He raised his voice to an unnatural pitch, and said boisterously: "Yes, my friend, it is true I have the eye for colour, even as you say. I see colour like no one else has ever seen it."
Two people had come into the taproom together, and both looked round. They were Wilkes and Michael Strange. Strange, after one glance, turned away, but Wilkes kept his eyes on the pair in the corner for a moment or two, and made an involuntary grimace of annoyance.
Again the artist's fingers closed on Charles' knee. "Be careful!" he said, so softly that Charles only just caught the words. "Look who has entered! For the love of God, m'sieur, guard your tongue! If that one knew that I had spoken with you of- of the things we both know of… !" He broke off, passing his tongue between his lips.
Michael Strange, a tankard in his hand, was making his way towardss a seat by the window. He bestowed a curt nod on Charles, and sitting down began to scan the columns of a newspaper. The length of room separated him from the corner table, and Charles said: "I've no wish to upset you, but do you understand that I cannot permit you to haunt my grounds?"
The artist got up. "I go. I speak with you another time. Here, it is not safe. I come up to speak with you to-night perhaps, when no one can see." Once more he raised his voice, in unconvincing joviality: "Ah, you are too good, m'sieur! But it is true: I have revolutionised the art of painting."
The landlord came up to them. "Morning, sir. "Morning, moossoo. Got everything you want, sir? What, you off, moossoo? Well, this is a short visit you've paid the Bell to-day, and no mistake."
The artist clapped him on the shoulder. "My friend, this gentleman has bought from me a picture! He is not an artist, no, but he is a connoisseur!"
"That's very nice, sir, I'm sure," Wilkes said, and passed on.
Duval picked up his hat, and without another word to Charles went out of the bar. After a few moments Charles followed him, and went rather thoughtfully home.
So far Inspector Tomlinson had been as good as his word: they were not worried by any apparent supervision. As far as Charles could make out no one had come over to Framley either to watch or to make inquiries, and his suspicions that the inspector had not taken the matter very seriously began to grow stronger.