"And the Lord have mercy on your soul, Jim Cummings, if you or your mate
play us false."

"No fear of that, Doctor," replied the train robber. "You'll find me
true blue at any rate--you're a man after my own heart. I wish I had
known you sooner."

"Why?"

"Because, last October I did a little job and was almost nabbed because
one of my pals weakened."

Moriarity looked somewhat confused, but apparently not noticing it (but
in reality nothing escaped the hawk eyes of the disguised detective) the
Doctor said:

"Last October! By Jove, you ARE the Jim Cummings that did up the Adams
Express Co. The papers were full of it. If there is any man I have
wanted to meet it is you." And the Doctor with great enthusiasm grasped
the express robber's hand with every expression of intense admiration
beaming from his eyes.

His vanity tickled by this expression of homage, Cummings drew himself
to his full height, and replied:

"Well, yes, I did that work, and if you will stick by me we can work
another one just as good."

"I'm with you, and when I say 'I,' it means Scip, too, for he is a
treasure."