gave me mine now. It isn't exactly the same, for maybe you wouldn't
lose your life. You've been devilishly lucky, and gotten through more
narrow places than I'd ever give you credit for.

"So it may seem that I'm not quite squaring the account, but it's all I
can do--now. I'm going to give you your chance. I'm not going to ask
you any questions. You know what you know and I know what I know.
Now, Spotty, streak it out of town as fast as a train can take you,
and--_don't come back_!"

Spotty Morgan made little wet rings on the table with his empty glass.
A waiter, hovering near by, caught the glint of his eye and brought the
liquor. Then Spotty, after a libation, spoke.

"Colonel," he said slowly, "most of what you has been spielin' is like
the lawyer guys git off in court. I don't quite tumble, but I take it
you mean you're goin' t' let me go."

"That's it, Spotty! I'm going to let you go this time!"

"No double crossin'?"

"You know me better than that! I'll give you twenty-four hours to get
out of town. After that I may happen to know more than I know now, and
it would be my duty--whether I'm officially on the case or not--to
arrest you.

"But now you're free. It's your life and liberty for mine--maybe not
quite an even exchange, since you'd have more than even chances if it
came to a trial, I suppose. But it's the best I can do. I'm giving