"Dis way, sah," cried Geary, like a parrot, "dis way, Major."
"You know Adonis then?" said Rebb, entering the inn followed by Haskins; "he's a decent sort, isn't he? I have put up here sometimes for a night. Where's the brandy, Adonis? Hurry up; and give my man a glass of beer."
Gerald had unconsciously led the way to the sitting-room occupied by himself and Tod. Here Rebb sat down, drawing off his gloves, while the brandy was brought. He was a tall, thin, upright man, eminently well-bred and somewhat stiff. His closely clipped hair and well-trimmed moustache were so dark, and his complexion was of such a deep olive color, that people declared that he had in him a touch of the tar-brush. And the scandal was emphasized by the significant fact that Major Rebb had commanded a West Indian regiment in Jamaica before retiring from the army. But whether tainted by the African or not, he certainly was a handsome man, and wonderfully well-preserved for his fifty years. Mrs. Crosbie, to whom Rebb had alluded when first addressing Haskins, was a wealthy widow who greatly admired the fascinating Major. Report hinted at a match between them, and report said that Mrs. Crosbie might do worse, for Rebb was well-off and much respected by the outside world. Those--of whom Tod was one--who knew more than the Major approved of declared that Rebb's character was not without blemish, and that he gambled both on the turf and on the green table. But no one could positively say that the man was a rascal. He had the vices of his generation. That was all.
While Rebb drank his brandy he told Haskins and Macandrew the latest club gossip, and stated--not without a roguish glance at Tod--that Mrs. Pelham Odin wanted Charity to marry a titled fool, who had lately come into much money. Tod was very indignant at this, and said many things which Rebb had heard before, since the little man's infatuation was an open secret. In the middle of his eloquence the Major went off to wash his hands and face, and Haskins dragged his friend out to see the start of the car. In five minutes Rebb was in his place and his chauffeur swung up alongside.
"Good-night, you fellows," cried the Major amiably. "I'll see you in London. Night, Adonis," and then the car spun round the curve to mount the hill on its way to Leegarth, wherever that might be. Tod yawned and sauntered back into the inn, hinting that he would go to bed soon.
"Funny thing that we should meet Rebb, here," said Gerald.
Tod raised his thick red eyebrows. "Upon my soul I don't see it," he remarked, "you don't want the whole country to yourself."
"He seemed to be startled when he saw me, and he knows Geary well."
"He admitted that he knew Geary, and as to being startled, he well might be, dropping across a pal in these wilds."
"I am not a pal of Rebb's," said Gerald stiffly. "I don't like him, and I'm very sorry that such a jolly little woman as Mrs. Crosbie should think of marrying him. There's something queer about him."