"And the ten thousand dollars?" I asked.
"A thousand will be handed you tonight; the remainder may be retained at the final settlement, together with the compensation of the woman. You make your own terms with her; so you see you cannot lose. Sign here."
"I had forgotten the woman. Is she necessary?"
"It will be better to have one, as they know down there young Henley was lately married. Any good-looker, with an easy conscience, will do. You could coach her on the train."
"But I don't know a young woman in town," I admitted soberly, "except my landlady's daughter, and she 's the limit."
Vail and Neale both laughed.
"You 're slow, Craig," the former said good-humoredly. "I thought better of you than that. However, you will have all day tomorrow. Get on your new clothes, and look around. There 's plenty would jump at the chance."
I shook my head.
"That's altogether out of my line," I averred. "I 'd rather go alone."
"Well, we 'll not war over that. You can leave your wife North if you wish. I tell you what you do. Think it over, and call me up by 'phone about three o'clock tomorrow—here's the number. If you decide on taking a woman along I know one who will answer, and will have her at the train."