"I am Georges Coutlass! My courage is known! No man can rob me and get away with it!" "My good man," drawled Monty, raising his eyebrows in the comfortless way he has when there seems need of facing an inferior antagonist.

(He hates to "lord it" as thoroughly as he loves to risk his neck.) "I would not rob you if you owned the earth! If you have valuable information I'll pay for it cheerfully after it's tested." "Ah! Now you talk!" "Observe--I said after it's tested!" "I don't think he knows anything," said Fred.

"I think he guessed a lot, and wants to look, and can't afford to pay his own expenses.
Isn't that it ?" "What do you mean ?" demanded Coutlass.
"I can't talk Greek," said Fred.

"Shall I say it again in English ?" "You may name any reasonable price," said Monty, "for real information.
Put it in writing.

When we're agreed on the price, put that in writing too.