"Come dis way, Major," said the landlord obsequiously. He seemed to know the traveler extremely well, and from his concluding remark Gerald was positive that he did. "Dere's a lil' glass of your own pertic'ler brandy, Major. Dis way, sah. Glad to see you, Major."
"Major!" From the title, and the tone of the arrival's voice, Haskins had an idea that he also knew the owner of the motor car. When the goggles were shoved up over the cap, and the high collar of the coat was loosened, suspicion became certainty. "Major Rebb," said Haskins, advancing a step. "I guessed it was you."
"Oh--Haskins," drawled the newcomer, and Gerald could have sworn that not only did he start, but that he darted an inquiring look at the negro landlord. It was Geary who replied:
"Dis jemplem and his friend, dey stop wid me for one, two week, Major."
The Major recovered himself. "Yes, of course; what am I thinking about, Haskins? Mrs. Crosbie told me that you and Macandrew were on a walking tour in Devonshire. Why are you stationary here of all places?"
"Why not here, as well as anywhere else?" replied Gerald carelessly, "we struck this inn--Tod and I, that is--and intended only to stop a night or so, but the food is so good, and the fishing so capital, and the expenses so small, that we decided to remain. We're off in a couple of days. Tod goes back to London, and I make for St. Ives to write a new book. But you, Major? What are you doing in this galley?"
"I have come down to see a relative at Leegarth--an elderly aunt!" Tod sniggered at the window. From what he knew of Major Rebb--and he knew a great deal from club gossip--that retired officer was not the man to waste his time in looking after elderly relatives, unless,----
"How much money has she got?" asked Tod impudently.
Rebb laughed, for Tod was a licensed jester, and said things without reproof for which other men would have been kicked. "Enough to make it worth my while to come down here," said Rebb coolly, "but I won't give the business into your hands, Tod, so there will be no pickings."
"I'm jolly well sure of that, when you're about," retorted Macandrew, in a soft voice.