As he spoke, the guerrilla eyed Dr. Mackey sharply. On more than one occasion he had been the doctor's tool, and now he thought it no more than fair that the medical man should stand by him.
"Evidently you know this guerrilla," said Jack slowly.
"I do," answered the doctor slowly. He hardly knew how to proceed.
"I aint no guerrilla, an' Dr. Mackey kin prove it," cried Pete Gendron. The coming of the medical man had raised his spirits wonderfully.
"You are a guerrilla."
"I aint. Dr. Mackey will prove my words. He's a friend o' mine. Aint ye, doc?"
There was a peculiar emphasis to the guerrilla's words which made the surgeon shift uneasily from one foot to the other.
"If I don't humor Gendron, he may expose me," thought the surgeon dismally. "He knows too much to be made an enemy of."
"Is he your friend?" asked Jack.
"Not exactly my friend, Jack, but I know him pretty well," answered Dr. Mackey slowly, as if trying to feel his way.