Then there's Speedy. Do you know him well?"
"No, I do not," said I.
"Well, of course he can vamoose with the entire
speculation, if he chooses," pursued the captain, "and
if he don't I can't see but what you've got to support
and bed and board with him to the end of time. I guess
it would weary me. Then there's Mr. Pinkerton, of
course. He's been a good friend to you, hasn't he?
Stood by you, and all that? and pulled you through for
all he was worth?"
"That he has," I cried; "I could never begin telling
you my debt to him!"
"Well, and that's a consideration," said the captain.
"As a matter of principle, I wouldn't look at this
business at the money. "Not good enough," would be my
word. But even principle goes under when it comes to
friends--the right sort, I mean. This Pinkerton is
frightened, and he seems sick; the medico don't seem to
care a cent about his state of health; and you've got
to figure how you would like it if he came to die.
Remember, the risk of this little swindle is all yours;
it's no sort of risk to Mr.
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