They entered the office, which was unlocked, and Lem swore roundly when he did not find Joe Cave there. It was against the rules to leave the place unlocked. Lem opened the barred door at the rear of the office and went down the narrow corridor between the cells.
Old Paul Lane called a cheery good-morning to him, and his son wanted to know how soon he was to be turned loose.
‘I hope to get yuh out to-day, son. How’s everythin’?’
‘All right, if we had some breakfast.’
‘Ain’t yuh had no breakfast yet? Where’s Joe?’
‘He ain’t been in here this mornin’. I think he came to the office, but he didn’t come in here.’
‘Well, that’s a fine deal, folks. I’ll get yore grub right away.’
Lem came back to the office and told them to hold down the office while he went to the restaurant.
‘Go in and talk to ’em,’ he said. ‘They been askin’ about yuh. But don’t mention anythin’ about Nan bein’ missin.’
Old Paul Lane shook hands with them through the bars, and the son thanked Hashknife for what he had done to secure evidence that he did not shoot Ben Leach.