I have nver read (nor even heard of the book!) The Huckery Mole, but huckery, is what a huckster does.

Huckery is flim flam, grifting, sleight of hand, being conned.
A Huckster is master as such art work.
and i guess we have tricked Max into hanging out here.. year after year, waiting for an answer. I hope you'll stay now that you've gotten it!