“Where was Semler?” Darrin had asked, so casually.
And Evered cried, “Semler? Who said he was here?”
Darrin looked surprised. “Why, I did not know it was a secret. He told me—himself.”
Evered was tense and still where he sat. “He—you know him?”
Darrin laughed a little. “I wouldn’t say that. I don’t care for the man. I met him a little before I came up here, and told him where I was coming; and he advised me not to come. Told me of this—tragedy.”
“Told you he was here?”
Darrin nodded. “Yes; how he tried to fight off the bull.”
Evered came to his feet, half crouching. “The black liar and coward ran like a rabbit,” he said under his breath; and his face was an ugly thing to see.
Darrin cried, “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to—waken old sorrows. It doesn’t matter. Forget it.” He sought, palpably, to change to another topic. “Are you getting in your apples yet?”
Evered would not be put off. “See here,” he said. “What did Dane Semler tell you?”