“Of course, whatever you want from me——” Dicky broke in.
“What you can spare,” Haddon said. “The parents ask twenty thousand francs, but they’ll take half that easy. Just now the boy’s too sick to escape.”
“Count on me for at least half of whatever it costs,” Dicky said.
Haddon’s eyes widened. Ames looked astonished.
“I’ve heard Cobden is rich, Ames,” Haddon explained.
The gray one came closer and examined Dicky’s face. “I heard it, too,” he said. “You really mean this?”
“I would give you the amount now, but I understand that you aren’t sure what it will be. I know Melton. I’m glad to help, of course.”
“I’ve heard you were rich, too,” Ames repeated slowly. “But I didn’t believe it.”
“Why not?”
“You’re too good a newspaper man,” said Ames. “I didn’t think a man could have real money and be as good a newspaper man as you.”