But the negro did
not notice that he had placed himself so that a heavy glass paper-weight
was just hidden by his right leg.
"Better take a seat yourself," continued Dick cordially. "Might as
well be comfortable. How are the wife and babies?"
The negro showed his teeth in a broad grin as he dropped into the
revolving chair Dick had just vacated. "Dey's well, tank yo' kindly
sah." Then as he looked at the young man's careless attitude and smiling
face, he burst forth, admiringly: "Dey done tole me as how yo' wor'
a cool cuss an' mighty bad to han'le; but fo' God I nebber seed nothin'
like hit. Aint yo' skeered'?"
Dick threw up his head and laughed heartily. "Sure I'm scared," he
said. "Don't you see how I'm shaking? I expect I'll faint in a minute
if you don't put up that gun."
The negro scowled fiercely. "No yo' don't. Yo' kan't come dat on dis
chile. Dat gun stay pinted jus' lak she is; an' hit goes off too ef
yo' don' do what I says, mighty sudden."
"Just as you say," replied Dick, cheerfully. "But what do you want me
to do?"
"I wants yo' to unlock dat air safe."
"Can't do it. I don't know the combination."
"Huh," the negro grunted. "Yo' kan't gib me no such guff es dat.
Move sudden now."
"You're making a mistake," said Dick, earnestly. "I have only desk
room here. I don't work for Mr. Wicks, and have no business with the
safe. Besides, they don't keep money there anyway."
"Taint money I'm after dis trip, mistah; hit's papers.
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