Well, I've done both. Maybe you think it is easy to give up this
stuff. There is a half million dollars' worth of nice little things in
that box, small as it is. I went to a lot of trouble to get 'em, and
all I'll receive for my pains is a thank you from Mr. Thomas K.
Barnes, New York."
"I cannot begin to thank you enough," said Barnes. "See here, you must
allow me to reward you in some way commensurate with your--"
"Cut that out," said Sprouse darkly. "I'm not so damned virtuous that
I have to be rewarded. I like the game. It's the breath of life to
me."
"The time will surely come when I can do you a good turn, Sprouse, and
you will not find me reluctant," said Barnes, lamely. He was
completely at a loss in the presence of the master-crook. He felt very
small, and stupid, and inadequate,--as one always feels when
confronted by genius. Moreover, he was utterly stupefied.
"That's different. If I ever need a friendly hand I'll call on you.
It's only fair that I should give you a tip, Barnes, just to put you
on your guard. I've lived up to my word in this business, and I've
done all that I said I would. From now on, I'm a free agent. I want to
advise you to put that stuff in a safe place.
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