“No, they’re not,” she interrupted tartly. “Lean on me, Joe.”
“I’ll be dogged if I do!” he snorted vigorously. “What do you take me for? Lean on a woman! Blast your eyes, Serepty Grimes—how many more times are you going to insult me to-day? Let me tell you one thing more. I’m not going to set down as long as Silas Link is on his feet. I am no quitter!” he bellowed, squaring his broad old shoulders. “Not by a blamed sight!”
They stood and waited. In due time, Silas Link panted his way up the incline and came shuffling toward them. He stopped at the corner of the barnyard, leaning against the fence to get his breath. Mr. Sikes stalked forward, followed by Mrs. Grimes.
“Well?” demanded the former.
“They—fished—up—a—carcass,” puffed Mr. Link.
Absolute silence—except for the painful wheezing of the last speaker.
“Ollie’s?” asked Mr. Sikes at last, and quickly hooked his arm through that of the tottering Mrs. Grimes.
“No telling. Unrecognizable. Been in the mire for a long time, according to my best judgment.”
“Sure it’s a—a human being?”
“Certainly.”