Anderson pondered a few seconds, squinting at the tree-tops. The two strangers waited his reply with evident concern. "Sometimes I am, an' sometimes I ain't," said he at last, very seriously. He even went so far as to shake his head slowly, as if to emphasize the fact that he had made a life-long study of the subject and had not been able to arrive at a definite conclusion. "Good!" exclaimed Mr. Bonaparte. "That proves, Mr. Crow, that you are a man of very great discernment, very great discernment indeed." Mr. Crow brightened perceptibly. "I have to know a little of everything in my line of work, Mr. Lincoln." Mr. Bonaparte made no attempt to correct him. As a matter of fact, for a moment or two he was in some doubt himself; it was only after indulging in a hasty bit of mental jugglery that he decided his friend couldn't possibly have introduced him as Bonaparte Abraham Lincoln, or Abraham Bonaparte Lincoln. He wished, however, that he had paid a little closer attention when Mr. George Washington Bacon arranged his names for him. "We should like to have a few minutes' private conversation with you, Mr. Marshal," said Bacon, lowering his voice. "Fire away, gents." "I--ahem!--I said private, Mr. Crow." "Well, if it's anything you don't want the birds to hear, I guess we'd better go up to the house. If you don't mind that woodpecker up yander an' them two sparrers out there in the road, I guess this is about as private a place as you'll find in Tinkletown." "Haven't you--an office, Mr. Crow?" demanded Mr. Bacon. "Yes, but it ain't private. Whenever I've got anything private to 'tend to--er even _think_ about--I allus go out in the middle of the street. Shoot ahead; nobody'll hear you." "It will take some little time," explained Mr. Bonaparte, anxiously. "Have you had your dinner?" Anderson looked at him keenly. "What's that got to do with it?" "Mr. Bonaparte means supper," explained Mr. Bacon. "He is a bit excited, Mr. Crow." "He _must_ be," agreed Anderson, glancing at his watch. "Half-past six. Go ahead. We won't be interrupted now till it's time to go to bed." The two strangers in Tinkletown drew still closer--so close, indeed, that the town marshal, having had his pocket picked once or twice at the County Fair, fell back a little from the fence. "You must be careful to show no sign of surprise, Mr. Crow," said Bacon. "What I am about to say to you may startle you, but you--" Anderson reassured him with a gesture. "Perceed," he said.