“It sounds like a real help—your story does,” he said. “I’m not of age to handle my own money, but I know that Mr. Gray, who is acting as the custodian of my money, will agree to give you——” he hesitated, partly to see how much Henry Morgan would name, and partly to plan in his own mind what to do. That they must have the name of a certain important figure in the bandit raid, cost how it might, Tom knew.
“Let’s not make it a set figure,” said Morgan, again surprising the trio. “’Cause why? ’Cause Hen Morgan has got a bigger stake to gain than what you could give. But you could help him to get it. And he could help you to get what you want. And so, everybody would be satisfied.”
“Agree?” asked Tom’s eyes, and the bent first finger that touched his right thumb. Nicky and Cliff signaled a “yes.”
“That’s reasonable,” Tom nodded. “What do you expect us to do?”
“All I ask is that you pay the expense of the search—and take me along!”
“That’s all?”
“Well, only, if I help you find that—certain fellow—and we do find him, and he tells me what I want to know too—you’ve got to sign a paper that you’ll help me to get to locate the Golden Sun——”
“The Golden Sun?” cried Nicky and Cliff together.
Henry nodded. “Yep,” he agreed, “The Golden Sun. It’s a mountain of gold, the way I understand about it. And I got as much right to it as this—other fellow. You’ll see why later on. But I’ve got to have your word—you, the one who wants to find his sister!—that you’ll help me—and maybe share with me in the mine, eh? ’Cause why? ’Cause Hen Morgan is generous, he is—and if you help him he’ll help you.”
“I pass my word,” said Tom, solemnly, and gripped hands with Morgan, just a little hesitantly at the contact with the soiled, rough paw.