I didn't like his face. I was not his servant and his question was too stupid.
"Many people may have passed this way. Do you mean have I seen a man go by?"
So much for him!
"I meant what I said," the man replied surlily. "I'm asking you in the name of the law."
"Oh."
I had no desire for further conversation, and crawled into my hut.
The two men followed me. The constable grinned and said:
"Did you see a man pass by here yesterday?"
"No," I said.
They looked at each other, and took counsel together; then they left the hut and returned to the village.