Jack shook his head. "I'm on my own," he said. "Always."
"What kind of a reputation do these men bear?" asked Sir Bryson.
"Bad," said Jack.
Sir Bryson frowned, and squeezed his pointed beard. "How, bad?" he wanted to know.
"Confidence men. They were square enough up here. They had to be. They saved their game to work outside."
"How do you know all this?" demanded Sir Bryson.
"It's no secret," said Jack. "Beckford bragged about what he'd do."
"And did no one take any steps to stop them?"
"It was none of our business," said Jack. "And if it had been we couldn't very well follow them all over, and warn people off, could we?"
Sir Bryson snorted. "Where have they staked out claims?" he demanded.