"Hard to say," returned Pike. "I have knocked about in many parts in my time."
"Are you from this neighbourhood?"
"Never was in these parts at all till a year or so ago. It's not two years yet."
"What are you doing here?"
"What I can. A bit of work when I can get it given to me. I went tramping the country after I left the regiment—"
"Then you have been a soldier?" interrupted Mr. Elster.
"Yes, sir. In tramping the country I came upon this place: I crept into a shed, and was there for some days; rheumatism took hold of me, and I couldn't move. It was something to find I had a roof of any sort over my head, and was let lie in it unmolested: and when I got better I stayed on."
"And have adopted it as your own, putting a window and a chimney into it! But do you know that Lord Hartledon may not choose to retain you as a tenant?"
"If Lord Hartledon should think of ousting me, I would ask Mr. Elster to intercede, in requital for the good turn I've done him this day," was the bold answer.
Mr. Elster laughed. "What is your name?"