"Observe--I said after it's tested!"

"I don't think he knows anything," said Fred. "I think he guessed a
lot, and wants to look, and can't afford to pay his own expenses.
Isn't that it?"

"What do you mean?" demanded Coutlass.

"I can't talk Greek," said Fred. "Shall I say it again in English?"

"You may name any reasonable price," said Monty, "for real information.
Put it in writing. When we're agreed on the price, put that in
writing too. Then, if we find the information is even approximately
right, why, we'll pay for it."

"Ah-h-h! You intend to play a trick on me! You use my information!
You find the ivory! You go out by the Congo River and the other coast,
and I kiss myself good-by to you and ivory and money! I am to be what
d'you call it?--a milk-pigeon!"

"Being that must be some sensation!" nodded Yerkes.

"I warn you I can not be tampered with!" snarled the Greek, putting on
his hat with a flourish. "I leave you, for you to think it over! But
I tell you this--I promise you--I swear! Any expedition in search of
that ivory that does not include Georges Coutlass on his own terms is a
delusion--a busted flush--smashed--exploded--pfff !--so--evanesced
before the start! My address is Zanzibar! Every street child knows
me! When you wish to know my terms, tell the first man or child you
meet to lead you to the house where Georges Coutlass lives! Good