"Aye. We kept the secret to ourselves. It was cleverly worked, was it not?"
"And last night," continued John Vanbrugh, "he received you in his study?"
"Aye--and gave me liquor, and food, and money. Listen to it." He rattled the gold pieces in the palms of his hands. "Look you. I have answered questions enough. I answer no more for a while. It is my turn now."
"Proceed, Gautran," said Vanbrugh; "I may satisfy you or not, according to my whim."
"You'll satisfy me, or I'll know the reason why. There is no harm in what I am going to say. You are a stranger in these parts--there is no offence in that, is there?"
"None. Yes, I am a stranger in these parts. Heavens! what a flash! The storm is coming nearer."
"All the better. You will hardly believe that I have been bothering myself about the colour of your hair. I hate red-haired men. Yours, now. Is there any offence in asking the colour of it?"
"None. My hair is black."
Gautran's eyes glittered and a flash of lightning illuminated his face, and revealed to Vanbrugh the savage and ruthless look which shone there.
"And your height and build, about the same as mine," said Gautran. "Let us strike a bargain. I have gold--you have none. I have taken a fancy to your clothes; I will buy them of you. Two gold pieces in exchange for them, and mine thrown in."