“Fine chance!” snorted Kelsey. “In the first place I’d have a hard time gettin’ any men. Joe is too popular. And in the second place, with all the friends Joe’s got—well, figure it out for yourself.”
“Do yuh think somebody is hidin’ him, Kelsey?”
“I won’t say that, but it could happen.”
“Yeah, I think so,” nodded Hashknife.
“Well, then you don’t care to come in on the deal, eh?” queried Cates.
“Nope. Oh, I’m much obliged to yuh and all that, but it’s out of my line, Cates. I wish yuh luck.”
Cates laughed sourly.
“I’ll need it, Hartley.”
They shook hands with Hashknife and went back to their buggy. Hashknife watched them ride away and turned to see Sleepy and Honey standing in the doorway.
“We snuck out and listened,” said Honey truthfully.