Joyce judged that the rough tones of the answer came from a workingman. "That's right. To-night, Bell said. He was to bring his wagon round to Kilmeny's at eleven and they were going to haul the ore to Utah Junction."
A third speaker, evidently Bleyer, the superintendent, cut in quietly. "Bell said it was to be a big shipment, didn't he?"
"Yep. Worth sixty or seventy thousand, he figured."
"Was Bell drunk?"
"I wouldn't say drunk. He had been drinking a good deal. Talkative like. He let it out as a secret, y'understand."
"Anyone there beside you?"
"A miner by the name of Peale."
"Know the man?"
It was Verinder that asked the question and Bleyer that answered.
"Yes. A bad lot. One of those that insulted the young ladies."