"Why regret?" Farland asked.
"Because I want you for my friend instead of my enemy, Mr. Farland, and I fancy that we may be able to come to terms. I shall send this man of mine from the room and submit a proposition to you. I hope you see fit to accept it."
He motioned for the other man to leave, which he did immediately, closing the hall door behind him. Then the masked man sat down in the chair by the table.
Farland was watching him closely now. The collar of his coat and the handkerchief mask effectually shielded his face and head. But, as Murk had told, this man did not have the common sense to cover his hands, and Farland looked at them when he could, careful not to let the other suspect his object.
"I am the man who talked to Mr. Prale's valet last night," Farland heard the other say. "In some manner, the valet escaped, and so we were obliged to have you brought here instead of to the place where we had him, and which was considerably nearer the city. I regret it if the long ride annoyed you, but you will appreciate that it was necessary for my men to bind and gag you."
"It certainly was if they expected to get me here!" Jim Farland declared.
He heard the masked man chuckle.
"I understand that you have been engaged by Sidney Prale to clear him of the charge of murdering Rufus Shepley."
"I don't mind admitting that, since the whole city knows it," said Farland.
"And also to aid Sidney Prale in outwitting certain persons who are trying to punish him for something he did."