"New England."
"Ever been south?"
"Only as far as St. Louis. I was at Jefferson Barracks."
"Neale said you were in the army--full enlistment?"
"Yes; discharged as corporal."
"Ah; what regiment?"
"Third Cavalry."
His black eyes swept across toward Neale, his fingers drumming
nervously on the leather arm of the chair.
"Exactly; then your service was in Oregon and the Philippines. Tramped
some since, I understand--broke?"
"No," shortly, not greatly enjoying his style of questioning. "I 've
got three dollars."
"A magnificent sum," chuckling. "However, the point is, you would be
glad of a job that paid well, and would n't mind if there was a bit of
excitement connected with it--hey?"
"What is your idea of paying well?"
"Expenses liberally figured," he replied slowly, "and ten thousand
dollars for a year's work, if done right."
I half rose to my feet in surprise, believing he was making sport, but
the fellow never moved or smiled.
"Sit down, man. This is no pipe dream, and I mean it. In fact, I am
willing to hand you half of the money down. That 's all right, Neale,"
he added as the other made a gesture of dissent. "I know my business,
and enough about men to judge Craig here for that amount. That we are
in earnest we have got to assure him someway, and money talks best.
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