Page:Jackson Gregory--joyous trouble maker.djvu/60

44 Do you know anything about a miner named Steele?" "Yes," said Stanton stiffly. "A good deal by hearsay. I have never seen him, though."

"You saw him today. I haven't time now for a lot of hearsay. What sort of man is he, do you know that?" "Not first hand. His reputation is that of a square sort of chap."

Beatrice sniffed.

"I'm scarcely interested in his morals. Does he amount to anything out among men? Is he just a loud talker or does he mean what he says? Has he ever done anything?"

"He's done some rather big things, I believe. He hasn't the name of being a wind bag, if that is what you mean. Ed Hurley knows him; Hurley has mentioned him to me. Ed thinks he is a big man in his way."

"In the way of a boor!" cut in Beatrice. "That is all, Stanton. I'll get further information from Hurley when I have time for it. I have just instructed him to see that William Steele refrains from trespassing on my property. You will co-operate with him in the matter."

Then, as the first car rolled into the open court Beatrice drove the puzzled look from her eyes, summoned an expression of welcoming gaiety which was not entirely spontaneous, and hurried out.

Three young women in motor veils and two men in goggles greeted her, the women effusively and with skilfully hidden envy, the men warmly and with admiration