of Wallbridge appear to claim it; or at least, till I am satisfied
there are no heirs. When that time comes, I shall be willing to
_consider_ the question of dividing it with Stumpy and you."

"I don't think any of it belongs to me," added Stumpy.

"I think a share of it belongs to me; but I am willing to discount my
claim, you see."

"Discount it?" queried Leopold.

"I can't wait a year or two till you find out whether or not the man
that buried the gold has any heirs or not."

"I am very sorry you are so impatient."

"I want the money now, when my governor is cruel to me. Besides, in two
years gold may be down to par, and it won't bring anything more than its
face, you see. I want to do the fair thing. Give me two hundred dollars
in gold, and I will relinquish my claim: discount it, you see."

"No, Mr. Redmond; I cannot sell or discount what don't belong to me.
They may do it in New York, but some of us countrymen haven't yet
learned how to do that thing, you see," laughed Leopold.

"Say one hundred, then."

"Not a single dollar. The best I can do is to promise that I will
_consider_ the question of a division when I feel that the money belongs
to the finder."

Mr. Redmond argued the point in all its bearings, but with no different
result.

"But how long will it be before you find out whether this man had any
heirs?" asked he.

"I may ascertain in a month or two. It don't take but a week or ten days
for a letter to go to Havana."

"Then I must wait, I suppose," mused the fop.

"You must, indeed."

"But I am sure you will find no heirs."

"I may not."

"Leopold, I'll tell you what I will do. I want to be fair, you see."

"I see."

"Give me two hundred in gold now, and then, if you find any heirs, I
will agree to pay the money back to you. That's fair, you see."

"Perhaps it is," laughed Leopold, amused at the desperation of the
coxcomb; "but one so busy as you are, and will always be, in a great
city like New York, might forget to send me the money."

"I will give you my note for it."

"Your note would not be worth any more than mine, for neither of us is
of age. If you will give me your father's note I will think about it."

"My father's note! I don't want my governor to know anything about this
business, you see. I want this money for my private purse, so that I can
give a champagne supper when I please."

"I am afraid we shall not be able to manage the business, Mr. Redmond.
You know