"In what way?"

"His connection is bad."

"With Dalton?"

"Yes. Dalton is either a knave or a fool. The former, I believe; but
in either case the result will be the same to his partner. Before
two years, unless a miracle takes place, you will see Eldridge, at
least, coming out at the little end of the horn. I could have told
him this at first, but it was none of my business. I never meddle
with things that don't concern me."

"You know Dalton, then?"

"I think I do."

"Has he been in business before?"

"Yes, half a dozen times; and somehow or other, he has always
managed to get out of it, with cash in hand, long enough before it
broke down to escape all odium and responsibility."

"I'm sorry for Eldridge. He's a clever young man, and honest into
the bargain."

"Yes; and he has energy of character and some business talents. But
he is too confiding. And here is just the weakness that will prove
his ruin. He will put too much faith in his plausible associate."