added, "and you'll not see any of it again until you answer me a few
questions, and answer them straight."

"If you think you can roll me for blackmail," he came back with some
decision, "you're left a mile."

"I don't want a cent; but I do want a talk."

"Shoot," said he.

"How often do you have to have this dope--for the best results; and how
much of it at a shot?"

He stared at me for a moment, then laughed.

"What's it to yuh?" he repeated his formula.

"I want to know."

"I get to needing it about once a day. Three grains will carry me by."

"All right; that's what I want to know. Now listen to me. I'm custodian
of this dope, and you'll get your regular ration as long as you stick
with me."

"I can always hop a train. This ain't the only hamlet on the map," he
reminded me.

"That's always what you can do if you find we can't work together.
That's where you've got me if my proposition doesn't sound good."