"Has it?" asked Forrester, innocently, after a pause.
The girl regarded him keenly for a moment before she spoke.
"For a man who knows so little about it," she said, sarcastically, "you seem to have been in a great hurry to get here."
"I don't see why you should suppose this to be my original destination," returned Forrester. "Possibly the large size of this tree attracted my attention in passing."
"Perhaps," she said, and both smiled as they recalled the last time that word was spoken. Then she added, "But you have not passed yet. Your car is still some distance back on the road. Think of a better one."
"Tell me," exclaimed Forrester, "do you live near here?"
Her face hardened as she replied, "That is an unnecessary question at this time. I might even say that it savors of an evasion."
"I beg your pardon," said Forrester, stiffly.
Again the girl sat silently regarding him and Forrester met her eyes with a steady look. He surmised that she was appraising him and her next question confirmed his thought.
"Are you a victim?" she inquired.