"Of course you can't," declared Murgatroyd, doing everything in his power to foster Siwash Charley's hard feelings, "it wouldn't be like you to forget a thing like that, Siwash. I guess you haven't weakened to that extent."
Siwash Charley swore under his breath, replaced the bandage, and pulled down the sleeve of his coat.
"Will you help me?" went on the broker. "I've got to have your promise, before I can tell you the plan I've thought out."
"Yes, I'll help you," answered the ruffian.
"And you know of two trustworthy men you can get to go with you?"
"I could pick up a dozen game fellers right here in this man's town all inside o' fifteen minutes. They're fellers, mind ye, who'd run the risk o' puttin' their necks in a noose fer twenty-five plunks."
"Those are the men we want. You're not to tell them anything about me, mind."
"That's allers yer game, Murg," and something like discontent pulsed in Siwash Charley's hoarse voice; "ye don't seem ter hev the sand ter stand up an' face the music."
"I can't afford to. How long do you think my loan business would last if I was found out in a job like this? You've got to screen me, Siwash."
"I'll promise ter do that, an' I ain't goin' ter let no one find out that I'm mixed up in it, either, if I kin help. Go ahead."