I shrugged. “He said, ‘You got the wrong guy, I didn’t do it’.”
“Yeah?” Hackenschmidt sneered. “That’s been his yap right through the trial.”
Hughson was looking at me suspiciously. “Did he say anythin’ else?”
I shook my head. “No… just that.”
They made a dive to get out. There was an immediate scramble for ’phones and the telegraph office. I let the rush get on ahead, then I turned to follow.
The warden touched my arm. He was trying to look casual. “I shouldn’t pin much to the Spencer angle,” he said.
I paused and looked at him, but he was wearing a dead pan.
“You don’t think so?” I said hopefully.
He shook his head. “I should forget all about it.”
I pushed my hat a little over my eyes. “Did you hear the one about the guy with a wooden leg, playin’ ping-pong…?”