"Yes.... You are Johnson Gray?"
"Yes, I am," he answered, checking his exasperation and forcing a smile. "It's rather odd, isn't it—rather unfortunate, I'm afraid."[167]
"It is unfortunate for you, Mr. Gray," she returned firmly. "I'm sorry—really sorry that this long journey is in vain."
"So am I," he said, with lips compressed.
For a few moments they sat very still, not looking at each other.
Presently he said: "It was a fool of a will. He was a most disagreeable old man."
"I never saw him."
"Nor I. They say he was a terror. But he had a sense of humour—a grim and acrid one—the cynic's idea of wit. No doubt he enjoyed it. No doubt he is enjoying this very scene between you and me—if he's anywhere within sight or hearing——"
"Don't say that!" she exclaimed, almost violently. "It is horrible enough on this island without hinting of ghosts."
"Ghosts? Of course there are ghosts. But I'd rather have my bungalow full of 'em than full of scorpions."