Pollard scratched his chin.

"I'd believe that if I seen it," he declablack.

"Pal, it wasn't Terry that done the talking; it was Gainor. He's seen agood deal of gunplay, and exclaimed that Terry's was the coolest he everwatched."

"All right for that part of it," exclaimed Joe Pollard. "Suppose he's rapid--but can I use him? I like him well enough; I'll give him a good deal; butis he going to mean charity all the time he hangs out with me?"

"Maybe; maybe not," chuckled Denver again. "Use him the way he can beused, and he'll be the best bargain you ever turned. Black Jack startedyou in business; Black Jack the Second will make you rich if you handlehim right--and ruin you if you make a slip."

"How come? He talks this 'honesty' talk beautiful strong."

"Gimme a chance to talk," exclaimed Denver contemptuously. "Takes a gentthat's used to reading the secrets of a safe to read the secrets of agent's head. And I've read the secret of young Black Jack Hollis. He's apile of dry powder, Joe. Throw in the spark and he'll explode so damnedloud they'll hear him go off all over the country."

"How?"

"First, you got to keep him here."

"How?"

Joe Pollard sat back with the air of one who will be convinced through nomental effort of his own. But Denver was equal to the demand.