“I should say we do,” put in Tom.
Teddy Banes turned his impassive face toward the expectant Ramblers.
“I sure think I know,” he said, his harsh, guttural voice filling the room. “Boys go with me to Cree village. Sometimes I see cowpunchers there, and on that day three—four, maybe.”
“And so did I!” cried Tom.
For an instant a gleam of humor seemed to play in Teddy Banes’ eyes.
“An’ you talk much—very much,” he exclaimed. “You say: ‘No; never we leave the Northwest Territories until Jed Warren is found.’ And you say that very loud.”
“Oh!” said Tom, looking a trifle embarrassed. “Suppose I did? Wasn’t it true?”
“Ah—much true! But it do harm. Listen—I tell you how. Those men Hank Styles’ cowpunchers—but smugglers, too!”
“Thunderation!” gasped Tom, his expression indicating much surprise. “If I’d only known that——”
“Nearly all of us would make fewer mistakes,” interrupted Sergeant Erskine, in a kindly tone, “if we could only have information in advance instead of after something has happened. It is not always wise to speak our thoughts too plainly before strangers.”