"Yes, curse the country! There is no safety or profit in our business any longer, though the venture we have in hand ought to afford us something and to spare." "Yes; and I hope you have come ready to close up the business," Burke answered. "I am tired of delay—always delay; and you will admit it is your fault, not mine." "Neither yours nor mine. You are not more impatient to see the end of it than I, and on more accounts than one in my case," the other answered; "but nothing can be done till the time is ripe." "When will that be? When will that be?" Burke asked, impatiently, but in his soft, purring way; "and what is the nature of the business, anyway?" "I can’t tell you; nor is it necessary you should know till the time comes. It is all arranged, though, as far as can be, and I am only waiting the opportunity. That depends on others, or it would come to-night; but it can’t be far off, so don’t lose heart or complain." "What will it amount to—the money, I mean?" Burke purred. "It ought to be great after all this waiting and riding back and forth across the country." "It will, and all cash, too—something that can’t be traced or cause its possessor harm." "That is good; but how are we to get hold of it, and when? That is what I want to know," Burke answered, and so softly I could hardly hear his voice. "That I can’t explain now, as I have told you; only there will be no great risk, and it will be clean money, as I say, and in packages." "In packages?" "Yes; one of paper and the other of coin. They will be sealed, too, and that being so there will be no need of your opening them till I come." "Why not, why not?" Burke seemed to whisper, so soft was his voice. "Oh, for no particular reason, only it will prevent any dispute between us, as in the Hogge case. I know you would divide fairly, but keep it in the shape it is in and you will not be tempted to spend any part of it for drink, and so get both of us into trouble." "Well, it will only be a few hours, anyway." "More than that, for I can’t come to you for several days—a week or more," the other replied. "Why not? What is to prevent?" Burke asked, his voice plainly showing surprise and irritation. "It might excite suspicion, for I may be watched. Who can tell what will happen? You can hide the money meanwhile without risk, or keep it by you, as you think best." "Yes, yes; but just when will you come?" Burke answered. "I may not see you again, and I am not going to hang around a day on any uncertainty after the thing is done; the danger is too great." "There will be no risk to you whatever. I might come in a week, but ten days would be better," the other answered, slowly, as if reflecting on the matter. "Well, I can see no point to what you say; but if it must be so, let us be precise about it. Name the hour."