"You want an answer to your question?"
"Oh, come off," said the young stranger.
"That settles it," said Ike.
There came a smile upon the face of the youth and he caused a voice to come like a halloo from away down the other end of the room, inquiring:
"Say, owl, who is this young chap?"
Ike was amazed, but the owl uttered its peculiar hoot and answered seemingly: "He's the devil himself."
The halloo came again.
"I thought so, for he is not square; he don't keep his promises."
"Why not?" asked the owl.
"He promised you should tell who he was."