Page:Harry Castlemon - The Steel Horse.djvu/56

 in his usual tone of voice. "This is a fair, square and honest transaction, as I understand it. "If it isn't—"

"Of course; of course it is. But don't publish it. Be in a hurry, for a policeman might happen along."

"Let him happen. We haven't done anything to make us afraid of a policeman."

"There it is. Now hand out the twenty-five dollars."

As soon as the fingers of Joe Wayring's right hand closed about the article in question, he took the other hand out of his pocket; but he brought it forth empty. "I am very glad to see that you are not afraid to trust a humble member of the noble fraternity of wheelmen," said he, as he lifted the catch and opened the purse. "Now, when I take this money to its owner in the morning, he will pay the reward out of what it contains, won't he? Well, I'll do the same by you, and you may trust me to tell him (I am a wheelman, you know) that I have already paid twenty-five dollars to—" Hallo! Where are you going? A bargain is a