Several times a day he heard him in conversation with the guard, and not infrequently Mercer went down to the Landing, twirling a little reed cane that he had not dared to use before.

He began to drop opinions and information to Kent in a superior sort of way.

On the fourth day word came that Doctor Cardigan would not return for another forty-eight hours, and with unblushing conceit Mercer intimated that when he did return he would find big changes.

Then it was that in the stupidity of his egotism he said: "Kedsty has taken a great fancy to me, Kent.

He's a square old top, when you take him right.