you! I kin forget I ever saw you."

"That's good. I thought you'd be that way. So, as no one knows I'm in
town (the colonel knew nothing of what Shag had said to the newsboy), I
can keep under cover and have my fishing as I like it--quiet. I don't
intend any one shall know I'm here, either.

"Now, Spotty, I'm a plain-spoken man when there's occasion for it, and
this is one of those times, I guess. You saved my life just now, I
know that. Of course I realize I might just have been badly hurt, and
perhaps have lingered on in a hospital for some years--but that would
be worse than death. I consider that you saved my life. I couldn't
have moved out of the way of that truck any more than I could have
flown. I realize it more and more. You did me the biggest service one
man can do another, and I'm not going to forget it, Spotty."

"No, I guess remembering is your long suit, Colonel."

"Well, that's all in a day's work. I didn't forget you, Spotty. Now,
as I said, you saved my life. I believe in turning the tables, and
though I can't do for you what you did for me, maybe I can help in a
way."

"You kin gamble on that, Colonel!"

"Listen to me, Spotty," and the detective leaned forward and spoke in a
low, tense voice. "Just now, as I say, I'm not in this case. Not
being a public official, I'm not bound to use what knowledge or
suspicions I have regarding this matter, and I'm not particularly
interested--as yet. So I'm going to give you a chance, just as you