Here followed a great deal of talk regarding Mr. Livingstone’s friends; Ben, as he idly listened, noted that now and then the interest of Hawkins was aroused at the mention of certain names; but for the most part the man made no sign.
All this time the Porcupine, who sat with his back to the two men, had been studying Ben. And when he noted a flagging of the latter’s interest, he spoke.
“It seems to me,” said he, “that you have been mightily taken by those two.”
Ben smiled good-humoredly; and yet there was a grave expression in his eyes.
“By one of them only,” he corrected.
“And that is Master Hawkins,” said the dwarf.
Ben nodded.
“But why?” asked the other, curiously. “Have you ever seen him before to-day? What has he done that you should be so interested in him?”
Ben made no reply for a few moments; and when he did speak his voice was low and troubled.
“I don’t know just why I am so interested in him,” he replied. “I have never seen him before to-day; and it is not anything which he has done which attracts me; it is,” vaguely, “what he may be about to do.”