‘Dave,’ said Lem seriously, ‘I’m no mind-reader. I dunno a damn thing about it. I’m follerin’ Hartley, thasall. He says he’s got a hunch—and that’s more’n I’ve got. Let’s have one more drink.’

The bartender served them and they drank silently.

‘Dave, did you ever hear Pete say anythin’ about havin’ a woman?’ asked Lem.

‘About havin’ a woman?’

‘Yeah—a wife.’

‘Where didja ever get that idea, Lem?’

‘Oh, I jist wondered.’

‘Funny ideas you get, Lem. Did you ever hear of him havin’ a wife?’

‘Nope.’

‘I never did,’ said Fairweather. ‘I don’t think he ever did, unless he was married before he came to this country.’