Chapter X.
At the “Black Horse”
Halley knocked at the door of the Black Horse and Mrs. Southgate opened to him. He raised his hat politely, saying “Have you a room here I could have for a few days?”
She looked at him dubiously. “We don’t take in people as a rule, sir, you see it is hard to get things out here.”
Then seeing how tired he looked, she added, “I’ll go and ask my husband.”
“Thank you, I have walked from Portham Junction with this bag.”
He entered and sat down in the kitchen, and gazed round with interest at the old room.
From the inside quarters he heard the sound of a conversation, and presently the landlord emerged with a scowl on his face.
“I am sorry, sir,” he began, and stopped dead. His jaw dropped, and he looked in amazement at Halley. “I beg your pardon, my … Oh Lord! Who are you?”
“My name is Halley, and I asked your good wife if you could put me up for a few days, I shall be very little trouble.”
The landlord stood with a puzzled look on his face.