“Well, I’m runnin’ a stud game in De Golden Eagle,” Slim stated in his husky tones. “An’ I just drifted in here because I hoid dere was good pickin’s among de construction stiffs. I been runnin’ stud layouts fer sev’ral years out West.”
Joshua pondered over this. Slim’s explanation seemed logical enough; and, but for the fact that The Whimperer had scurried through that tent, Joshua would have considered this one of those strange chance meetings that occur in the lives of men who travel far from home.
“But that tramp,” he questioned—“how does it come that he ducked through here when I chased him? Do you know him?”
“Who—dat geed-up guy? Yes, I seen um about here a little since I come. Dat was yesterday. But I don’t exactly know um. Was youse chasin’ um, Tony? Wot for? He comes bulgin’ in here an’ pretty near knocked de old rag flat. I’m buckin’ solitaire—see?” Slim indicated a spread of playing cards on the table. “An’ before I c’n get outa me chair to fin’ out wot’s doin’, youse show up an’ dat yegg frogs it unner de back wall o’ de tent an’ beats it. Wot’s it all about, Tony?”
Joshua did not answer the question. It struck him as the strangest coincidence imaginable that, away out here in Ragtown, six thousand feet above the sea, he should meet the man who had robbed him in the Middle West and chase him through the tent of his old enemy in the House of Refuge.
“And you say you don’t actually know this fellow?”
“Naw—jes’ seen um hangin’ aroun’. He’s a stiff—dey folly big construction, don’t dey? Maybe de likes o’ dis plug don’t woik much, but dey hang aroun’ an’ help de busy little bees spend dere payday. I don’t know nuttin’ about um. W’y’re youse astin’ me?”
This dialogue was bringing Joshua no information whatever, and it had caused him to lose track of The Whimperer, who by now was without doubt securely hidden. Joshua turned about and started for the entrance to the tent.
“Ain’t sore, are youse, Fifty-six thirty-five?”—from Slim.
Joshua turned at the door. “No, not at all,” he replied, regarding Wolfgang studiously. “In fact, I made a fool out of myself by chasing The Whimperer, and now I’m going home and forget it. Good-night.”