“Nice day, boys!” he shouted familiarly. “Would like to see you two for a minute.”
To Phil’s inquiring eyes, he appeared slightly flustered.
“Come in here!” said Jim, beckoning him to the inner office, where Phil followed, closing the door behind him.
“You fellows have a pretty fine lay-out here,” the Mayor began, chewing at his cigar.
“Pretty fine!”
“Guess you’ve got us all skinned now, Phil. Wouldn’t like to take me in on that old fifty-fifty proposition?” he inquired sarcastically.
“If you have come in on any funny stuff,” answered Phil, rising, “then you’d better get outside. We haven’t the time for it.”
“Shucks! Don’t get sore! I don’t want to make you mad to-day. I’ve had a scrap with the bank this morning and I’m going to make them sit up for a while and guess.”
“That is quite a big proposition.”
“All the better! I hear you folks have lots of money to loan?” he queried.