you this chance. I'd be a dirty dog if I didn't. But remember this,
Spotty! I give you only one chance, just as you gave me--just as you
took one and saved me. If I see you again, and this thing hangs over
you, I may have to pull you up."

"All right, Colonel. That's a square deal. But don't worry. You
won't see me if I see you first. I didn't dream you'd be after me so
soon for the job I only done last night. I'd oughter cleared out, but
I was waitin' for a pal, an--Oh, well, it was just like you to come
around early."

"Man, don't you understand? I'm not after you! I didn't for an
instant think you had a hand in it until just now. And I'm not
admitting, even yet, that you did have. I haven't done a tap of work
on the case, and I'm not going to. My advise to you is to get out of
town before I may get into this thing against my will. Skip, Spotty!
It's the only way I can pay my debt to you!"

The colonel made as though to hold out his hand to the freckle-faced
man opposite him, and then changed the motion of his arm and picked up
his glass.

"Skip, Spotty!" he murmured again.

"All right, Colonel, I will! I know when the goin's good. So long.
And--thanks!"

Spotty, still talking through the corner of his mouth, gave a quick
glance around the room and slid out of a side door like an eel,
disappearing into the rain and mist.