“And haven’t you had any further trouble with Mulvey?” asked Trim.
“Not a particle; but there is one thing in the case that we don’t like.”
“What is that?”
“Mulvey’s little kingdom has become the refuge of some of the worst criminals in this part of the country.
“When a murderer, for example, finds that the officers are after him so sharply that he can’t escape them by any other means, he lights out for Gordonia.
“When he gets there I suppose that he is received by King Mulvey and made a member of the tribe. At any rate we never hear of him again.
“Up to date we have not felt much like disturbing the Narugas on this account because it would mean a war of extermination, and as it was with Mulvey so it is with every other criminal who goes there.
“Once he gets among the Narugas we have no further trouble with him, so perhaps the city is just as well off as if we caught and hanged every murderer that we tried to.
“At the same time, if it could be done without calling out the military forces, we should all be very glad to have Mulvey and his white companions brought back.”
“How many whites are there with him?” asked Trim.