“I know. That's the queer part of it. He knows it with his eyes shut. He had some reason or other for puttin' up the bluff he did, an' I'd give just about ten round dollars to know what it was.”
“Better ask him.”
“Watch me. This ain't the kind o' thing you can talk out about. I know he knows, an' he knows I know; but he's down on me an' there's nothin' I can say—here, anyway.”
“What do you want o' me?”
“You're the right sort—you've got nerve an' a head on you. Help me carry this business through, an' I 'll divvy up with you—five hundred, sure, to start with.”
“What am I to do?”
“Nothin' hard. You've got a good stand in with Smiley. Just put in a word for me, so's he won't fire me before another trip, anyway. You fellows made a mistake this time in not standin' by me. I can do better by you than he can—a lot better. Help me to stay aboard for the next trip, an' I 'll hand you fifty right now for a sweetener.”
“Well, I 'll see what I can do.”
“I've got the fifty down below. I 'll get it.”
“Hold on—don't be in a hurry. You'd better see what I can do for you before you do any sweetenin'.”