“I’ve heard the name. People around here don’t monkey with you much, do they?”
A hissing laugh came through the yellow teeth, and for once the eyes showed a glint of amusement.
“No they don’t. I’ve got this hull place right into my hand, mister. Folks step wide o’ me. Some fellers has got brash an’ throwed buckshot at me, but they don’t no more. They’re dead. Others has learnt.”
“I see. Those fellows stepped on snakes, maybe?”
“Mebbe. I ain’t sayin’. But come on, stranger, we can’t talk here all day. Who d’ye want? How much?”
“I think,” was the slow answer, “that the party I’m interested in just now is out of reach.”
Snake looked blank. Reaching smoothly into a pocket, he drew out a plug of tobacco, bit off a chunk, and chewed.
“Got away clean, ye mean. Ain’t into here nowheres? Huh! Don’t be too sure. There’s lots o’ hide-outs into here that ye dunno ’bout. I know ’em. I can git anybody—man, woman, or chile. An’ there’s more’n one way to skin a skunk. If yer man ain’t too well knowed, why won’t ’nother man do?”
Again the insinuating wink.
“Meaning?”