outside he pulled, and the snib slid into place. But he left the
string on the ground outside. I picked it up nex' day and
guessed the racket he'd been on. I tried the same business and
brought off the deal."

"It sounds wonderful and yet impossible," cried Braddock, rubbing
his bald head and walking excitedly to and fro. "See here, I'll
come along with you and see how it's done."

"You bet you won't, unless you shell out. See here"--Hervey
leaned forward--"from that window business it's plain that no
one inside the shanty corpsed your pal. The chap as did it
entered and left by the window, and made tracks with that old
corp you want. Now you pass along five hundred pounds--that's
English currency, I reckon--and I'll smell round for the
robber."

"And where do you think I can obtain five hundred pounds?" asked
the Professor very dryly.

"Well, I guess if that blamed corpse is worth it, you'll be
willing to trade. Y'don't live in this shanty for nothing."

"My good friend, I have enough to live on, and obtain this house
at a small rent on account of its isolation. But I can no more
find the sum of five hundred pounds than fly."

Hervey rose and straightened his legs.

"Then I guess I'd best be getting back to Pierside."