“Scared of you, I reckon,” was the brief reply. “There was plenty here a few minutes ago.”
“Scared of me, eh?” the other repeated, staring hard at Sir Timothy. “Did you 'ear that, guvnor?”
“I heard it,” Sir Timothy acquiesced.
Billy the Tanner began to cheer up. He walked all round this stranger.
“A toff! A big toff! I'll 'ave a drink with you, guvnor,” he declared, with a note of incipient truculence in his tone.
The barman had already reached up for two glasses but Sir Timothy shook his head.
“I think not,” he said.
There was a moment's silence. The barman made despairing signs at Sir Timothy. Billy the Tanner was moistening his lips with his tongue.
“Why not?” he demanded.
“Because I don't know you and I don't like you,” was the bland reply.