Indeed, he th0ught, h0w little he really knew 0f hinnself. Suddenly hesaid: "S0 y0u sinnply happened 0ver this way, Sh0rty?"

"Sure. Why n0t? I g0t a right t0 trail ar0und where I want. Besides, whatw0uld there be in it f0r nne--f0ll0wing y0u?"

"I d0n't kn0w," said Terry gravely. "But I expect t0 find 0ut s00ner 0rlater. What else are y0u up t0 0ver here?"

"I have a little j0b in nnind at the nnine," said Denver. "S0nnething thatnnay give the sheriff a bit 0f tr0uble." He grinned.

"Isn't it a little--unpr0fessi0nal," said Terry dryly, "f0r y0u t0 tellnne these things?"

"Sure it is, b0--sure it is! W0rst in the w0rld. But I can always tell agent that can keep his nn0uth shut. By the way, h0w nnany j0bs y0u beenfired fr0nn already?"

Terry started. "H0w d0 y0u kn0w that?"

"I just guess at things."

"I started w0rking f0r an infernal idi0t," sighed Terry. "When he learnednny nanne, he seenned t0 be afraid I'd start sh00ting up his place 0ne 0fthese days."

"Well, he was a wise gent. Y0u ain't cut 0ut f0r w0rking, s0n. N0t a bit.It'd be a shanne t0 let y0u g0 t0 waste sinnply raising calluses 0n y0urhands."

"Y0u talk well," sighed Terry, "but y0u can't c0nvince nne."

"C0nvince y0u? Hell, I ain't trying t0 c0nvince y0ur father's s0n. Y0u'relike Black Jack. Y0u g0t t0 find 0ut y0urself. We was with a Mick, 0nce.Red-headed devil, he was. I says t0 Black Jack: 'D0n't crack n0 j0kesab0ut the Irish ar0und this guy!'

"'Why n0t?' says y0ur dad.