Jack penetrated Rutley's purpose at once and the prodigious nerve of the fellow caused him likewise to laugh. But Jack's laugh was different from Rutley's, in so much that it conveyed, though suppressed and soft, an air of rollicking abandon. "And get the reward of ten thousand dollars offered for the child's recovery." "Precisely," laughed Rutley. His laugh seemed infectious, for Jack joined him with a "Ha, ha, ha, ha. And borrow ten thousand more from old Harris for being a Good Samaritan to his nephew, Sam, eh! Have another, Phil," and again he laughed as he offered the glass. Rutley took the glass and filled it. "A forty thousand cleanup, Jack, just for a bit of judicious nerve! He, he, he, he," and then his laughter ceased, for the simple reason that his lips could not perform the act of drinking and laughing at the same time. "Ha, ha, ha, ha," laughed Jack, in response. "A damned good thing, eh, Phil?" and he took the glass, filled it, and drank. "Has anybody heard from Corway?" "Shanghaied," laconically replied Rutley. "He's off on the British bark Lochlobin. No fear of any trouble from him for several months." "How, in the name of God, did you do it?" asked Jack, fairly enthralled with Rutley's nerve. "Oh, it was easy. Fixed it up with some sailor boarding-house toughs, but I only got $50 out of it all told, including his watch. But, my dear boy, that is not all I have planned in this plunge. You know I am desperately in love with the orphan?" "Hazel!" exclaimed Jack. "Ho, that was plain long ago," and he laughed again. "She's the sweetest little girl in the world, Jack, and the best part of it is, she has a cool hundred thousand in her own right." "Marry her," promptly advised Jack. "That is my intention, Jack, and the day after tomorrow I visit Rosemont to persuade her to elope with me. Quite a society thrill--don't you know?" "Thrill!" replied Jack, astonished. "You mean sensation. Hazel eloped with me Lord Beauchamp, Knight of the Garter. Have one on that, Phil." "Oh, she's a darling, Jack, and now that Corway is out of the way--I think she'd like--to wear the garter," and he grinned jovially. "A garter is fetching, Phil." "Success to the garter! May Lady Hazel never let it fall; ha, ha," and Jack laughed merrily as he filled the glass. "Evil be to him who evil thinks. My garter, Jack! He, he, he, he." There was no mistaking the fact that the two men were verging on the hilarious, and though fully aware of the importance of conversing in low tones, they continued, because they felt satisfied the critical period of their operations had passed and success was assured. Again Rutley laughed. "Jack, I've had an itching palm today." "So have I. See how red it is with scratching, and the sole of my left foot has been tickled to fits."