"Do I look like I'd fool with cheap skates, Haines? They're the real people. I think, Haines, that either Senator Stevens or Senator Peabody would advise you that you are safe."
"Ah! Then Stevens and Peabody are the ones. They'll make it Altacoola, then sell to the Government at a big advance and move to 'Easy Street.'"
"That's right," agreed Norton.
Bud Haines straightened abruptly. The expression on his face gave
Norton a sudden chill—made him tremble.
"Now I've got you," cried the secretary. "You've given yourself dead away. I've known all along you're a d—d thief, Norton, and you've just proved it to me yourself."
"What do you mean?" Norton was clenching his fist. "Words like that mean fight to a Southerner!"
"I mean that before Senator Langdon goes one step further in this matter he shall know that his colleagues and you are thieves, Mr. Norton, trying to use him for a cat's-paw to steal for them from the Government. I suspected something this morning when Gulf City tried to bribe me and a visitor from there gave me what turns out to be a pretty good tip."
"So that was your dirty trick," exclaimed the Congressman as he regained his composure.
"Set a make-believe thief to catch a real one," laughed the secretary.
"Very good trick, I think."
"I'll make you pay for that!" cried Norton, shaking his fist.