of your way for a thousand
dollars--I'll do it--you know I will! Ha, ha, ha!"

"Why, the government doesn't value your whole carcass at more than I
offer you for the temporary use of your hands, you villain!" frowned the
colonel.

"No ill names, your honor--between us they are like kicking guns--apt to
recoil!"

"You forget that you are in my power!"

"I remember that your honor is in mine! Ha, ha, ha! The day Black Donald
stands at the bar--the honorable Colonel Le Noir will probably be beside
him!"

"Enough of this! Confound you, do you take me for one of your pals?"

"No, your worship, my pals are too poor to hire their work done, but
then they are brave enough to do it themselves."

"Enough of this, I say! Name the price of this new service!"

"Ten thousand dollars--five thousand in advance--the remainder when the
deed is accomplished."

"Extortioner! Shameless, ruthless extortioner!"

"Your honor will fall into that vulgar habit of calling ill names. It
isn't worth while! It doesn't pay! If your honor doesn't like my terms,
you needn't employ me. What is certain is that I cannot work for less!"

"You take advantage of my necessities."

"Not at all; but the truth is, Colonel, that I am tired of this sort of
life, and wish to retire from active business. Besides, every man has
his ambition, and I have mine. I wish to emigrate to the glorious West,
settle, marry, turn my attention to politics, be elected to Congress,
then to the Senate, then to the Cabinet, then to the White House--for
success in which career, I flatter myself nature and education have
especially fitted me. Ten thousand dollars will give me a fair start!
Many a successful politician, your honor knows, has started on less
character and less capital!"

To this impudent slander the colonel made no answer. With his arms
folded and his head bowed upon his chest he walked moodily up and down
the length of the apartment. Then muttering, "Why should I hesitate?" he
came to the side of the outlaw and said:

"I agree to your terms--accomplish the work and the sum shall be yours.
Meet me here on to-morrow evening to receive the earnest money. In the
meantime, in order to make sure of the girl's identity, it will be
necessary for you to get sight of her beforehand, at her home, if
possible--find out her habits and her haunts--where she walks, or rides,
when she is most likely to be alone, and so on. Be very careful! A
mistake might be fatal."