"This man must be deceiving me," I mused. "He has purposely led me on to my favourite topic, to show that even in that he is my superior!."
My reverie was broken by his next remark--
"Why do you think me a liar?"
I turned round confused, protesting that of course I did nothing of the kind.
"I often am guilty of what people call lying," he said, "but never intentionally of deceiving a guest. That is why I so seldom indulge in the pleasure of entertaining."
As he said this he rose, and we went together into his study.
"Come," he continued, "I have a surprise for you."
He went up to one of the book-cases, touched a concealed spring, and the whole oak framework moved slowly round on a pivot, forming a doorway through which we passed.
Having gone down a few steps into what I judged must be an underground passage, we once more ascended into a large room, lined on every side with crowded book-cases.
"You are surprised," he said, "to see so large a room in so small a house. We are now in part of what are usually supposed to be my farm-buildings. There are three rooms here which I use for different purposes. I will show you the other two later on."