“Perhaps it’s been in my head for some time—almost from the moment I first saw the man. He’s remarkably outside the ordinary, and I’m always genuinely interested in such.”
“Quite sure you’re not ‘genuinely interested’ in some one else, old chap?” said Coates, slily.
“I’m quite sure that I am—and that very much so,” came the perfectly unperturbed reply. “But to come back to Mervyn, you haven’t answered my question.”
“Well, how the blazes can I? I’ve never given it a thought I tell you.”
“Well, I have. Do you think for instance, he’ll ever come out here again?”
“Not if he’s wise,” came the decided answer.
“I should say he was that—from what I saw of him. Still I have an idea—and a strong one—that he will come out here again.”
“Did he talk about doing so, then?”
“Never. But, don’t be surprised if ever he does.”
“I’ll try not. But—look here, old Sherlock Holmes. What are you getting at? Eh?”