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Chapter 8
Atoneendofthefirststreet,sopitchedthatitwasdirectlybehindhisshininggreentruck,stoodDakin’stent—alarge,patentedaffairwithacanvaswallinthemiddle,makingtworooms.Hisfoldingtableandchairsweresetup.Agroundclothlayonthefloor,andfromthecenterpoleahissinggasolinelanternhung.Dakinlivedinstyleandtraveledinluxury.Hehadnovices;everycentheorhiswifemadewenttohisliving,tohistruck,toprovidingnewequipmentforhiscamp.
Whenitwasdark,LondonandMacandJimstrolledtothetentandwentin.WithDakininthetentsatBurke,alowering,sullenIrishman,andtwoshortItalianmenwholookedverymuchalike.Mrs.Dakinhadretiredtotheothersideofthepartition.UnderthewhitelightofthegasolinelampDakin’spinkscalpshowedthroughhisblondhair.Hissecreteyesmovedrestlesslyabout."Hello,boys,findsomeplacetosit."
Londonchoseachair,theonlyoneleft.MacandJimsquattedontheground;MacbroughtouthisDurhambagandmadeacigarette."Thingsseemtobegoin’O.K.,"heobserved.
Dakin’seyesflickedtohim,andthenaway."Yeah,theyseemtobeallright."
"Theygotthosecopsherequick,"saidBurke."I’dliketotakeapokeatafewof’em."
Dakinreprovedhimcalmly."Letcopsalonetillyoucan’tnomore.Theyain’thurtin’athing."
Macasked,"Howthesquadsshapin’?"
"Allright.Theyallelectedtheirchiefs.Someof’emkickedoutthechiefandelectednewonesalready.Say,thatDocBurtonisaswellguy."
