"I bought it of a poor cuss that drunk hisself to death. Gave a thousand dollars for it!"
"Why, it must be worth more!" said Denton almost involuntarily.
"Of course 'tis. It's worth three thousand easy."
And two thousand on top of that, thought Denton. He doesn't know the value of it. "How long have you had it?" he enquired.
"It's a beautiful thing," said Denton. "Are you going to stop in Chicago, may I ask?"
"Maybe I'll stop a day, but I guess not. I live in Vermont--that is, I was raised there. I'm goin' back to astonish the natives. When I left there I was a poor man, without money or credit. Then nobody noticed me. I guess they will now," and he slapped his pockets significantly.
"Money makes the man," said Denton philosophically.
"So it does, so it does!" answered the stranger. Then, with a loud laugh at his own wit, he added: "And man makes the money, too, I guess. Ho, ho!"
Denton laughed as if he thought the joke a capital one.
"By George, I never said a better thing!" said the stout man, apparently amazed at his own wit.
"Didn't you? Then I pity you," thought Denton. But he only said:
"So 'tis, so 'tis. Do you live in Chicago?"
"No, I have retired from business. I am living on my income," answered Denton with unblushing effrontery.
"Got money, hey?" said the stout man respectfully.
"I have some," answered Denton modestly. "I am not as rich as you, of course. I can't afford to wear a breastpin worth thousands of dollars."
"Kinder gorgeous, aint it?" said the other complacently. "I like to make a show, I do. That's me. I like to have folks say, 'He's worth money.'"
"Only natural," said Denton. "What a consummate ass!" he muttered to himself.
There was a little more conversation, and then the stout man gaped and looked sleepy.
"I didn't sleep much last night," he said. "I guess I'll get a nap if I can."
"You'd better," said Denton, an eager hope rising in his breast. "A man can't do without sleep."
"Of course he can't. You jest wake me up when we get to the depot."
"Have no trouble about that," said Denton quickly. "I'll be sure to let you know."
In less than five minutes the stranger was breathing heavily, his head thrown back and his eyes closed beneath the red handkerchief that covered his face. Denton looked at him with glittering eyes.