"Fool!"
"I admit it," returned the engineer.
"Beg pardon, sir," uttered Hiram Shanks, quickly, "but after the warning you'd had, and the death of the detective, it seems to me that you ought to have been on your guard."
"So I ought; but it was on account of the detective."
"Don't put yourself out on his account," retorted the one-eyed man quickly. "The little experience I've had with a litter of that kind it don't pay to waste sympathy on 'em. Do you know who the fellow was that got you into this trap?"
"I am not positive. I know I saw the fellow once, and at the Golden Lion he registered as Mr. Brown."
"Exactly."
After a little more questioning, the peddler assured August that it was time to turn in.
"You needn't be scared. Tige'll watch out for tramps or other enemies to honest men."
"I would like to reach home."