"Who told you?" growled Ump.
"Them as knows," she said. And the curiosity piped in her voice. "Did they lie?"
"They did," said Ump; "Mister Ward's hurt, but he ain't dangerous."
"Bless my life," cried the old woman, "an' they lied, did they? I think a liar is the meanest thing the Saviour died for. They said Mister Ward was took sudden with blood poison last night, an' a-dyin', the scalawags! I'll dress 'em down when I git my eyes on 'em."
"Who were they, Aunt Peggy?" I ventured.
She made a funny gesture with her elbows, and then shook her finger at me. "You know I can't tell that, Quiller," she piped, "but the blessed God knows, an' I hope He'll tan their hides for 'em."
"I know, too," said Ump.
The old woman leaned out of the door. "Hey?" she said; "what's that? You know? Then maybe you'll tell why they come a-lyin'."
"Can you keep a secret?" said Ump, leaning down from his saddle.
The old woman's face lighted. She put her hand to her ear and craned her neck like a turtle. "Yes," she said, "I can that."