“I do not believe ye. Don’t be forgettin’ I’ve seen your hands!”

“Hands, sir?” in innocent bewilderment.

“Sure, ye don’t think I’d be believing ye an ordinary rogue, with hands like that?”

“I don’t rightly understand ye, sir?”

“Bejabers then, ye’ll be understanding me tomorrow!”

“Tomorrow, sir?”

“Certainly. Ye may as well tell me now as then. I’m not such a daft fool as I look, and I know a gentleman when I see one, even an he does growl at me as you do!” he chuckled. “And I’d an odd feeling I knew ye when ye spoke to the mare. I’d be loth to send a friend to the gallows.”

How well Jack knew that soft, persuasive voice. His hands clenched as he forced himself to answer: