seemed like the best plan. When I arrived home, I decided to tell Mallie the reason for Bat's visit the previous week, and for the one I was expecting that evening. She was not happy.

"I thought all of that was behind you." "It probably is."

"Then why is he here?"

"That's what Bat is going to find out."

Bat arrived as promised later that evening. He explained that as the owner of the Variety, he had stopped by several of the tables to chat with patrons. When he got to the table occupied by Bledsoe and his companions, Bat listened to the conversation a bit and picked up a reference to Kansas.

"You boys from Kansas?" Bat asked.

"Who wants to know?" one of the men with Bledsoe asked. "Nobody in particular. I'm...

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