Page:The ransom of Red Chief and other O. Henry stories for boys.djvu/256

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234 The Clarion Call

"I havenft forgotten," said Woods. "You counted out twenty fifties without a word. Fll pay it back some day. That thousand saved me and well, they were piling my furniture out on the sidewalk when I got back to the house."

"And so," continued Kernan, "you being Barney Woods, born as true as steel, and bound to play a white man's game, can't lift a finger to arrest the man you're indebted to. Oh, I have to study men as well as Yale locks and window fastenings in my business. Now, keep quiet while I ring for the waiter. I've had a thirst for a year or two that wor- ries me a little. If I'm ever caught the lucky sleuth will have to divide honours with old boy Booze. But I never drink during busi- ness hours. After a job I can crook elbows with my old friend Barney with a clear con- science. What are you taking?"

The waiter came with the little decanters and the siphon and left them alone again.

" You've called the turn," said Woods, as he rolled the little gold pencil about with a thoughtful forefinger. "I've got to pass you up. I can't lay a hand on you. If I'd a-paid that money back but I didn't, and that

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