Part 22 (1/2)

Jacob Cobb forthwith departed, going direct to a vault in one of the big banking inst.i.tutions. Procuring the money, he purchased three tickets for Jim Jones and wife and daughter. Returning with the tickets in his pocket, and the money safely lodged in the depths of an immense sack, he hiked it, with expeditious tread, to The Die; and thereat turned the sack, with its valuable contents, over to the lamentable Eli for secret delivery.

In the office. Jacob Cobb confronted Jim Dalls with the three tickets, which that gentleman refused, at first, to accept without the accompanying ”dough;” but being informed that that little feature of the transaction would be consummated through the faithful Eli, Jim returned to the store to be further set upon by more mysterious signs of secrecy as to the source of the money.

On entering the store, Jacob threw the sack, with all its preciousness, under a bundle of other similar sacks, and told Eli to offer it for sale to the man in the office, who would, in a moment, be along to make a purchase in that article of usefulness. So when Eli saw Jim Dalls approaching, not then being busy himself, he casually withdrew the sack, and laid it upon a table, and asked him if he did not want to purchase it. Only ten cents, he said, was asked for it. Didn't he want it in his line of business, whatever that might be? Jim caught the cue, of course, and paid the ten cents without protest. After obtaining it, he returned to the office.

”Good bye, Peter; good bye, Jacob,” he said, extending his hand. ”I'll be off this very day; but, remember, if I should run short in touring Europe, I expect more help from you two.”

”You dog!” howled Peter.

”Ah! you may 'you dog' all you want to now; I have you where I want you.

I will see that as long as you fellows play the game, I am properly cared for--so long, gentlemen.”

With these parting remarks, Jim Dalls took his leave; and in another twenty-four hours had vanished from his beaten tracks in the city that knew him so well. A newspaper announcement said that he had gone to Europe for his health.

Alter Jim Dalls left that day, the implacable Peter turned upon Jacob Cobb and said:

”We must raise the levy.”

”It's already reaching the high tide mark,” said Jacob.

”We will let her reach it; then we will let her ebb, after this sum is raised,” said Peter, rubbing his hands.

”But we may be drowned in the flow before it turns,” answered Jacob, with emphasis on the may.

”Let her drown,” replied Peter, resolutely.

”We'll go down in the wreck, if we get too reckless,” said Jacob, fearfully.

”Who cares?” responded Peter, inexorably.

”I care,” said Jacob, with some humility.

”I don't,” said the dogmatic Peter.

”But I have daughters and a son,” protested Jacob.

”No more than lots of other men,” replied the angry Peter, rubbing excitedly.

”But look at the difference?” now pleaded Jacob.

”There isn't any,” snapped Peter.

”Do you infer, Peter, that you will play false, too?” asked Jacob, seized with the impression that his fellow grafters would desert him.

”I infer nothing; I act,” said Peter, turning to look out his place of espial.

”You think you are safe?” said Jacob.

”I think nothing; I act. If I fail, I fail, and don't cry!” he shouted.