CHAPTER 38
The fine gray head, the hawklike, aristocratic face, and the superior
manner of Waters procured him admission to many places where the ordinary
man was barred. It secured him admission on this day to the office of
Sheriff McGuire, though McGuire had refused to see his best friends.
A proof of the perturbed state of his mind was that he accepted the
proffered fresh cigar of Waters without comment or thanks. His mental
troubles made him crisp to the point of rudeness.
“I’m a tolerable busy man, Mr.—Waters, I think they said your name was.
Tell me what you want, and make it short, if you don’t mind.”
“Not a bit, sir. I rarely waste many words. But I think on this occasion
we have a subject in common that will interest you.”
Waters had come on what he felt was more or le
