The two occupants of the compartment rose at the same moment, leaped into the courtyard, and confronted Ezekiel.
Surrounded by the three menacing figures he did not quail, but remained intently gazing upon the newcomer.

Then his mouth opened, and he drawled lazily: "Wa'al, ef it ain't Squire Blandford, of North Liberty, Connecticut, I'm a treed coon.

Squire Blandford, how DO you do ?" The stranger drew back in undisguised amazement; the two men glanced hurriedly at each other; Ezekiel alone remained cool, smiling, imperturbable, and triumphant.
"Who are YOU, sir?
I do not know you," demanded the newcomer, roughly.
"Like ez not," said Corwin dryly, "it's a matter o' four year sense I lived in your house.

Even Dick Demorest--you knew Dick ?--didn't know me; but I reckon that Mrs.Blandford as used to be--" "That's enough," said Blandford--for it was he--suddenly mastering both himself and Corwin by a supreme emphasis of will and gesture.

"Wait!" Then turning to the two others who were discreetly regarding the blank adobe wall before them, he said: "Excuse me for a few minutes, gentlemen.