"What is one man's meat is another man's poison--a proverb that may be reversed." His small eyes glittered, and his thin pointed features seemed all to converge to one point. ("Fox, decidedly," thought Basil.) The stranger continued. "His health, is it good?"
In the light of Anthony Bidaud's revelation on the previous evening this was a startling question, and Basil answered:
"It is an inquiry you had best make of himself if you are likely to see him."
"It is more than likely that I shall see him," said the stranger, "and he will tell me. He has but one child."
"You are well informed. He has but one."
"Whose name is Annette."
"Whose name," said Basil, wondering from what source the stranger had obtained his information, "is Annette."
"Charming, charming, charming," said the stranger. "Everything is charming, except"--with a loathing gesture at the alligator, which lay still as a log, waiting for prey--"that monster; except also that I am dead with fatigue. I came here for a bath to refresh myself after much travelling. Is there any part of this treacherous river in which a man may bathe in safety?"
"I will show you a place."
"No tricks, young sir, said the stranger, suspicion in his voice.