"Works for old man
Packard."
"Sure, I know him. What about him?"
"Seen him lately?"
"Ten minutes ago. Why? Want him?"
Packard had not counted on this, having no idea that Blenham was in
town. He hesitated, then said quickly:
"Hasn't left yet, has he? Where is he now?"
"Down to the depot. Trailin' a skirt. An' some skirt, too, take it
from me."
He laughed.
Steve wanted suddenly to slap the broad, ugly face. Since, however, he
could formulate no logically sufficient reason for the act, he said
instead:
"Maybe I'll see him before I pull out. If I don't, ask him if he lost
a wad like this?"
Fleetingly he flashed the little roll of banknotes before Hodges's eyes.
"Greenbacks?" asked Hodges. "How much?"
Packard laughed.
"Not so all-fired much," he said lightly. "But enough to buy a hat!"
"If hats are sellin' ten dollars or under?" ventured Hodges.
Packard affected to look surprised.
"What do you know about how much is in this roll?" he demanded
innocently.
"One-dollar bills?" said Hodges. "Ten of 'em?"
"You don't look like a mind-reader."
"Well, you're right about the wad bein' Blenham's. Leave it with me,
if you want. I'll see he gets it. There ain't enough there for a man
to steal," he added reassuringly.
"How do you know it's Blenham's? If he told you that he had lost it
he'd have told you where.
Pages:
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96