Episode Ten: The Twilight of Mike Chapter 2

Finally: "You -- dirty -- skunk," drawled Clinch in his agreeably misleading voice, "by Jesus Christ I got you now."

"Ah -- h," said Quintana, "thees has happen ver' nice like I expec'. ... Always I say myse'f, yet a little patience, Jose, an' one day you shall meet thees fellow Clinch, who has rob you. ... I am ver' thankful to the good God----"

He had made the slightest of movements: instantly both men were behind their trees. Clinch, in the ferocious pride of woodcraft, laughed exultingly -- filled the dim and spectral forest with his roar of laughter.

"Quintana," he called out, "you're a-going to cash in. Savvy? You're a-going to hop off. An' first you gotta hear why. 'Tain't for the stuff. Naw! I hooked it off'n you; you hooked it off'n me; now I got it again. That's all square. ... No, 'tain't that grudge, you green-livered whelp of a cross-bred, still-born slut! No! It's becuz you laid the heft o' your dirty little finger onto my girlie. 'N' now you gotta hop!"

Quintana's sinister laughter was his retort. Then: "You damfool Clinch," he said. "I got in my pocket what you rob of me. Now I kill you, and then I feel ver' well. I go home, live like some kings; yes. But you," he sneered, "you shall not go home never no more. No. You shall remain in thees damn wood like ver' dead old rat that is all wormy. ... He! I got a million dollaire -- five million franc in my pocket. You shall learn what it cost to rob Jose Quintana! Understan'?"