“Was it unlocked?”
“Must ’a’ been—I jist turned the knob. I was on my hands and knees, kinda crawlin’ and feelin’ along, when I got hold of somethin’ that feels a lot like a man’s legs. I keeps on feelin’, and I keeps on a-risin’, until my hands touch his face, and then I hightailed it outside. I fell down over a box and bumped my head against the building, but kept on goin’. I reckon I plumb circled this side of the street, and just came back here a little while ago.”
“Yo’re drunk,” declared Nebrasky.
“I was drunk,” corrected Honey. “But by golly, I was sober a-plenty when I felt that jigger.”
“Is he there yet?” asked Lonnie.
“⸺, I tell yuh he’s roped to the chair!”
“Wait a minute,” said Sleepy. “You boys go over to the Pinnacle and let me handle this, will yuh?”
“Go to it,” said Lonnie. “C’mon, you fellers.”
Sleepy went down the street to the sheriff’s office. He was perfectly sober and none the worse for their escapade, except for a slightly skinned knee. Both Kelsey and Ralston were at the office when Sleepy came in.
“Yuh better investigate the bank,” said Sleepy. “I just came past there, and I thought I heard a man groanin’.”