“Hook ——!” Blue’s vocal cords seemed to unhook with a bang.
“What do you mean, Jake? Didn’t the jury——?”
“To —— with the jury! They turned the Swede loose and said that Quinn was killed by parties unknown; that’s what happened!”
“——!” grunted Easton. “I thought you was so —— clever.”
“Thasso?”
Blue masticated rapidly as if trying to control his temper.
“How about that rifle?” asked Easton.
Blue spat explosively.
“You want to know, do you? So do I! I had that rifle in a rack in my office. I had three more rifles in that same rack. I went to git that rifle this mornin’ and——”
“It wasn’t there, eh?” interrupted Easton.