CHAPTER XXVIII.
SPARWICK LAYS DOWN THE LAW.
Bogle and Raikes exchanged quick glances which Sparwick did not see. The latter was by far the tallest and strongest of the three. Doubtless this fact was taken into consideration by his companions.
“Keep cool,” expostulated Bogle. “No need to fly into a temper. We want to discuss this thing peaceably.”
“That’ll suit me,” said Sparwick. “I’m to have square dealing, then, am I?”
“Of course you are,” assured Raikes.
“It depends on what you call square,” hastily added Bogle. “I hope you’ll look at it the same way we do. In the first place, Sparwick, you want to remember that Raikes and I have had all the trouble and expense of working this thing up. It was planned weeks ago; and look what we had to contend with before we got the lad in our hands. Would it be fair for you to chip in and demand a big slice out of our hard-earned reward?”
There was no reply. Sparwick gazed straight at the table. There was an expression on his face which his companions neither noticed nor understood.
“I see you are taking a sensible view of it,” resumed Bogle. “To come right to the point, this is what Raikes and I will do: When the matter is settled and we lay our hands on the money, we will give you five hundred dollars—the original sum you had counted on getting. The condition attached to this is that you remain here while Raikes is in New York, and help me to guard these three lads. I’ll admit that Raikes promised you a thousand dollars, but he did that before he had a chance to consult me. That’s what I call square dealing. How does it strike you?”