"My dear young lady," returned Forrester, "about all we do is to ask each other questions. Sometimes I don't get an answer."
"I accept the reproof and apologize," she said, and smiled. "I live just a little way up this road."
"And I am—unfortunately—a victim," admitted Forrester.
"Now we're quits," laughed the girl. "Let's begin again."
"If this tree has a bad reputation," said Forrester, "I am curious to know why a girl, alone, takes a doubtful chance by talking to a strange man in its shadow."
The girl partly withdrew her right hand from her coat pocket.
"I'm not quite alone," she answered, and Forrester saw that she held a small automatic in her hand. "This has been covering you ever since I rode up."
"Certainly I shall now feel it incumbent upon me to answer all questions," smiled Forrester.
"All right," she retorted, quickly, "what is your name?"
"Forrester."