I'll see!" He rose and began to drag out a well-worn valise from under his bunk.

"You see," he continued, "they were given to me by an old chap in return--" "For saving his life by delaying the Stockton boat that afterward blew up," returned Demorest briefly.

"We know it all! His hair was white, and his hand trembled slightly as he laid these shares in yours, saying, and you never forgot the words, 'Take 'em, young man--and'-- " "For lending him two thousand dollars, then," continued Barker with a simple ignoring of the interruption, as he quietly brought out the valise.
"TWO THOUSAND DOLLARS!" repeated Stacy.

"When did YOU have two thousand dollars ?" "When I first left Sacramento--three years ago," said Barker, unstrapping the valise.
"How long did you have it ?" said Demorest incredulously.
"At least two days, I think," returned Barker quietly.

"Then I met that man.