"There's fifty more. Go to some hotel in San Jose, and let me know
where you are. You've got to live, and you don't want to work.
Well, you don't seem to be a fool; so I needn't tell you that if
you expect anything from me, you must leave this matter in my
hands. I have chosen to acknowledge you to-day of my own free
will: I can as easily denounce you as an impostor to-morrow, if I
choose. Have you told your story to any one in the valley?"

"No."

"See that you don't, then. Before you go, you must answer me a few
more questions."

He drew a chair to his table, and dipped a pen in the ink, as if to
take down the answers. The young man, finding the only chair thus
occupied, moved the Doctor's books aside, and sat down on the table
beside him.

The questions were repetitions of those already asked, but more in
detail, and thoroughly practical in their nature. The answers were
given straightforwardly and unconcernedly, as if the subject was
not worth the trouble of invention or evasion. It was difficult to
say whether questioner or answerer took least pleasure in the
interrogation, which might have referred to the concerns of a third
party. Both, however, spoke disrespectfully of their common
family, with almost an approach to sympathetic interest.

"You might as well be going now," said the Doctor, finally rising.
"You can stop at the fonda, about two miles further on, and get