That is, partly, why I'm here." The mournful one nodded.

"Good a reason as any," he assented sadly.
"By the way--er--there used to be a Dr.Coombe here, didn't there?
Didn't he live somewhere hereabouts ?" The sad one turned his meditative eyes from their focus upon the horse's back and rested them upon the open and guileleas face by his side.

Then from deep down in his brawny throat came a sudden sound.

It was unmistakably a chuckle.

Without the slightest trace of an accompanying smile, the sound was startling.
"What's the matter ?" asked the doctor irritably.
"Nothing.