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"It might be something like that," replied the Lizard; "but you won't have nothin'

to do but stand where I put you and make a noise like a cat if you see anybody

coming. It ought to be something good. I been working on it for three months.

We'll split something like fifty thousand thirty-seventy."

Is that the usual percentage?" asked Jimmy.

It's what I'm offerin' you," replied the lizard.

Thirty per cent of fifty thousand dollars! Jimmy jingled the few pieces of silver

remaining in his pocket. Fifteen thousand dollars! And here he had been walking

his legs off and starving in a vain attempt to earn a few paltry dollars honestly.

There's something wrong somewhere," muttered Jimmy to himself.

I'm taking it from an old crab who has more than he can use, and all of it he got

by robbing people that didn't have any to spare. He's a big guy here. When

anything big is doing the newspaper guys interview him and his name is in all the

lists of subscriptions to charity--when they're going to be published in the papers.

I'll bet he takes nine-tenths of his kale from women and children, and he's an

honored citizen. I ain't no angel, but whatever I've taken didn't cause nobody any

sufferin'--I'm a thief, bo, and I'm mighty proud of it when I think of what this

other guy is."

Thirty per cent of fifty thousand dollars! Jimmy was sitting with his legs crossed.

He looked down at his ill-fitting, shabby trousers, and then turned up the sole of

one shoe which was worn through almost to his sock. The Lizard watched him as

a cat watches a mouse. He knew that the other was thinking hard, and that

presently he would reach a decision, and through Jimmy's mind marched a

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