Joe, who had started back at the unexpected sight of the two men, took courage on hearing this, and realizing that he had not yet been recognized.
“I don’t know any one around here,” he said. “I’m pretty much of a stranger myself, but have you tried at this farmhouse?” and he pointed toward the one where the owner of the barn lived.
“Oh, we don’t want a farm horse!” exclaimed Mr. Holdney. “We want something that has some speed.” Then, as he looked more fully at Joe he exclaimed: “Haven’t I seen you somewhere before, my lad? I’m sure I have!”
He took a step toward our hero, and Joe’s heart gave a flutter. He was almost certain that Mr. Holdney would recognize him and then the next step would be to ask where he had been. The men might at once suspect that he had at least come past the place where they had been talking in secret, and they might even suspect that he had listened to them. Joe was in a predicament.
“I’m sure I’ve met you somewhere before,” went on Mr. Holdney, in his quick, nervous tones. “Do you live around here?”
“Yes,” answered Joe vaguely. “But I don’t know where you could get a fast horse unless it’s in town—in Riverside.”
He was about to pass on, hoping the men would not further bother him, when Mr. Holdney, coming a step nearer, said with great firmness:
“I’m sure I’ve seen you before. What’s your name?”