He's mad--loon mad--over that girl.

I played the sympathy act, thinkin' of you--an' _her_.

He hinted at some easy money.
I let him understand that at the present writin' I'd be willing to take money most any way, and that I didn't have any particular likin' for you.
Then it come out.

He made me a proposition." Stevens lowered his voice, and stopped to peer again about the bush.
"Go on," urged Aldous.

"We're alone." Stevens bent so near that his tobacco-laden breath swept his companion's cheek.
"He said he'd replace my lost outfit if I'd put you out of the way some time day after to-morrow!" "Kill me ?" "Yes." For a few moments there was a silence broken only by their tense breathing.
Aldous had found the packer's hand.