A minute later Dr. Curtis and Hank Judge, the machine man, dropped unostentatiously into chairs. They likewise muttered “Evening,” and made observation from under their hat-brims. Others followed rapidly, until the room was full and dark figures waited outside. At last Curtis spoke. 227
“Your boarder, Asa Arnold, where is he, Hans?”
The unsuspecting German blew a cloud of smoke.
“He a while ago went out.” Then, as an afterthought: “He will return soon.”
Silence once more for a time, and a steadily thickening haze of smoke in the room.
“Did he have supper, Hans?” queried Bud Evans, impatiently.
Again the German’s face expressed surprise.
“No, it is waiting for him. He went to shoot a rabbit he saw.”
The men were on their feet.
“He took a gun, Hans?”