"Haven't you got hold of the wrong party ?" The man laughed, standing where he blocked all passage.
"I might have been convinced that I had an hour ago," he answered coldly.
"But since then I find I've made rather a good bet.

I have the honour of addressing Captain West, I believe ?" "You have the name correct; there is no reason why I should deny that.
Unfortunately, I do not know with whom I am conversing." "Quite easily remedied.

I am Joe Hogan, commonly called 'Red' Hogan.

The moniker means nothing to you." "I never heard it before." "I thought not, which merely proves you are not a 'fly-cop,' only a measly busy-body sticking your nose into some one else's business.

Well, we know how to take care of your kind, and this is likely to prove the last case you'll dabble in for a while, my man." "What does that mean--a threat ?" "Never mind what it means; it is a straight tip.