"It's worth a thousand dollars to me not to miss my boat."

"Wait a minute." Padden emptied the unconscious man's pockets,
among other things of some telegrams and a legally folded paper.
The latter he opened and scanned swiftly, then turned his little
eyes upon Locke without a word, whereupon that gentleman, with
equal silence, took from his inside pocket a wallet, and selected
a bill, the denomination of which he displayed to the; proprietor
before folding it inside the bundle he held.

"Here! It may cost you something."

Padden nodded and accepted the money, saying:

"Oh, I guess I can fix it. I know the right doctor." He regained
his feet, then warned the onlookers: "But you'll have to keep your
traps closed, understand?"

"Will he die?" asked Ringold, fearfully, his back still against
the door.

"Not a chance. But if he does he'll never know who hit him. You
see, we picked him up in the alley and brought him in." Padden
winked meaningly. "It happens right along in this part of town. Do
you get me? I'll keep these." He indicated the badge and papers in
his hand. "Now go out as if nothing had come off. Drop in again
the next time you're in town. I'll take care of the supper
checks."