You make your own terms with her; so you see you cannot lose. Sign
here."
"I had forgotten the woman. Is she necessary?"
"It will be better to have one, as they know down there young Henley
was lately married. Any good-looker, with an easy conscience, will do.
You could coach her on the train."
"But I don't know a young woman in town," I admitted soberly, "except
my landlady's daughter, and she 's the limit."
Vail and Neale both laughed.
"You 're slow, Craig," the former said good-humoredly. "I thought
better of you than that. However, you will have all day tomorrow. Get
on your new clothes, and look around. There 's plenty would jump at
the chance."
I shook my head.
"That's altogether out of my line," I averred. "I 'd rather go alone."
"Well, we 'll not war over that. You can leave your wife North if you
wish. I tell you what you do. Think it over, and call me up by 'phone
about three o'clock tomorrow--here's the number. If you decide on
taking a woman along I know one who will answer, and will have her at
the train."
"I am to leave then tomorrow night?"
"Yes, over the Eastern Illinois, at 8:10."
There was a moment's silence; then he rustled the paper on the table,
and held out a fountain pen.
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