The eyebrow was raised with a deprecatory, inquiring look.
"Why, Fletcher, sharp's the word, is it?"
"That's what you said, when we started."
"Suppose I pay you the notes and a thousand or two more, and we call it square? Then you salt down what you got."
"And you propose to haul off from operating?"
"Well, no, I can't say I do. I may try the bulls another fall or two. But you haven't anything else. If we lose, you are smashed. I have other property to fall back on."
"So it's merely to do me a kindness and make me safe and snug that you propose to keep back the six thousand that belong to me?"
"You put it rather strong, youngster. I didn't agree to pay till the scheme was carried out. But we've done better than we 'xpected, and, to take you out of danger, I offered to pay part down. In a business as ticklish as stocks, you don't expect a man to come down with the ready without a consideration?"
"You know you could never have kept the run of the market, if it hadn't been for me; and the ten per cent. is no more than a fair share. This isn't a matter of dollars altogether, though dollars are useful, but of information, activity, brains."
"Well, remember, young man, I offer you now twelve thousand. If anything happens, don't squawk nor play baby."