I may add that--er--certified checks will--er--be
accepted."
For two hours the colonel, with the occasional objurgatory
assistance of his partner, talked, begged argued, threatened, and
even wept. By the end of that time his tongue was making sounds
like a muffled castanet, and his resolution was scorched out of him.
"You've got us," he croaked. "Here's your checks. Give me the
water."
"In proper and legal form, please," said Average Jones.
He produced a contract and a fountain-pen. The contract was duly
signed and witnessed. It provided for the transfer of the water, in
consideration of one revolver and ten thousand dollars in checks.
These checks were endorsed over to A. V. R. E. Jones, whereupon he
turned over the pail of water and the largest canteen to the parched
miners. Then, sorting out the checks, he pocketed two aggregating
five thousand dollars, tore up three, and holding the other in his
hand, turned to Captain Funcke.
"Will five hundred dollars pay you for keeping young Hoff down here
a couple of months and making the beginning of a man of him?" he
asked.
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