he had a consciousness that she would be equally loyal to him. "No one,"
he answered boldly.
"Very good. And I suppose you wouldn't mind if it were kept out of the
newspapers? You're not hankering after a reputation as a hero?"
"Certainly not," said Brice indignantly.
"Well, then, we'll keep it where it is. You will say nothing. I will
hand over the greenbacks to the company, but only as much of your story
as I think they'll stand. You're all right as it is. Yuba Bill has
already set you up in his report to the company, and the recovery of
this money will put you higher! Only, the PUBLIC need know nothing about
it."
"But," asked Brice amazedly, "how can it be prevented? The shippers who
lost the money will have to know that it has been recovered."
"Why should they? The company will assume the risk, and repay them just
the same. It's a great deal better to have the reputation for accepting
the responsibility than for the shippers to think that they only get
their money through the accident of its recovery."
Brice gasped at this large business truth. Besides, it occurred to him
that it kept the secret, and Flora's participation in it, from Snapshot
Harry and the gang. He had not thought of that before.
"Come," continued the manager, with official curtness. "What do you say?
Are you willing to leave it to me?"
Brice hesitated a moment. It was not what his impulsive truthful nature
had suggested. It was not what his youthful fancy had imagined. He had
not worked upon the sympathies of the company on behalf of Snapshot
Harry as he believed he would do. He had not even impressed the manager.
His story, far from exciting a chivalrous sentiment, had been pronounced
improbable. Yet he reflected he had so far protected HER, and he
consented with a sigh.
Nevertheless, the result ought to have satisfied him. A dazzling check,
inclosed in a letter of thanks from the company the next day, and his
promotion from "the road" to the San Francisco office, would have been
quite enough for any one but Edward Brice. Yet he was grateful, albeit
|