human
I guess you heard what happened up the track?
gpt
I did. Rather amusing in some respects, wasn't it? I understand that you and the trooper sat out most of the night watching an empty shack.
human
Well, asserted Slaney grimly,
gpt
From what I know of Winthrop, I'm inclined to believe he did. In fact, in my opinion, it would be considerably wiser of Nevis if he left that man alone. I'm not sure he has a very good case against him, anyway; though, of course, that's no concern of yours or mine. You can't pick up his trail?
human
That's a cold fact, declared the corporal.
gpt
I guess you wouldn't mind getting down and walking along a few yards with me?
human
It's not worth while. I've no objections to Miss Leigh's hearing what you have to say, and I'm afraid Volador wouldn't stand unless I kept the reins. The flies are bothering him, and he doesn't seem quite easy when you're in the neighborhood. Thorne paused and laughed.
gpt
In a way, that's not astonishing.
human
Then, he said,
gpt
I'm not the man to make useless trouble--anyway, unless it's going to give me a shove up toward promotion--but you're worrying me. The fact is, wherever I pick up Winthrop's trail I strike yours too. Now there was a night some while back when we ran one of you down close to the frontier.
human
Why should I ride for the frontier with the police after me?
gpt
That's what I don't exactly know, but I have my views. I want to say that we picked up a black plug hat when we were coming back along the trail. The point is that the thing was new. Then we found a brown duck jacket with a tear in it, but I figured the tear had been made quite lately.
human
I don't think you could prove very much from that.
gpt
Well, said Slaney,
human
I could try. It would look bad if I put the other matter of the horse Winthrop found near your homestead alongside it. Now I'll ask you right out--Are you going to mix yourself up with Jake's affairs any more?
gpt
In return, I'd like to hear whether you have any notion of carrying your investigations further?
human
I guess it will depend a good deal on your answer; that is, unless Nevis gets hold of the thing.
gpt
Then it's my intention to drop Jake Winthrop now. There's very little probability of his wanting any further assistance that I could render him.
human
Well, let it go at that, replied Slaney simply.
gpt
I guess it will save you trouble. Good-day to you.
human
One could have imagined that you and the corporal were making a bargain,
gpt
Well, he admitted,
human
I'm afraid it was quite illegal, but it amounted to something very much like that. The bargain, however, is only a provisional one. If Nevis chances on the truth, he may upset it by forcing Slaney's hand.
gpt
But, after all, you gave each other only a vague hint. It would be difficult even to reproach the corporal if, as you say, he went back on it.
human
Oh, yes, assented Thorne dryly.
gpt
Still, I haven't the least reason for believing that probable.