"I desire to use this room, gents," he announced quietly. "You 'll
find plenty of vacant space outside."
Whether the lounging trio knew the speaker of old, or were sufficiently
satisfied from his stern face of the probable results should they long
hesitate to comply, the three pairs of feet came down together, their
owners passing out in single file. Farnham waved his hand politely
toward the vacated interior, a slight measure of deference apparent in
his modulated voice.
"Help yourself to a chair, Mr. Winston, and permit me to offer you a
fresh cigar; a fairly good one I imagine, as I chance to be somewhat
particular regarding the weed."
A moment they sat thus furtively studying each other's face across the
table through the increasing clouds of blue smoke, the younger man
puzzled and filled with vague suspicion, the elder still rather
uncertain of his present ground, as well as of the exact sort of
character opposing him. He was somewhat expert in judging human
nature; and the full, square chin, the frank, open look in those steady
gray eyes across the table left him doubtful of the final outcome.
"No doubt, my addressing you by name was something of a surprise," he
began, leaning slightly forward, his cigar between his fingers; "but as
it chanced, you were pointed out to me on the street a few hours since.
May I inquire in this connection if, by any freak of fortune, you can
be Ned Winston, of Denver?"
"I am."
Farnham permitted his lips to smile genially, although his eyes
remained utterly devoid of humor. He was skating upon rather thin ice
now, realizing it to be far safer to make the venture in all boldness.
What he might need to say later would altogether depend upon how much
this man really knew.
"I was not previously assured of that fact," he explained, pleasantly.
"It was my pleasure at one time to be quite intimately associated with
an old friend of yours, a college chum, I believe--Robert Craig, of
Chicago."
The swift light of pleasant remembrance glowed instantly within the
other's watchful eyes. For the moment he dropped his guard in the
surprise of this avowal.
"Bob Craig! Indeed; why, I do not recall his ever having mentioned
your name to me."
Farnham's suspended breath burst through his compressed lips in sudden
relief.
"Very probably not," he admitted, quietly, yet having the grace to
lower his eyes slightly. "My own intimacy with Craig occurred since
his college days. However, he has spoken to me regarding you quite
frequently, and I naturally esteem it a pleasure to meet with you
personally."
Winston did not immediately reply, puzzling his confused mind in a
wholly useless attempt at recalling his ever having heard this man's
name before. But Farnham, placed completely at his ease regarding
possible recognition, proceeded coolly.