“It sounds cosy as hell,” he murmured. “But I’d still like very much to find out what Brother Mullins did with that gun after he got it.”
The girl said, “I don’t know... I don’t know.”
Footfalls sounded on the stairway outside and the doorbell rang.
“That’s probably him now,” Nelson said. “He’s going to the gym with me.”
He opened the door and Whitey Mullins stepped in, as advertised.
“Hiya, Champ,” he greeted, and stopped short as he caught sight of Hoppy heaving to his feet.
“Whitey!” Mr Uniatz welcomed, surging forward and flinging a crane-like arm about Whitey’s shoulders in leviathan camaraderie.
Mullins staggered beneath the shock of its weight; his derby slipped over his forehead and he pushed it back crossly.
“Easy, you big ape!” he snarled.
“We just hear you are de Champ’s new manager,” Hoppy bellowed happily.