“Sure I will, mister, since I’m caught in my own box,” Patsy now said, surveying with a ludicrous grin the frowning faces around him. “But I’d have been out and away long before this, mister, if it had not been for that infernal dog.”
“Out and away, would you?” cried Badger, catching up this one significant remark.
“That’s what, mister.”
“What were you doing in that hamper?”
“Only stealing a ride.”
“Stealing a ride?” echoed Badger incredulously.
“That was all, mister, the whole business.”
“You’re a liar!” snarled Conley, fiercely suspicious.
“Say, you leave me to settle with the boss of this joint, will you?” growled Patsy, now turning upon the Irishman. “I haven’t trod on any of your corns, have I? So you leave me to do the talking with the boss.”