“Well, what have we done that the sheriff of this county or any other county in California should come around and demand our names, as if we were criminals?”
“Ye’re suspicious characters.”
“Is that it? And we look like dangerous criminals?”
“I’ve seen fellows what didn’t look more dangerous than you as was rather tough.”
“Well, we are not tough, and we have no reason for concealing our names.”
Then Frank gave the name of each of the boys, pointing them out as he did so, and told how they happened to be in California.
Bill Higgins, as the man had called himself, listened and looked them over. His manner seemed to change, and he said:
“You tell that pretty straight, and I reckon you’re not giving me a crooked deal, but whar’s to’ other one?”
“What other one?”
“The one what owns the other bisuckle. Thar’s only five of you, and here are six bisuckles.”