"Your suspicions are utterly unwarranted," retorted Ransom, choking
slightly.

"It's a lot of comfort to hear you say so," Tom rejoined, as smilingly
as ever.

"You're on the wrong track this time, anyway," Ransom asserted boldly.
"Still, I don't suppose you want me out here."

"On the contrary, I greatly enjoy seeing you here," Tom declared. "I'm
very grateful for the praise you offered me a moment ago."

"You're welcome," returned the Colthwaite agent, trying hard to smile.
"However, I won't take up your time. Good afternoon."

"Good afternoon, then," nodded Tom. "Drop in again, won't you? Any
time within working hours."

"Confound that fellow Reade!" muttered Ransom angrily as he rode back to
Paloma. "He knows altogether too much--or suspects it. I shall have to
call Jim Duff's attention to him!"

"Why did you string the fellow so?" asked Harry when the chums were
alone once more.

"I didn't," Reade retorted. "I came very close to giving him straight
information."

"Now he'll be more on his guard."