“I can’t think of any stranger thing than that,” said Ben.
And the laugh now was at Trafton’s expense, but he didn’t seem to mind it.
By this time the general curiosity was aroused.
“Who is this rich man you’re talkin’ about, Trafton?” asked Sam Cummings.
“The hermit of the cliff,” answered the fisherman.
There was a general rustle of surprise.
“What reason have you for saying that?” asked Mr. Jones, the landlord.
By this time, however, John Trafton began to suspects that he had been imprudent and he answered with a mysterious shake of the head:
“I’ve no call to tell you that, but I’ve got my reasons.”
“Can’t you tell us, John?” asked Ben Barton.