human
Well--go ahead,
gpt
First let me tell you why you've got to help me. You have the know-how and more general experience, and can do it. I take it you are 'in right' in New Orleans. You can help me when you are helping yourself. I believe in you thoroughly--except--except perhaps when you go off on a little tangent, like you did when you put that barrel of iron filings in storage, and made me pay half---- He hesitated, smiling broadly. I did not reply, and he continued,
human
I am waiting to hear why you propose to resign,
gpt
I'll make that short enough--as long as I stay at work there I don't have time or ginger to do anything else. I believe that Becker is the head of the stealing--I have got several tips lately and I believe he's the man. Several train-men, who learned I was in trouble, informed me that his place up the river is queer. In ordinary water it is an island, between the track and the river, the switch running to it over piles, and several times when they rode cars into his unloading doors they have seen things they believe will bear investigation. But it's going to be hard to get into the old fox's place. He receives by rail from here and the north, too, but ships out everything by an old boat on the river.
human
Now --hesitated Hiram shrewdly--
gpt
Yes--go ahead. But what about the three seals being intact when you opened the car?
human
I knew you would ask that--but I believe, with help from those 'higher up,' and the seals could be had--stolen of course. There are two hard nuts to crack; one is the seals, and the other is to get into his place--and that's where you must help.
gpt
Now here is another funny thing. Hiram hesitated to bring from his hip pocket an envelope.
human
Some one who knew my full name sent this to me, care of the office,
gpt
Why does Becker & Co. get freight by rail and ship out only by water?
human
Hiram--let me keep this?
gpt
Yes--help yourself.
human
Have you any plan to get into Becker & Co.'s plant?
gpt
He is a foxy old rat and would take any ordinary bait off a trap and send it to you by mail. The only thing I can think of is a boat--maybe I didn't tell you it is a fertilizer plant and uses lots of dead animals. With a boat to take him some of this stock, one might finally get to carrying his river freight at a cut price and that would open the door wide.
human
But boats that will carry even a little freight are scarce now.
gpt
Yes, I know that--but we've got to have a boat. Buy it, build it, or dig one out of the mud somewhere.
human
You have made out a pretty good case, Hiram. I will think it over--in the meantime this may interest you,