“Shore's it's wet outside.”
“I'm afraid you are doomed to disappointment.”
“Ya-as?” asked Red with a rising inflection.
“You will not want him now,” replied the monk.
Red laughed sarcastically and Hopalong smiled.
“There ain't a-going to be no argument about it. Trot him out,” ordered Red, grimly.
The monk turned to Hopalong. “Do you, too, want him?”
Hopalong nodded.
“My friends, he is safe from your punishment.”
Red wheeled instantly and ran outside, returning in a few moments, smiling triumphantly. “There are tracks coming in, but there ain't none going away. He's here. If you don't lead us to him we'll shore have to rummage around an' poke him out for ourselves: which is it?”