“Well, mebby I c’n talk business to yuh now an’ have somethin’ to go on,” he began abruptly.  “I went an’ sent off a telegraft to my brother in San Jose about you, and he’s wrote a letter to yuh.  My brother’s a business man.  You c’n see that much fer yourself.  An’ mebby you’ll see your way clear t’ help me leave this dod-rotten hole.  Here’s yer letter.”

Casey held himself neutral while he read the letter. 
As it happens that I have a copy, here it is: 

 (Printed Letterhead)

  VISTA GRANDE RANCHO

  Smith Bros.

  San Jose, Calif.

Garage Owner, Patmos, Calif.

Dear Sir:  I am informed that my brother Eldreth William Smith, having suffered the mishap to lose his tires at your place or thereabouts, and having the misfortune to fall short of immediate funds with which to pay cash for replacement, has been denied credit at your hands.

I regret that because of business requirements in my own business it is impossible for me to place the amount necessary at his immediate disposal.  It is therefore my advise that you lend to my brother Eldreth William Smith such money or moneys as will be necessary to purchase railroad tickets for himself and family from Patmos to this place, and

Furthermore that you take as security for said loan such motor truck and equipment etc. as he has now stored at your place of business.  I am aware of the fact that a motor truck in any running condition would amply secure such loans as would purchase tickets from Patmos to San Jose, and I hereby enclose note for same, duly made out in blank and signed by me, which signature will be backed by the signature of my brother.  Upon receiving from you such money as he may require he will duly deliver note and security duly signed and filled with the amount.  I trust this will be perfectly satisfactory to you as amply securing you for the loan of the desired amount.

  Thanking you in advance,

  Yours very Truly,

  J. Paul Smith.

In spite of himself, Casey was impressed.  The very Spanish name of the prune orchard impressed him, and so did the formal business terms used by J. Paul Smith; and that “thanking you in advance” seemed to place him under a moral obligation too great to shirk.  There was the note, too,—­ heavy green paper with a stag’s head printed on it, and looking almost like a check.

“Well, all right, if it don’t cost too much and the time don’t run too long,” surrendered Casey reluctantly.  “How much—­”

“Fare’s a little over twenty-five dollars, an’ they’ll be four full fares an’ three half.  I guess mebby I better have a hundred an’ seventy-five anyway, so’st we kin eat on the way.”