"They-all say that when they-all come up here."
Greeley felt in honour bound to give the young woman a hint as to his reading of her and her mission.
"It's a good spot, then, for weak lungs?"
"None better," Tod nodded sagely, "but they don't last long."
"What? The weak lungs? That's splendid! And now would you mind giving my horse a drink? Isn't it funny what nice horses they manage to evolve in the South on food that would end a cart-horse's existence up North? But such vehicles! Do look at this buggy! And no springs to mention. My! but my back will ache to-morrow."
By this time Greeley had procured a pail of water and was courteously holding it to the nose of the very grateful horse.
"I wonder," Miss Lowe casually remarked, as she let the reins fall in lap and looked about, "if you happen to have known a Theodore Starr who once lived here?"
"I've heard of him," Tod returned; "I ain't a Hollow man. I only came here on business six years ago, but the memory of Starr sort of clings like it was a good thing to keep alive."
"How beautifully you put it!"
Greeley was thinking how well the government had stocked this dangerous spy with facts, and so he did not observe the tears in her eyes.