you pinched."

"I'll take a chance, if you will," said Corliss, now assuming, as
Fadeaway had intended, the rôle of leader in the proposed robbery.

"How you expect to get clear--when they find it out?"

"I could get old man Soper to hide me out till I could get to Sagetown.
He'll do anything for money. I could be on the Limited before the news
would get to Antelope."

"And if you got pinched, first thing you'd sing out 'Fadeaway,' and
then me for over the road, eh?"

"Honest, Fade. I'll swear that I won't give you away, even if I get
caught. Here's my hand on it."

"Give me nine hundred and I'll go you," said Fadeaway, shaking hands
with his companion.

Corliss hesitated. Was the risk worth but half the money involved?
"Five's a whole lot, Fade."

"Well, seein' you're goin' to do the gettin' at it, why, mebby I'd risk
it for five hundred. I dunno."

"You said you'd stand by a pal, Fade. Now's your chance."

"All right. See here, Bill. You cut out the booze all you can to-day.
Foot it out to the Beaver Dam to-night and I'll have a hoss for you.