He sat down, as directed, replying respectfully:
“Thank you, sir. I’ll answer any questions you ask.”
“Very good,” said Murdock. “Finley tells me you are out of work and came from Chicago.”
“I did, sir.”
“What were you doing there?”
“I worked in a hardware store.”
“Are you handy with tools?”
“Quite so,” Chick nodded, wondering how the situation would turn. “I have worked as a carpenter at times, though I never learned the trade.”
“You don’t look like a man accustomed to hard work,” said Murdock, smiling through his heavy beard.
“I’ve done my share, sir, for all that.”