e became as "cunning as a fox." People in Tinkletown
had come to recognize this as an unfailing symptom of shrewdness on his
part. He always wore his hat like that when he was deep in the process
of "ferreting something out."

"Have I the honour of addressing Mr. Anderson Crow?" inquired the lady.

"You have," said he succinctly.

"Field Marshal Crow?"

"Ma'am?"

"Or is it Town Marshal? I am quite ignorant about titles."

"That's the name I go by, ma'am."

"Your name is very familiar to me. Are you in any way related to the
great detective?"

This was unexpected tribute. The only thing he could think up to say
was, "I'm him," and then, apologetically: "--unless some one's been
usin' my name without authority."

"Are you actually the great Anderson Crow? Do you know, I have always
thought of you as a fictitious character--like _Sherlock Holmes_. Are
you really _real_? Do I look upon you in the flesh?"

Mr. Crow was momentarily overwhelmed.

"Oh, I--I guess I'm not much different from other men, ma'am. I'm not
half as important as folks make me out to be."

"How nice and modest you are! That is the true sign of greatness, Mr.
Crow. I might have known that you would be simple."

"Simple?" murmured Anderson, to whom the word had but one meaning. He
thought of Willie Jones, the village idiot.

"'Simplicity, thou art a jewel,'" observed the Veiled Lady. "Will you
pardon a somewhat leading question, Mr. Crow?"

"Lead on," said he, still a trifle uncertain of himself.

"Who is that man standing against the tree beside you? Is he a friend of
yours?"

"Who is--is my what?"

"Your companion. Now he has moved over behind the tree."

Anderson shot a startled look over his shoulder.

"There ain't any man behind the tree. I'm all alone."

"Are you trying to make sport of me, Mr. Crow?"

"I should say not. I been standin' here fer some time, an' I guess I'd
know if anybody was--"

"Do you think I am blind?" demanded the lady quite sharply.

"Not if you c'n see a man behind this tree," said he, with conviction.
"You got the best eyesight of anybody I ever come across--that's all I
got to say."

"I see him very distinctly."

Anderson obligingly circled the tree.

"Do you see him now?" he inquired in an amused tone.

"Certainly. He walked around the tree just ahead of you."

"What the--" began Anderson angrily, but checked the words in time. "You
are mistaken. There ain't no one here, 'cept me."

"I