On the steps of the restaurant they parted, and the two leaders watched Cressler’s broad, stooped shoulders disappear down the street.

“He’s as good as in already,” Sweeny declared. “I’ll fix him tomorrow. Once a speculator, always a speculator. He was the cock of the cow-yard in his day, and the thing is in the blood. He gave himself clean, clean away when he let out he was afraid o’ speculating. You can’t be afraid of anything that ain’t got a hold on you. Y’ understand me now?”

“Well,” observed Freye, “we’ve got to get him in.”

“Talk to me about that now,” Sweeny answered. “I’m new to some parts o’ this scheme o’ yours yet. Why is Crookes so keen on having him in? I’m not so keen. We could get along without him. He ain’t so god-awful rich, y’ know.”