"No, sir," I answered. "Tell me about it."
It was some time before he spoke again. I heard Bob's gentle breathing.
"Have you ever noticed deep marks on the stairs out there?" he asked.
"Yes, sir."
"The prints of a horse's shoes?" he said. And then after a silence, asked: "Do you think that I have been drinking to-night?"
"No, sir."
"Little liar you, you know I have."
"But tell me about the man and the marks on the stairs?"
"Hush! was that your mistress calling me? Wait a moment." I waited for him to continue, scarcely able to keep from trembling against his knee. "Would you think that a man could ride up those stairs?" he asked.