“What can I do about it?” asked Gamble.
“I want you to help me draw them up.”
“But I don't know anything about machine oil.”
“You cannot possibly know less than I do,” said the Lieutenant. “Surely, if you have been in the oil business, you can give me some sort of an idea about machine oil.”
Gamble thought for a minute. “I might try,” he said. “But would it be the proper thing for me to do? Of course, I'm out of the business myself; but I have friends who might bid for the contract.”
“Well, your friends can take their chances with the rest,” said the Lieutenant. “I am a friend, too, hang it. And how in the world am I to find out anything about oil?”
Gamble was silent again. “Well, I'll do what I can for you,” he said, finally. “I'll write out what I know about the qualities of good oil, and you can use it as you think best.”
“All right,” said the Lieutenant, with relief.
“But you'll have to agree to say nothing about it,” said Gamble. “It's a delicate matter, you understand.”
“You may trust me for that,” said the other, laughing. So the subject was dropped, and they went on with their ride.