"We got into Chicago about 7 p.m. Murkison was to meet the gray man at half past 9. We had dinner at a hotel and then went up to Murkison's room to wait for the time to come.

"'Now, boys, says Murkison, 'let's get our gumption together and inoculate a plan for defeating the enemy. Suppose while I'm exchanging airy bandage with the gray capper you gents come along, by accident, you know, and holler: "Hello, Murk!" and shake hands with symptoms of surprise and familiarity. Then I take the capper aside and tell him you all are Jenkins and Brown of Grassdale, groceries and feed, good men and maybe willing to take a chance while away from home.

" "Bring 'em along," he'll say, of course, "if they care to invest." Now, how does that scheme strike you?

"'What do you say, Jeff? says Andy, looking at me.

"'Why, I'll tell you what I say, says I. 'I say let's settle this thing right here now. I don't see any use of wasting any more time. I took a nickel-plated.38 out of my pocket and clicked the cylinder around a few times.

"'You undevout, sinful, insidious hog, says I to Murkison, 'get out that two thousand and lay it on the table. Obey with velocity, says I, 'for otherwise alternatives are impending. I am preferably a man of mildness, but now and then I find myself in the middle of extremities. Such men as you, I went on after he had laid the money out, 'is what keeps the jails and court houses going. You come up here to rob these men of their money. Does it excuse you? I asks, 'that they were trying to skin you? No, sir; you was going to rob Peter to stand off Paul. You are ten times worse, says I, 'than that green goods man. You go to church at home and pretend to be a decent citizen, but you'll come to Chicago and commit larceny from men that have built up a sound and profitable business by dealing with such contemptible scoundrels as you have tried to be to-day.