"No. Spent years in the Western States—even before the railroad."
"Indeed? Ranching?"
"Yes."
"Do you know the—Macleod country?"
Again the politician's eyelids flickered. But Hector met his gaze unflinchingly.
"You see, I spent a lot of time there myself."
"Never been there in my life," said Molyneux.
"A grand country. I would have liked to have been posted to that district, I think."
"Oh?"
"Yes," asserted Hector. "I know the people well there. Besides, I heard they didn't want me here."