"Did you see any robbers?"
"Robbers?" Ippolito's look was one of quick suspicion. "Who has ever seen a robber?"
"Come, come! I heard the Count and Ricardo talking. You have been away, among the orange-groves, all night. Am I right?"
"You are right."
"Tell me, is it common thieves or outlaws whom you watch? I have heard about your brigands."
"Ippolito!" came the harsh voice of Ricardo, who at that moment appeared around the corner of the stable. "In the kitchen you will find food."
Ippolito bowed to the American and departed, his rifle beneath his arm.
Blake turned his attention to the overseer, for his mind, once filled with an idea, was not easily satisfied. But Ricardo would give him no information. He raised his bushy, gray eyebrows at the American's question.
"Brigands? Ippolito is a great liar."
Seeing the angry sparkle in the old fellow's eyes, Norvin hastened to say: