Американские боги

           Allofthemid-afternoonsinAprilhadalreadygone,markedoffinHinzelmann’slinednotebook.Shadowboughtatwenty-five-minuteperiodonthemorningofMarchthetwenty-third,from9:00A.M.to9:25A.M.HehandedHinzelmannfortydollars.

           "Ijustwisheverybodyintownwasaseasyasellasyouare,"saidHinzelmann.

           "It’sathank-youforthatrideyougavemethatfirstnightIwasintown."

           "No,Mike,"saidHinzelmann."It’sforthechildren."Foramomenthelookedserious,withnotraceofimpishnessonhiscreasedoldface."Comedownthisafternoon,youcanlendahandpushingtheklunkeroutontothelake."

           HepassedShadowfivebluecards,eachwithadateandtimewrittenonitinHinzelmann’sold-fashionedhandwriting,thenenteredthedetailsofeachinhisnotebook.

           "Hinzelmann,"askedShadow."Haveyoueverheardofeaglestones?"

           "UpnorthofRhinelander?Nope,that’sEagleRiver.Can’tsayIhave."

           "Howaboutthunderbirds?"

           "Well,therewastheThunderbirdFramingGalleryuponFifthStreet,butthatcloseddown.I’mnothelping,amI?"

           "Nope."

           "Tellyouwhat,whydon’tyougolookatthelibrary.Goodpeople,althoughtheymaybekindofdistractedbythelibrarysaleonthisweek.Ishowedyouwherethelibrarywas,didn’tI?"

           Shadownodded,andsaidsolong.