"What became of that bunch of hot-air artists who were out here?"
"They drifted away, sir--home, I expect. The last few of 'em left when Mr. Graham came along."
"Ah." Simon had asked about the men almost idly as his cold gaze swept the clearing before the door. He had been on the point of crossing the threshold when Nelson's casual remark stopped him short in his tracks. "Mr. Graham was here? When was that?"
"Not twenty minutes ago, sir."
"Twenty minutes ago?" Varr thought back, and his calculations brought a frown of annoyance to his brow. "Did he speak to you?"
"No, sir. I made sure at first that he was comin' here, but Langhorn had just left and he stopped Mr. Graham and spoke to him."
"Humph. Did they talk together long?"
"Five or ten minutes, sir."
"Could you hear what they said?"
"No, sir. They were too far away. Langhorn did most of the talkin' and I figured he was probably tellin' Mr. Graham a hard-luck story."