The proposal struck Nicholas favorably and he agreed to accompany his new acquaintance the next morning to look at it.
The house was one of fair appearance, with a tolerably good location. The chamber referred to by Denton (this was the stranger's name) was superior to the room in the hotel, while the terms were more reasonable.
"What do you say, Oliver?" asked Mr. Bundy. "Shall we remove here?"
"Just as you like, sir. It seems a very pleasant room."
The landlady was seen, and the arrangement was made for an immediate removal. She was a woman of middle age, bland in her manners, but there was something shifty and evasive in her eyes not calculated to inspireconfidence. Neither Nicholas nor Oliver thought much of this at the time, though it occurred to them afterward.
"You'll find her a good landlady," said Denton, who seemed pleased at the success of the negotiations. "I have been here over a year, and I have never had anything to complain of. The table is excellent."
"I am not likely to find fault with it," said Nicholas. "I've roughed it a good deal in my time, and I aint much used to luxury. If I get a comfortable bed, and good plain victuals, it's enough for me."
"So you've been a rolling stone, Mr. Bundy," said the stranger enquiringly.
"Yes, I have wandered about the world more or less."
"They say 'a rolling stone gathers no moss,'" continued Mr. Denton. "I hope you have gathered enough to retire upon."