Scotty thrust his hands into his pockets.
"No, I guess not. I came over to see about selling him my place. We're going to leave in a few days."
Ben Blair made no comment, and for a moment they walked on in silence; then an idea suddenly occurred to the Englishman.
"Come to think of it," he said, "there is something you can do for me. Bill and I have got to drive all the stock over to the station. I'd be a thousand times obliged if you would help us."
For a half-dozen steps Blair did not answer; then he turned fairly to his companion.
"You won't be offended if I refuse?" he asked.
"No, certainly not."
"Well, then, I don't want to help you myself, but I'll get Grannis to go with you. He'll be just as useful."
Ordinarily, despite his assertion to the contrary, Scotty would have been offended; but he knew this long youth quite too well to misunderstand.
"Would you mind telling me why you refuse?" he said at last.