“Ellen Harmer is your name?” said the tall, swarthy man.
“It is. How know you that?”
“Ask no questions,” was the gruff answer, “and I will tell you no lies.”
“Perhaps, if I pay you well, it might be different?”
“Perhaps it might,” said the man, grinning, as he received a piece of gold offered to him.
“Have you been long encamped in these woods?”
“We have.”
“Did you hear or ascertain anything of a duel which was said to have taken place here a few days ago?”
“I did.”
“Who and what were the rash gentlemen?”