"What makes you think there is anything the matter?" asked George, with a smile. "Have you and he been having any trouble?"
"Not that I know of, except that he might have got cross when he was at the well, and thought I ought to have treated one of the proprietors with a little more deference. I was helping set the drills when he came out last, and I'm not sure but that I spoke sharply when I answered his questions; but I didn't intend to."
"I guess there's nothing the matter with him," said George, rather enjoying the moonlighter's perplexity, knowing how soon it would be ended. "You probably were a trifle cross, when he was there, and, being guilty, fancied that he spoke or acted differently from usual."
"I didn't fancy it, for he was queer. I asked him where he was going, and so did Mr. Simpson; but he wouldn't answer either of us."
"I'll find out what the trouble is when he comes back, and let you know," replied George.
And with this answer, Bob went back to his work, thinking it very singular that Ralph, who had always been so good-natured, should have suddenly become so crusty.
Twice during the remainder of the forenoon, Bob came to the house with some trifling excuse for so doing, but really to learn if Ralph had returned; and while he was there the last time, talking with George about the probabilities of striking sand or gravel rock, the junior partner returned.
He had with him some official-looking documents, and, as he entered the house, he said to Bob, speaking quite sharply without any intention of so doing, and yet resolving all the moonlighter's suspicions into certainties:
"I want some witnesses to George's signature. Will you bring Mr. Simpson, Jim and Dick here?"
Bob arose silently to comply with the request, looked at Ralph wonderingly and reproachfully an instant, and then left the room.