Rundermere rode on in savage silence, which remained unbroken until they reached the outskirts of the village. Then he turned once more to his companion.
“Look here, Mannister,” he said, “why can’t you go your way and let me go mine. I don’t wish to interfere with you, and I can’t see that I’m doing you any harm.”
Mannister laughed enigmatically as he turned away into the covered yard of his inn.
“I make no bargains with you, Rundermere,” he said. “I act as it pleases me.”
On his table Mannister found a note from the Hall, asking him to dine that night. He stood for several minutes holding it in his hand, apparently undecided. Then, with a little shrug of the shoulders, he dashed off a hasty affirmative. This was the fourth invitation he had received, only one of which he had accepted.
