I mean--yes, a little." He didn't want to talk because he had read that confidence men always engaged their victims in conversation before selling them counterfeit money or leading them to gamble away their savings.

Tom's eyes darted anxiously about in search of Steve and he wondered how soon the smooth-voiced stranger would call him by name or ask after the folks in Tannersville.

He hadn't long to wait! "It's a great game," pursued the other.

Then, after a short pause: "Say, I've met you before, haven't I?
Your face looks familiar." "No," answered Tom shortly, digging his feet convulsively against the bulging sides of the bags on the floor.
"My mistake, then.

I thought perhaps you were from Tannersville, Pennsylvania." Tom almost jumped, although he had been expecting some such remark.