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Plank looked at him

"I told you once that I'd let you knohen to step up and say 'Good evening' didn't I?"

Plank continued to stare

"Didn't I?" repeated Morti to lose countenance

"I don't understand you," said Plank, "and I don't think I want to understand you"

"What do you mean?" deirl!" but he shrank dishted Plank's blue eyes

"All right," he sta away; "I thought you meant business I--what the devil do I care who youfor you, or for anybody else! Mark that, my friend I've plenty to worry over; I've a lot to keep ure out how to do kindnesses to old friends Daazed at hier in his face had died out

"I a except that, Leroy I am not disloyal, no matter what else I may be But you have made a bad mistake You made it that day at Black Fells when you offered to interfere I supposed you understood then that I could never tolerate fro of such a nature It appears that you didn't However, you understand it now So let us forget the matter"

But Morti misunderstood, squeezed some moisture out of his distended eyes, and sat down, a ulped, "that you, of all men, should turn on me like this!"

"I didn't mean to Can't you understand, Leroy, that you hurt me?"

"Hurt hell!" retorted Mortimer vindictively "You've had sensation battered out of you by this ti you over the outworks Don't play that old con gaet her and you couldn't Now I co and offer to put you next and you yell about your hurt feelings! Oh, splash! There's another lady, that's all"

"Let it go at that, then," said Plank, reddening

"But I tell you--"

"Drop it!" snapped Plank

"Oh, very well! if you're going to take it that way again--"

"I aoing when I met you?"

"What do you want to know for?" asked Mortimer sullenly

"Why, I'll tell you, Leroy If you have any idea of identifying yourself with Quarrier's people, of seeking hi any money in his schemes, you had better not do so"