Веснянки
Chapter IV
“Ifyoureallywanttobraceupandbeamanandgointothethingforkeeps,youcanmakefivetimesthatinaweek.Myfriendknowsadozenotherswecouldgetoutinafewdays,andallyou’dhavetodowouldbetokeepoutofsight.Thenyoucouldtakeyourmoneyandskipsomenight,andbeginlifelikeagentlemansomewhereelse.Whatdoyouthinkaboutit?”
Frecklespurredlikeakitten.
“’TwouldbeararejokeontheBoss,”hesaid,“tobestalin’fromhimtheverythinghe’strustedmetoguard,andbegettingmewagesallwinterthrowedinfree.Andyou’remakingthepayawfulhigh.Metobegettingfivehundredforsuchasimplelittlethingasthat.You’retratingmemostroyalindade!It’sawaybeyondallI’dbeexpecting.Sivinteencintswouldbeabigpriceforthatjob.Itmustbelookedintothorough.JustyouwaithereuntilIdoaminute’sturnintheswamp,andthenI’llbeeschortingyououtoftheclearingandgivingyoutheanswer.”
Frecklesliftedtheoverhangingbushesandhurriedtothecase.Heunslungthespecimen-boxandlaiditinsidewithhishatchetandrevolver.HeslippedthekeyinhispocketandwentbacktoWessner.
“Nowfortheanswer,”hesaid.“Standup!”
Therewasironinhisvoice,andhewascommandingasanoutragedgeneral.“Anything,youwanttobetakingoff?”hequestioned.
Wessnerlookedtheastonishmenthefelt.“Why,no,Freckles,”hesaid.
“HavethegoodnesstobecallingmeMisterMcLean,”snappedFreckles.
