"
"I noticed you turn pale when we first sighted the lights,
Ballard."
"Did you?"
"I did."
Ballard stepped close to Sol Burton, and demanded in a
determined tone
"What are you getting at? I don't like this cross-questioning."
"That's my idea, Ballard. I don't think you like this
cross-questioning, and I think further there is a good reason
for you not liking it."
"If you've anything to say to me, spit it."
"When did you first show up on the coast?"
"Who are you? What's your name?" retorted Ballard.
"My name is Sol Burton,"
"Ah, you are Burton; yes, I've heard about you!"
The detective used the words, "I've heard about you," in a
very meaning tone.
"You've heard about me?"
"Yes, I've heard about you," came the response.
"What have you heard about me?"
"Oh, that's all right; your name is Sol Burton. Yes, yes,
I've heard about you."
The declaration was reiterated in a tone of more aggravating
significance.
"See here, Ballard, I want you to tell me what you mean."
"I've heard about you."
"What have you heard about me?"
"It's all right; I tell you I've heard about you. Yes, yes,
your name is Burton; that's the man; I've heard about you."
Our readers can readily understand that the constant
repetition of the declaration in a meaning tone was, under the
circumstances, very aggravating, and Sol Burton lost his
temper, his eyes flashed with anger, and his face became
white, as he said:
"If you do not tell me what you mean, I'll knock you down!"
"I reckon you won't knock me down!"
"Will you tell me what you mean?"
"I'll tell you I've heard about you, and so I have; that is
enough.
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