"I purchased the property for the railroad, acting as their agent."
"Who did you buy it from?" Bill snapped.
"Mr. Thomas."
"When did you buy it?" asked Bill.
"About ten months ago."
Bill's shoulders straightened at Hammond's reply and he drew himself together with a quick shrug, taking a swift step forward and peering into Hammond's face.
"That was three months before you bought mother's place?" he asked.
"Yes," jerked Hammond, sulkily.
"Then, why did you say you had never met him until you met him at the hotel?"
Hammond started, alarm in the quick glance that traveled from Bill to Raymond Thomas. He realized he had overstepped himself. Thinking the better plan would be to brave it out, he bellowed: