Or," he
added, confidentially, "would you like to cut the whole cussed
thing, and I'll get out Jim's 2.32 trotter and his spider-legged
buggy and we'll take a spin over to the Springs afore dinner?" It
was, however, more convenient to Carroll's purpose to conceal his
familiarity with the Aladdin treasures, and to politely offer to
follow his guide through the house. "I reckon Jim's pretty busy
just now," continued the stranger; "what with old Doc West going
under so suddent, just ez he'd got things boomin' with that
railroad and his manufactory company. The stocks went down to
nothing this morning; and, 'twixt you and me, the boys say," he
added, mysteriously sinking his voice, "it was jest the tightest
squeeze there whether there wouldn't be a general burst-up all
round. But Jim was over at San Antonio afore the Doctor's body was
laid out; just ran that telegraph himself for about two hours; had
a meeting of trustees and directors afore the Coroner came; had the
Doctor's books and papers brought over here in a buggy, and another
meeting before luncheon. Why, by the time the other fellows began
to drop in to know if the Doctor was really dead, Jim Prince had
discounted the whole affair two years ahead. Why, bless you,
nearly everybody is in it. That Spanish woman over there, with the
pretty daughter--that high-toned Greaser with the big house--you
know who I mean." . . .
"I don't think I do," said Carroll, coldly. "I know a lady named
Saltonstall, with several daughters.
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