Hashknife studied Len’s face for a few moments.
“Len,” he said softly, “is this anxiety merely for the boss of the Box S, or is it⸺”
“I’m just a plain damn fool!” said Len savagely. “I’ve been a fool ever since I came back here. I suppose,” he added bitterly, “I’ll keep on bein’ a fool all my life.”
“And they are legion,” sighed Hashknife.
“What did you say, Hartley?”
“I just said that we’re in the majority.”
“Uh-huh—I suppose. Well, I hate to go out and break the news to Whispering and Sailor. They’ve lived there for years; sorta pensioned by Harmony. They’ll want to come in and kill Baggs. And, Hartley, I’m afraid it will require the sheriff to shake ’em loose from the Box S. I can land another job, but they can’t.”
“Well, he gave yuh until to-morrow night, didn’t he? Kingdoms have changed hands in shorter time than that. I’m goin’ up to my room and do a lot of thinkin’. And I’ve got a hunch that Nan didn’t run away with Pollock.”
“I hope yo’re right, Hartley. I’ll see what I can think about before I see yuh again.”
Hashknife went up to his room and sprawled on the bed.