"Not much. I laid low and presently lifted my sack of coal out and ducked around to Lonigan's saloon. I went in there by the back door and left my sack leanin' against the building. Mike wanted his mail and he give me a drink of whisky if I'd take his keys and go to the post-office for him; I'd just come into the Square when I run into Shrimp who was tellin' how old man McBride was murdered. I went into the store and found you there with Colonel Harbison, you remember, boss?" Gilmore nodded and Montgomery continued. "I hadn't a chance to tell you what I'd seen, and all night long I kept hearin' him say it!"
"Say what, Joe?"
"Say, 'Oh, my God!' like I told you, boss; I couldn't sleep for it,—I wonder if he slept!"
"Joe," said the gambler, "I'll tell you something that I have only told the sheriff. I was in Langham's office late yesterday and John North was there; he left to go to McBride's. Conklin's been looking for him this morning, but he can't find him, and no one seems to know what's become of him. Do you follow me?"
"What's North got to do with it, boss?"
"How do you know it wasn't North you saw in the alley?" urged Gilmore.
"It were not!" said Joe Montgomery positively.
"You saw the man's face?"
"As plain as I see yours!"
"And you know the man?"