I have been most kinds of fool in my time," returned Loudon, "but not the gold-digging variety.

Every man has a sane spot somewhere." "Well, then," suggested some one, "did you ever smuggle opium ?" "Yes, I did," said Loudon.
"Was there money in that ?" "All the way," responded Loudon.
"And perhaps you bought a wreck ?" asked another.
"Yes, sir," said Loudon.
"How did that pan out ?" pursued the questioner.
"Well, mine was a peculiar kind of wreck," replied Loudon.

"I don't know, on the whole, that I can recommend that branch of industry." "Did she break up ?" asked some one.
"I guess it was rather I that broke down," says Loudon.

"Head not big enough." "Ever try the blackmail ?" inquired Havens.
"Simple as you see me sitting here!" responded Dodd.
"Good business ?" "Well, I'm not a lucky man, you see," returned the stranger.

"It ought to have been good." "You had a secret ?" asked the Glasgow man.
"As big as the State of Texas." "And the other man was rich ?" "He wasn't exactly Jay Gould, but I guess he could buy these islands if he wanted." "Why, what was wrong, then?
Couldn't you get hands on him ?" "It took time, but I had him cornered at last; and then----" "What then ?" "The speculation turned bottom up.