The Voice suddenly shouted from the bluff, but Gary continued on his way, seemingly oblivious to the sound.
“Who’s that hollerin’ up there? Thought you said you was alone here. What does that feller want?” James Blaine Hawkins left the Ford and started after Gary.
“Beg pardon?” While the Voice continued to shout, Gary looked inquiringly at Hawkins.
“I asked yuh who was hollerin’ up there! What does he want?”
Gary continued to look at James Blaine Hawkins. “Hollering?” His eyes narrowed a bit. “On the bluff, did you say?”
“Not over on that bluff,” James Blaine Hawkins bellowed. “Up there, across the creek! Good Lord, are yuh deef? Can’t yuh hear that hollering?”
Gary half turned his head and listened carefully. “Can you still hear it?” he asked in the midst of a loud halloo.
“You must be deef if you don’t,” James Blaine Hawkins spluttered.
Gary shook his head. “My hearing is splendid,” he stated calmly. “I was a wireless operator on a sub-chaser during the war. Do you still hear it?”
James Blaine Hawkins testified profanely that he did. He was looking somewhat paler than was normal. He stared at Gary anxiously.