"Yep. That's not a name to forget very easily, but, of course, I suppose most of them went by assumed names and he might have been calling himself something else. But what's the idea?"
Bob told him about the man who had applied for a job and his suspicions concerning him.
"But you say Jeb knows him?" he asked as soon as he had finished.
"Yes, he knows him all right. In fact it seems that they're old friends or, at least, used to be."
"Then I guess that settles it."
"Not necessarily. You see, it's been twenty years or so since they have seen each other and I reckon a man go bad in less time than that."
"Well, that's right too," and Bob noticed that a pained look crossed the other's face.
"I didn't mean—" he began, but Royce interrupted.
"I know you didn't. What kind of a looking fellow is he?"
"About average height, around forty-five, smooth shaved, or rather he was perhaps four or five days ago. Has a rather high forehead and brown hair. That's about as well as I can describe him."