"Why should I, sir?"
"Because you have aroused my curiosity."
The old man appeared to enjoy the situation, and at length he said:
"See here, stranger, maybe you know as much about those troubles as I do."
"I don't."
"You don't?"
"I do not."
"And you are not down here picking up facts for Jake's granddaughter?"
Jack had hard work to keep himself from leaping backward in his excitement, for here in a most unexpected manner he had gained a link of evidence that was the most startling and suggestive of any he had yet unearthed.
"I swear I am not trying to gain information for any evil purpose; I am just gratifying my curiosity. Why, man, don't you know I could go and find out all I wanted to about Jake Canfield if I had any deep purpose?"