"Jeff," he says, "my hat's off to you--you're the outstanding wonder of the century. I judge it's hardly necessary for me to tell you what's in this note?"
"I been able," I says, "to mek my own calculations, suh. I reckins ef I wuz put to it, I could guess."
"How did you ever succeed in doing it?" he says.
"Mr. Dallas," I says, "the main p'int is 'at it's done--ain't 'at so, suh?"
"Agreed," he says; "but there are hints here--hints is a mild word--at things I don't in the least understand. Now, for example----"
"Mr. Dallas," I says, "ast me no questions, please suh, an' I'll tell you no lies. Lyin' don't come natchel to me, ez you knows--I has to strain fur it."
"Very well," he says, "have it your own way; I won't press you. The proof is in my hand that you accomplished what you set out to do; and seeing that I had no part or parcel in it I figure it's up to me to show less curiosity and more gratitude."
"Nummine the gratitudes part yit aw'ile," I says. "Us is got a heap more to 'complish 'fore the sun goes down tonight. It's only jest a part of the load w'ich is been lifted--bear 'at in mind, suh. The case of Mr. H. C. Raynor is yit remainin' to be 'tended to."
"You've already shown me what you can do, even though I'm left in the dark, as to the exact methods you use in these big emergencies," he says. "I'm still following your lead. What comes next?"
All through this he's been walking up and down the floor like he was drilling for the militia. So I induces him for to set down and be still, and I proceeds to specify further.
"Mr. Dallas," I says, "these here chronic Noo Yawkers is funny people--some of 'em. 'Cause they knows they own game they thinks they ain't no other games wu'th knowin'. 'Cause they thinks the Noo Yawk way of doin' things must be the only suitable way, they don't concern theyselves 'bout the way an outsider mout tackle the same proposition. To be so bright ez they is in some reguards, they is the most ign'ent in others ever I seen. Now, 'cordin' to my notions, w'en you gits 'em on strange ground, w'en you flings a novelty slam-bang in they faces, they ain't got no ways an' means figgered out fur meetin' it an' they's liable to git all mommuxed up an' swep' right off they feet."