But the hard caution of the other was not to be moved.
"I am sorry," said he, "but I can give you no information in regard to Mr. Mansell's travels. You will have to ask the gentleman himself."
"You did not send him out on business of your own, then?"
"No."
"But you knew he was going?"
"Yes."
"And can tell when he came back?"
"He was in his place on Wednesday."
The cold, dry nature of these replies convinced Mr. Byrd that something more than the sullen obstinacy of an uncommunicative man lay behind this determined reticence. Looking at Mr. Goodman inquiringly, he calmly remarked:
"You are a friend of Mr. Mansell?"