Just then the object of their conversation came up to the porch where they were sitting and Jeb decided to take the bull by the horns and have it over with.
"Los," he began before the man had time to speak, "I want to ask you a question and I want a straight answer. Who were you signaling to night before last?"
Bob was watching the man closely and he saw him give a sudden though slight start.
"What yer mean, signaling?" he demanded.
"You know what I mean. Come, out with it."
"I didn't signal no one."
"What's the use of lying, Los? You know me well enough to know that I wouldn't accuse you if I didn't have you dead to rights."
Los turned a look of malignancy toward Bob as much as to say he knew where Jeb had gotten his information.
"I reckon it ain't any use fer me ter say any more," he said sullenly.
"Then you refuse to tell?"