“C’mon in and meet Apostle Paul,” suggested the sheriff.
Hashknife followed him to the cells and was introduced to Marion’s father, who scrutinized Hashknife closely, when the sheriff explained what Hartley and his partner were willing to do.
“I thought mebbe Tex Alden would help us out,” said the old man.
“Yuh can hang that idea up in the smokehouse,” said the sheriff. “Tex met yore daughter a while ago, and she kinda snubbed him up real short, Paul.”
“Yea-a-ah? Well, I’ll be ——! See if yuh can get holt of her, Scotty.”
The sheriff left Hashknife with Taylor, while he found Marion. The old man had little to say to Hashknife, and the conversation dragged heavily until the sheriff brought her in and introduced her to Hashknife.
“Did Tex offer to help us out?” asked Taylor.
Marion nodded quickly.
“He did; and I refused his offer. And he knows why I refused it, Dad.”
“Gosh a’mighty—why?”