What will he do, say and look when he discovers
that the oyster of life is a hollow, empty, fraudulent shell?"
"You're raving, Garman!"
"Do you accept the challenge?"
"To the limit."
"Good boy! I knew you wouldn't disappoint me. The girl would have
been worth while, but adding you, Payne, you glimpsing a dream of a
fool's paradise, will be glorious!"
"You talk like a damn fool," said Payne bluntly.
Garman nodded, and with the nod his strange mood passed and he was the
business man again.
"All right. That's all of that for the present. Now, what are you up
against? What are your biggest problems?"
"Thanks, but I am not placing myself entirely in your hands, Garman."
"That's right; play safe. But I'm talking business now. You're
tackling a hard job here. What can I do to help?"
"There's only one thing I want you to do, Garman; that's to keep your
hands off this job, and to keep your men from interfering with me and
my men and the job, or anything connected with it."
"That's settled. Anything else?"
"That's all. It will save trouble for both of us if you'll do that."
Garman dismissed the matter as settled with a nod, and gathered up his
reins.
"Doing anything next Sunday afternoon?"
Payne thought for a moment.
"Yes; next Sunday I'll be going down the river to Gumbo Key.
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