Lucky Jim's whimsical smile faded.
"Why, Dad, twice a couple o' tinhorns tried to put something over on me, but there wasn't enough gray matter mixed in with their stuff, which was pretty raw. It was easy money from Easy Money bar, Dad." He uncovered the five pokes of dust. "And there's the clean-up," he concluded.
The Adam's apple on the old man's throat worked up and down, and his eyes blurred.
"God bless yuh, Lucky Jim," he mumbled.
Lucky Jim started to carry the gold inside. On a plate on the table were a few soda biscuits. He shoved one into his mouth, then went after another sack. Dad carried in the remainder while Lucky Jim stuffed himself with biscuits.
The Dusty Diamond let loose two blasts with her siren.
"Is she going down today?" inquired Lucky Jim.
"That's her fifteen minute whistle," replied Dad. "She'll be the last boat to leave Totatla City this fall. I'd like to catch her. If you'll weigh me out that thousand dollars——"
Lucky Jim opened one of the sacks and did that. He poured the dust into the old man's poke.
"Now," said Dad, "I'll pay you for the grub. I guess I just about cleaned it up. How much was it?"