"Dave, you're altogether too rough on a fellow that's in hard
luck," remonstrated Greg, then turned to Martin to add:

"Hi, it's no use to go chasing Ted Teall, but I'll tell you what
I'll do. I'm all dressed now, and I'll go straight to your house
and get some clothes for you, so you can come out of these woods
and walk home. I'll do it for half a dollar."

"Thank you, Holmesy, I'll do it," Martin eagerly promised. "And
I'll thank you, too, from the bottom of my-----"

"You can keep the thanks," proposed Greg gravely. "But you can
hand over the half dollar."

"E-e-eh?" stammered Hi, nonplussed, rubbing one hand, for an instant,
over his naked thigh in the usual neighborhood of the trousers'
pocket.

"Fork over the half dollar!" Greg insisted. "This is a strictly
cash-in-advance proposition."

"Why, you---you---you-----" stuttered Hi in his wrath. "How
can I pay in advance when Ted Teall is a mile away from here with
my---my trousers and all?"

"Cash right in hand, or I don't stir on your job," insisted Greg.

"I---I'll pay you a whole dollar as soon as I can get home," Hi
offered eagerly.