"What was there in it for Jake?" inquired Clinch pleasantly.
"Ten thousand."
"How about you?"
"I told 'em I wouldn't touch it. Then they pulled their guns on me, and
I was scared to squeal."
"So that was the way?" asked Clinch in his even, reassuring voice.
Leverett's eyes travelled stealthily around the circle of men, then reverted to Clinch.
"I dassn't touch it," he said, "but I dassn't squeal. … I as huntin' onto Drowned Valley when Jake meets up with me."
"`I got the packet,' he sez, `and I'm a-going to double criss-cross
Quintana, I am, and beat it. Don't you wish you was whacks with me?'
"`No,' sez I, `honesty is my policy, no matter what they tell about me. S'help me God, I ain't never robbed no trap and I ain't no skin thief, whatever lies folks tell. All I ever done was run a little hootch, same's everybody.'"
He licked his lips furtively, his cold, bright eyes fastened on Clinch.