"And now don't stand foolin' with us, Barker boy; but just trot off like a little man, and get your grip on that fortune; and when you've got your hooks in it hang on like grim death.

You'll"-- he hesitated for an instant only, possibly to find the laugh that should have accompanied his speech--"you're sure to find US here when you get back." Hurt to the quick, but restraining his feelings, Barker clapped his hat on his head and walked quickly away.

The two partners stood watching him in silence until his figure was lost in the underbrush.

Then they spoke.
"Like him--wasn't it ?" said Demorest.
"Just him all over," said Stacy.
"Think of him having that stock stowed away all these years and never even bothering his dear old head about it!" "And think of his wanting to put the whole thing into this rotten hillside with us!" "And he'd have done it, by gosh! and never thought of it again.

That's Barker." "Dear old man!" "Good old chap!" "I've been wondering if one of us oughtn't to have gone with him?
He's just as likely to pour his money into the first lap that opens for it," said Stacy.
"The more reason why we shouldn't prevent him, or seem to prevent him," said Demorest almost fiercely.