There was a trace of a smile about the marshal's cruel lips. “I know,” he replied. “I've not failed to compare them.”
“You have a good secret-service department!” said Hal.
“Before you get through, young fellow, you'll discover that our legal department is equally efficient.”
“Well,” said Hal, “they'll need to be; for I don't see how you can get round the fact that I'm a check-weighman, chosen according to the law, and with a group of the men behind me.”
“If that's what you're counting on,” retorted Cotton, “you may as well forget it. You've got no group any more.”
“Oh! You've got rid of them?”
“We've got rid of the ring-leaders.”
“Of whom?”
“That old billy-goat, Sikoria, for one.”
“You've shipped him?”