I'd rather keep the Basin. If we could stop
Orde----"
"I'll stop him," said Oldham.
"I hope," said Baker impressively, "that you have more than one string
to your bow. I am not inquiring into your methods, you understand"--his
pause was so significantly long at this point, that Oldham nodded--"_but
your sole job is to keep Orde out of court_."
Baker looked his agent squarely in the eye for fifteen seconds. Then
abruptly he dropped his gaze.
"That's all," said he, and reached for some papers.
XXIV
Oldham obeyed his principal's orders by joining Bob on the train back to
the city. He dropped down by the young man's side, produced a cigar
which he rolled between his lips, but did not light, and at once opened
up the subject of his negotiations.
"I wish to point out to you, with your permission," he began, "just
where you stand in this matter. In the confusion and haste of a busy
time you may not have cast up your accounts. First," he checked off the
point on his long, slender forefinger, "in injuring Mr. Baker in this
ill-advised fashion you are injuring your old-time employer and friend,
Mr.
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