“Where, if I might be bold to ask?”
“If you’ve got any questions to ask, ask them of me, Fred,” directed Banneker.
While there was nothing truculent in his manner, it left no doubt as to his readiness and determination.
Fred looked both sullen and crestfallen.
“It ain’t nothin’,” he said. “Only, inquiries was bein’ made by a gent from a Angelica City noospaper last week.”
“Somebody else meant,” asserted Banneker. “You keep that in mind, will you? And it isn’t necessary that you should mention this lady at all. Savvy, Fred?”
The other grunted, touched his sombrero to Io and rode on.
“Has a reporter been here inquiring after me?” asked Io.
“Not after you. It was some one else.”
“If the newspapers tracked me here, I’d have to leave at once.”