Page:Tomlinson--The rider of the black horse.djvu/310

294 "From New York?" inquired the old man quickly.

"I should hardly like to tell you just where I came from," replied Robert, smiling as he spoke.

"I see, I see," responded the old man quickly. "It is well to be cautious in days like these. I was expecting some one this morning. I wonder if you can be the man."

"I stopped here to get some breakfast. I saw a friend of mine in front of the house. Is it your house?" he added.

"Yes, sir. Yes, sir. The house is mine. The Notts have been unfortunate, and my wife insisted that they should come here. I do not altogether approve. Still one must be hospitable. You did not tell me where you came from."

"No, sir," laughed Robert good-naturedly. The old man was a puzzle to him, but if his oddities were all that he had to fear, he need not be alarmed, he assured himself. "If you can give me some breakfast I 'll pay you for it," he added.

"Did you see what I was doing when you came into the barn?"

"Yes, sir."

"What was it?"