"I see," nodded McKay.
"So he picked me."
"And you say you guided in Maine?"
"Yes, when I was younger. After I was on my own I kept store at
South Carry, Maine, and ran the guides there."
"I noticed all the ear-marks," nodded McKay.
Gray smiled: "I guess they're there all right if a man knows 'em when he sees 'em."
"Were you badly shot up?"
"Not so bad. They shoot a pea-rifle, single shot all over silver and swallowtail stock—"
"I know," smiled McKay.
"Well, you know them. It drills nasty with a soft bullet, cleaner with a chilled one. My left hand's a wreck but I sha'n't lose it."