The spectator., 1921-01-07


 somethin' worth while. But Harris 's no spring chicken. an you'll have t show him somethin' t his likin' before he loosens up."
 '1 don't care whether he loosens mp or not" said Gardiner. All care is that he brings the money, and brings 1t in bills. No checks. mind you. Get him out here with the cash on him. and I'll do the loosening up, if 1t comes to that"
 RileS was somewhat alarmed at the sinister turn of the conversation. He had no compunction about getting the better of his old neighbor, the man who had entrusted him with the dis charge of their joint mission. but he had considerable respect for the force, If not the principle, of the law. . You don't mean that you'd do any thln'-anythin' that wasn't right?" he said. 'T wouldn't want t get mixed up | in no scrape, v know" You mean that you think more of | your skin than you do of Harris coin. Well, there's no accounting for tastes
 
 you ought to know me better than that It will all be clean and above | board. and no violence if 1t can be helped. but if Harris Is unfortunate nobody's to blame for that. Of course, I if you're afraid to take sportsman's chance for one-half of 10000, call the deal off. I've got lots of other fish to | fry"
 "You don't understand" said Riles. "l ain't a'scaced but I don't want t l do nothin' that'll get us into trouble. | Harris is an old neighbor O mine, l an'-"
 "I understand perfectly. You wouldn't mind piece of Harris money served on a platter and wrapped in tissue paper, but you want somebody else to take the chances. Now. there won't be any chances to speak of, but l what there are you take your share. If that's bargain it's bargain. and l if it isn't we'll talk about the weather. What d'you say?"
 Its bargain said Riles, "provid- ed your plan'u work out" Its got to work out It's like going up in a halloon-if it doesn't work out it's all off with the engineer. You got to take the chance. Hiram, and then make good on the chance" Riles chewed vigorously at his to- bacco Explain how you're goin' to pull it off" he said. "an' then I'll tell l you yes or mo-"
 Not on your life" said Gardiner. "I don't show my hand until I know who's sitting across"
 There was silence for one-half a mile. while Riles turned the matter over In his mind He was naturally a coward. but he was equally a money grabber, and It was one instinct against the other. Avarice won It. and at length he extended his hand to Gar diner. I'm in on anythin' you're in l on" he said.
 That sounds like it." said Gardiner I with enthusiasm. Now the whole things simple as A B c, and not half | as dangerous as running traction en- | zine or breaking a hroncho. It all rests on getting him out here with the money, and that's where you come in. I don't mind telling you if 1t wasn't for the help you can give there I'd handle the ioh myself, and save divid- ing the proceeds"
 "Yes, that's the point. all right" said Ries. somewhat dubiously. How're we goin to get him out here with all that money?"
 Think, Riles,". said Gardiner, pufr- ing complacently at fresh cigar. Think hard"
 Riles wrinkled his forehead and spat | copiously at the front hub. but the in- spiration would not come. "I give 1t up" he said at last, You'll have t plan 1t. an I'll carry 1t out
 That's what comes of hard work, Hiram; you lose all your imagination. Right now you haven't any more i'm agination than cabbage. Now. could suggest dozen schemes to suit the purpose If l had to. but one will | do. Suppose this:
 "These mountains up here are full l of coal--more coal than can be burnt 1 in a million years. It's bad road in, | but once you get there you'll see 1t ly- ing in seams. 10. l5, 20 feet thick, and stretching right through the rocks as far as you will like to follow 1t. 1 That coal's going to make a bunch of millionaires some day. but not until you can get at it with something big ger than cayuse. But railroads come fast in this country, and there's no saying how soon a man might cash in if he invested just now" You amt goin f wait till rail | road comes, are you? We'll like enough be dead by that time." 1TO BE CONTINUED)