Then you
started up, giving notice of your approach by whistling."
Fremont could not repress a smile at the positive manner
of the man as he described a situation which was purely
imaginary. Then, anxious to learn what other untruths
the fellow would relate, he asked:
"You know Jim Scoby, the night watchman, and Felix, the Mexican?"
"I know nothing of them," was the reply.
The two walked on side by side for some time in silence, the big
fellow turning now and then to look with disapproval at the
smiling face of the boy. Indeed, if the proof against him was
no stronger than this, the boy could well afford to smile, for
lies in evidence discredit any truth there may be on the side
of the falsifiers.
"Where are the men you refer to?" the big fellow asked, at length.
"They are down here looking for the Tolford mine," was the reply.
"They stole a description of it that night. Ever hear of the
Tolford mine?" he added abruptly.
The renegade gave a quick start at the question.
"How do you know they are down here?" he asked.
"Nestor says they followed on down after us. Were you there when
they got into the office and got the description?" he continued.
"I've heard of this mysterious mine," was the guarded reply,
"and I understand that this boy Nestor has a copy of the description."
"Is that why you wanted Nestor?" asked Fremont. "Are you after
the mine, too?"
The big fellow walked on in silence. It was plain to Fremont
that his abrupt questions were irritating him, so he decided
to go on with them.
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