"Ah, that was my price at my last offer, Mr.Barker," he said suavely; "but, you see, things are going up since then." The keenest duplicity is apt to fail before absolute simplicity.

Barker, thoroughly believing him, and already a little frightened at his own presumption--not for the amount of the money involved, but from the possibility of his partners refusing his gift utterly--quickly took advantage of this LOCUS PENITENTIAE.

"No matter, then," he said hurriedly; "perhaps I had better consult my partners first; in fact," he added, with a gratuitous truthfulness all his own, "I hardly know whether they will take it of me, so I think I'll wait." Carter was staggered; this would clearly not do! He recovered himself with an insinuating smile.

"You pulled me up too short, Mr.Barker; I'm a business man, but hang it all! what's that among friends?
If you reckoned I GAVE MY WORD at two hundred--why, I'm there! Say no more about it--the claim's yours.

I'll make you out a bill of sale at once." "But," hesitated Barker, "you see I haven't got the money yet, and--" "Money!" echoed Carter bluntly, "what's that among friends?
Gimme your note at thirty days--that's good enough for ME.