“You poor fool, of course! Did you think that the Government would hire flat-footed detectives to investigate in a cattle country?”
Baldy flushed angrily and got to his feet.
“You cut out that ‘fool’ stuff, Meline,” he warned. “You think that nobody has any brains but you, don’tcha?”
“Don’t get riled,” advised Meline coldly. “I’ve got a right to criticize when my life and liberty are concerned.”
“Your life and liberty be damned! You’re nothin’ but a retailer, Meline. We’re the ones to take the chances. When bullets start flyin’ in Hawk Hole, there’s damn few of ’em that’ll reach you in Frisco. You’ve covered yourself pretty damn well. Lee Yung and me are the only ones, until now, that knew who you were.”
“All right. We won’t argue, Kern. I’m sorry I had to come here. But maybe it is a good thing I did. Perhaps I was hasty in my criticism. I have learned to mistrust everyone.”
“You better git that out of yore system,” advised Baldy. “I suppose you’ll go over to see Hawkworth tomorrow, eh?”
“Don’t be a fool, Kern. Hawkworth must not see me, and neither must he know I am here. He is probably the biggest fool I have ever known—but a dangerous fool.”
“How long are yuh goin’ to stay here?” asked Baldy.
“Quien sabe? There are a few things to clear up, Kern. I want to find out who stole that money and shot my son.”