"`And he had 'em! I asked him what time it was so I could keep
the hour straight for McDuyal, I told him, but the real reason
was so I could see his hands.'"

Walker crossed one leg over the other.

"It was clever," he said, "and I hesitated to shatter it. But
the question had to come.

"`Where is your man?' I said.

"The hobo executed a little deprecatory step, with his fingers
picking at his coat pockets.

"`That's the trouble, Governor,' he answered; `I intended to
sleuth him for you, but he gave me a dollar and I got drunk . . .
you saw me. That man had got out at McDuyal's place not five
minutes before. I was flashin' to the booze can when you tried
to stop me . . . . Nothin' doin' when I get the price.'"

Walker paused.

"It was a good fairy story and worth something. I offered him
half a dollar. Then I got a surprise.

"The creature looked eagerly at the coin in my fingers, and he
moved toward it. He was crazy for the liquor it would buy. But
he set his teeth and pulled up.

"`No, Governor,' he said, `I'm in it for the sawbuck. Where'll I