“Thank you,” replied Leonard; “but I guess my nerves are all right. Besides, the other bottle is not empty yet.”
“Oh, isn’t it? This is a better article, though. Just try it. I’ll take the other bottle away.”
There was something peculiar in Snags’ manner. He seemed awkward and ill at ease.He alternately regarded Leonard intently and dropped his eyes to the ground.
“What’s up?” thought Leonard. “This man is playing some game, and he’s not very good at it, either. However, I must not betray any suspicion. But it is plain that he has some object here other than bringing the wine.”
He took a swallow from the bottle Snags had brought.
“Excellent!” he exclaimed. “It is better than the other.”
A look of satisfaction instantly overspread the face of Snags. He picked up the first bottle he had left, now half-emptied, and started for the door.
“Take a good drink,” he exclaimed, “it will do you good. Good-night!”
And he left precipitately, without giving Leonard a chance to speak another word.
The latter stared at the closed door, and stood for a moment in meditation.