“Trouble gits busy.” Minky laughed hollowly.
“Sure. I’m most gener’ly around when trouble––gits busy. I’m made like that.”
“I’m glad.”
Bill drank up the remains of his drink and began to move away.
“Wher’ you going now?” inquired Minky.
“See my plugs fed an’ watered, and then gittin’ around my shack. I’ve got to see some folks before I hit the trail. Say, I ain’t got big enough wad. Best hand me a couple o’ thousand.”
Minky dived under his counter, and, after fumbling for some time, reappeared with the required sum in United States currency.
“Good luck,” he said, as he passed it across the counter cautiously.
“Thanks. An’, say––see the boys keep a close eye on Zip––an’ the kids. So long.”
He moved away, but instead of passing out of the front door he disappeared into the dining-room at the back.