“Timidity has given our dear friend Louis a certain wisdom,” said Neuburg, smiling his creaseless smile. “There is something in what he says.”
“That means,” commented Joe without emotion—“that means you ain’t goin’ to dump this coyote inter the river.”
“No—no—no!” cried the gluemaker feverishly. “If it got out, that would——” The man Louis seemed to have a terror of finishing sentences.
“Aw, you’re crazy,” said Joe. “You make me real tired. Get quit o’ him once and for all, I says.”
“The shock of the water would bring him to,” murmured Mr. Neuburg, not in friendliness towards Clement, but in speculation.
“We could fix that—rope him,” said Joe.
“And that would indicate foul play. So would hitting him over the head, or shooting him before we slipped him into the St. Lawrence....”
“I could keep him safe,” put in the timid Louis. “Safe, up at top of house. In that room he’d never get out. You see.”
“He’d have to get out sometime,” said Mr. Neuburg.