The two went back to the desk. A match flared there, and an oil lamp cast its yellow glow into the corridor; apparently night was approaching. The constable left and Jeff pocketed the mouth organ. Five minutes later he brought it out again and once more Pal wrecked the silence. The door burst open, slammed shut, and Pop and the constable stood before Jeff's cell.
Joe Parker spoke, "How'd you like to get out, peddler?"
"I don't know," Jeff said smoothly. "I like it here."
"Now look, why can't you be reasonable? We haven't got much on you and we're not mad at you. Ever'body's going to be plumb out of their minds if that dog howls down here for a whole week!"
"What's your proposition?" Jeff asked serenely.
"We'll leave you out, give you and that howling wolf pack ten minutes to get out of town, and start looking for you."
Jeff hesitated, scenting a trap and guessing that something besides Pal's howling was involved. Probably Pop had not been reticent about the new prisoner's willingness to consult attorneys.... Jeff said finally, "And if you catch me, you'll have me for breaking jail, too?"
The constable retorted grimly, "We don't aim to hunt that hard."
For a moment Jeff pondered, as though considering everything seriously. His face was solemn when he looked up.
"Nope," he said. "It's not enough."