Dobbs drew a deep breath and said sullenly: “Well, it was like this: I knew Freeze and Bauer several years ago before I came to work for you. During the war I was employed by a man named Willis who had an estate north of here.”
“I’ve heard of him,” Silverton nodded.
“He had deer in his forest. Meat was scarce then, and it seemed a shame for folks to go without, just for want of a few ration stamps.”
“So you made a deal to supply deer to Freeze and Bauer?” Mr. Silverton demanded, guessing at the story.
“That’s about the size of it,” Dobbs admitted. “Only they came to me with the proposition. I never liked the business, so I pulled out and came to Webster City.”
“Then you got mixed up in pheasant stealing?”
“Not intentionally. Believe me, Mr. Silverton, I’ve worked hard trying to keep things running smoothly here.”
“You receive a generous salary for your work, I believe?”
“Oh, I ain’t complaining,” Dobbs said uncomfortably. “You’ve been decent to me—mighty decent.”
“How did you get mixed up with Freeze and Bauer again?”