“I see what yuh mean.”
“Well, can’t I induce you to work with us, Hartley?” asked Cates. “I can put you on the pay-roll in thirty minutes after I get back to town. I tell you, I’m helpless; and the sheriff admits that he can’t do anything.”
Hashknife shook his head slowly.
“No-o-o, I’m not interested, Cates. As I said before, it’s just a case of goin’ out and gettin’ a man who knows every blade of grass in this country by its first name. What the sheriff ought to do is to make up a posse and comb this whole country. He must be hidin’ in the valley.”
“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.”