"I don’t see why you should suppose this to be my original destination," returned Forrester. "Possibly the large size of this tree attracted my attention in passing." "Perhaps," she said, and both smiled as they recalled the last time that word was spoken. Then she added, "But you have not _passed_ yet. Your car is still some distance back on the road. Think of a better one." "Tell me," exclaimed Forrester, "do you live near here?" Her face hardened as she replied, "That is an unnecessary question at this time. I might even say that it savors of an evasion." "I beg your pardon," said Forrester, stiffly. Again the girl sat silently regarding him and Forrester met her eyes with a steady look. He surmised that she was appraising him and her next question confirmed his thought. "Are you a victim?" she inquired. "My dear young lady," returned Forrester, "about all we do is to ask each other questions. Sometimes _I_ don’t get an answer." "I accept the reproof and apologize," she said, and smiled. "I live just a little way up this road." "And I am—unfortunately—a victim," admitted Forrester. "Now we’re quits," laughed the girl. "Let’s begin again." "If this tree has a bad reputation," said Forrester, "I am curious to know why a girl, alone, takes a doubtful chance by talking to a strange man in its shadow." The girl partly withdrew her right hand from her coat pocket. "I’m not quite alone," she answered, and Forrester saw that she held a small automatic in her hand. "This has been covering you ever since I rode up." "Certainly I shall now feel it incumbent upon me to answer all questions," smiled Forrester. "All right," she retorted, quickly, "what is your name?" "Forrester." "_Robert_ Forrester?" "Yes, how did you guess?" A wicked little smile stole over the girl’s face. "You are the last person I should expect to see here," she declared. "Why?" queried Forrester. "I understood you were scared to death," she returned. "That damned reporter again!" burst out Forrester, clenching his hands. "Wait until I get within reach of him!" "My, how savage you are!" exclaimed the girl, with mock severity. But Forrester saw that her eyes twinkled. "You will pardon my strong language," he said, "but this is not the first time that article has made me look foolish." "Oh, then you’re not _really_ frightened?" she inquired, her eyes still flashing with humor. Forrester opened his mouth as if to speak, but words failed him, and the girl threw back her head and laughed. "Mr. Forrester," she said, at length, leaning down toward him, "you asked me a little while ago if we must remain strangers. I can now answer your question definitely. If you will come over to the house for a minute I will give you a letter of introduction, which I have, addressed to your mother. I had intended to deliver it in person, but after arriving here I found you were still in town."