human
Don't care if I do, Bill, he continued, in response to Bill's invitatory gesture, walking to the bar.
gpt
It's a little raw out on the road. Well, what were you saying about Ramon Martinez gang? You haven't come across one of 'em, have you?
human
No,
gpt
And you _won't_, added the Superintendent, leisurely sipping his liquor.
human
For the fact is, the gang is about played out. Not from want of a job now and then, but from the difficulty of disposing of the results of their work. Since the new instructions to the agents to identify and trace all dust and bullion offered to them went into force, you see, they can't get rid of their swag. All the gang are spotted at the offices, and it costs too much for them to pay a fence or a middleman of any standing. Why, all that flaky river gold they took from the Excelsior Company can be identified as easy as if it was stamped with the company's mark. They can't melt it down themselves; they can't get others to do it for them; they can't ship it to the Mint or Assay Offices in Marysville and 'Frisco, for they won't take it without our certificate and seals, and _we_ don't take any undeclared freight _within_ the lines that we've drawn around their beat, except from people and agents known. Why, _you_ know that well enough, Jim, he said, suddenly appealing to the Expressman,
gpt
Yes--of course--certainly.
human
No, sir, resumed the Superintendent cheerfully,
gpt
Ye didn't, he said, with a slow, drawling, but perfectly distinct, articulation,
human
Yes.
gpt
And his daughter?
human
He hasn't got any.
gpt
A sort o' mild, innocent, guileless child of nature?
human
No. I tell you he _hasn't_ any daughter. Old man Hemmings is a confirmed old bachelor. He's too mean to support more than one.
gpt
And you didn't happen to know any o' that gang, did ye?
human
Yes. Knew 'em all. There was French Pete, Cherokee Bob, Kanaka Joe, One-eyed Stillson, Softy Brown, Spanish Jack, and two or three Greasers.
gpt
And ye didn't know a man by the name of Charley Byng?
human
No,
gpt
A dark, stylish chap, with shifty black eyes and a curled up merstache?
human
No. Look here, Bill, I'm in a little bit of a hurry--but I suppose you must have your little joke before we part. Now, what _is_ your little game?
gpt
Wot you mean?
human
Mean? Well, old man, you know as well as I do. You're giving me the very description of Ramon Martinez himself, ha! ha! No--Bill! you didn't play me this time. You're mighty spry and clever, but you didn't catch on just then.