“That depends on where you are going to,” answered Halley with a frigid smile.
“I was just going to the Club to see whether I could get a room for a day or two; it will be more comfortable than the Black Horse.”
“Oh you’ve been staying there, have you? How did you like our friend Southgate?” There was a shade of raillery in the tone which annoyed Fletcher, and he replied with more heat than he intended. “Is he a friend of yours? In my opinion he is a confounded ruffian.”
“Quite possibly,” said Halley unruffled. “I expect if he had lived some time ago he would have been a smuggler or a pirate.”
“And now he’s very likely a thief,” said Fletcher unguardedly.
“How jolly! Like the Pirates of Penzance, you remember.… ‘Let’s vary Piracy with a little Burglary’.”
Fletcher saw he must keep his temper, and said stiffly:
“I am afraid I have never seen that play. Well, I must get along, Miss Sefton,” and took his departure.
“You don’t seem to like Mr. Fletcher?” said Ena when he had gone.
“I neither like or dislike him,” replied Halley. “He strikes me as an inquisitive busybody, that’s all.”