Trimmer scratched his head with the end of his pistol.
"I guess I could tell him I was off—don't know the father after all."
"Sounds like a kid's excuse," commented McCoppet. "Like as not he'd take it out of you."
The likelihood was so strong that Trimmer visibly paled.
"I've got to give him somebody's name," he agreed with alacrity. "Has anyone died around here recent?"
"Yes," answered McCoppet with ready mendacity.
"Culver, who used to do surveying."
"Who?" asked Trimmer. "Don't know him."
McCoppet leaned across the table.
"Yes you do. He stopped you once from stealing—from picking up a lot of timber land. Remember?"