Part 16 (1/2)
”Let me go this time, squire,” went on the man pleadingly.
”What for? So you can rob somebody else?”
”I ain't got a cent to my name, squire.”
”I can't help that.”
Suddenly a thought flashed over Squire Dobb's mind.
”Griswold, step into my office.”
”Don't lock me up, squire.”
”I won't-if you will do as I wish you to.”
”I'll do anything you say, only don't arrest me again.”
”Step into the office, and see to it that you don't wake up the whole household.”
Hank Griswold complied. The squire followed him, still, however, keeping his pistol ready for use.
But when the office was reached, and the door shut, Nathan Dobb's manner changed. He took Griswold's hand.
”Griswold, you are just the man I want to see.”
”I-I-don't understand,” was the confused reply.
”I'll explain. Sit down and take it easy. You love to smoke? Have a cigar,” and a box was shoved toward him.
”See here, Nathan Dobb, what's your game now?”
”I want to throw some work in your hands, work that will pay well.”
”What kind of work?” asked Griswold suspiciously. He was half-inclined to believe Nathan Dobb was out of his mind.
”You just said you would do anything for me if I didn't have you arrested.”
”So I will.” ”Supposing I put a job in your way that will pay you an even hundred dollars--”
”You're foolin' me, squire.”
”I mean it, Griswold, a hundred dollars. Would you do the work and say nothing?”
”Yes.”
”It's a-a-job that isn't strictly-ah-all right, you know.”
”I don't care what it is,” returned Griswold recklessly. ”I'll do anything you say. You can trust me.”