"No, I don't. It went far back—a woman, I guess. But I hope you won't ever say I told that it was. I promised I wouldn't, and I never did till now."
The big fellow looked at Garrison with honest anxiety in his eyes.
"It's not my business to tell things," Garrison assured him. "This is a matter perhaps of life and death for your brother. Do you think Mr. Hardy feared this man Cleave would take his life?"
"He did, yes."
"Was it ever attempted before?"
Durgin looked at him oddly.
"I think so, but I couldn't be sure."
"You mean, Mr. Hardy told you a little about it, but, perhaps, not all?"
"How did you know that?" Durgin asked, mystified by Garrison's swiftness of thinking.
"I don't know anything. I'm trying to find out. How much did Hardy tell you of a former attempt on his life?"