Page:Allan Dunn--Dead Man's Gold.djvu/56

42 "Wild-goose or wildcat, I'm not going to take in my friends, whichever way it turns out. I'll have enough."

He had a telegram in his pocket that answered satisfactorily his appeal for an advance on his slender income. Redfern's bill made quite a hole in it but, providing Healy raised his loan, Stone had enough for his own share of the expenses, and some over to help with Lefty's. Though, without definite announcement from Healy as to their destination, he could not figure exactly.

Healy made the most of his brief authority, preserving a mysterious air of leadership that did not especially annoy Stone, but galled Lefty.

"'Oo in 'ell does 'e think 'e is?" the Englishman would protest. "Watch me git heven later on, that's all. Crimy, 'e gits me so I'd like to bash 'is bloomin' mug for 'im!"

Stone saw the dangers of this growing friction and argued Lefty at least into moderation. Until the trove was found and plans made for fair division, their mutual interests called for peace, and Stone said so.

"Just so long as 'e travels square," agreed Lefty. "But 'e's too bloody cocky, and if I hever get a chance to trim 'is comb for 'im, 'e'll never know 'e 'ad one."

Not until they got to the depot did Healy break his reticence on the subject of their route. They toted only personal baggage, waiting to get what outfit was necessary at the other end. Instead of buying to some point in Arizona or New Mexico, as