"'Look here, pal,' said my companion quietly, 'say bye-bye to your dirigible and drop to the ground. You're all up in the air. Of course we are together in this thing. I've no thought of doing you. I know you can make trouble if you want to. You could turn me over to the first cop that heaves in sight, and there's one over there now--why don't you do it? Of course _I_ would have something to say in that event, and then there would be _two_ of us in trouble; and with Abner confronting the pair, the odds would be all in my favor. He'd never recognize _me_! No, sir! But what's the use of hot-airing like this? Be good, now, and listen to me. We can't, can't, can't keep this money! Do you hear? Now let it filter through your make-up--slowly at first, and then as fast as you like. Honest, pal, we've got to give it back!' "'Why?' I asked, still skeptical. "'Oh, what's the use of your going on like that? You worry me with your fool questions! Here, take it all and accept the responsibility, and I will leave you! Here--take it! Take it, you idiot!' "Somehow, I hesitated--held back by Heaven knows what. "'No,' said he, returning the wallet to his pocket, 'I thought not! You know a thing or two after all. You haven't lost your mind. Looks are deceptive sometimes.' I instantly regretted my indecision. "'What's the matter with the money?' I asked. 'I was just kidding you. Give it to me. Hand it over. I will take it.' "'Never-r-r! Never-r-r!' he whispered mysteriously. 'This money belongs to THE CAUSE!' "'Oh, come off!' said I with a foxy wink. Don't you think because I am a countryman I gambol exclusively on the green. I am not altogether to the emerald by a pailful! I've got you where I want you, and you know it! Quit your fooling and hand over the wallet! There's a cop over there now,' I added meaningly. "'Yes, over there--I see him,' said my companion slowly. 'A cop--a very necessary evil, highly ornamental cops are, and occasionally useful. Now kindly look over _this_ way, deah boy, and you'll see two more of 'em.' "I looked, and then----WOW! (The Milky Way.) * * * * * "They took me to Bellevue, and three days later I found myself echoing, 'Six one-thousand-dollar bills, fifty one-hundreds--that's eleven thousand. A sheaf of fifties and twenties, swelling the total to something like twelve thousand! Hooray! Am I dreaming? Pinch me, I'll stop snoring, 'deed I will. I'll turn over, dearie, and go to sleep again! Twelve thousand plunks. Well, well, well! Not so bad for a moment's effort before breakfast, eh?' "And my nurse smiled wearily." * * * * *