Page:Caroline Lockhart--The Fighting Shepherdess.djvu/368

 "I'd get something out of it for my time and work, of course, but, mostly, Tm anxious to see a friend get hold of a good thing."

This fine spirit of disinterested solicitude met with no response.

completion of the project means considerable to the town ? '*
 * I presume it's equally true, Mr. Toomey, that the

" Considerable ! " with explosive vehemence. " It's got where it's a case of life or death. The coyotes'll be denning in the Security State Bank and the birds building nests in the Opera House in a year or two, if something don't turn up."

"How soon can you furnish me with the data you may have on hand?"

"About six minutes and four seconds, If I run," Toomey replied in humorous earnestness.

Prentiss's face did not relax.

"Get it and bring it to my room — at once." His voice was cold and businesslike, strongly reminiscent now of Kate's.