Travel on these roads is slim.' "'I should think likely,' I returned, remembering the half dozen or so hills up which I had clambered since I took to my horse.

'How far are we from Pentonville ?' "'O, two or three miles,' he replied, but in a hurried kind of a way.
'Not far in the daytime but a regular journey in a night like this ?' "'Yes,' said I, as the house shook under a fresh gust; 'it is fortunate I have a place in which to put up.' "He glanced down at my baggage which consisted of a small hand bag, an over-coat and a fishing pole, with something like a gleam of disappointment.
"'Going fishing ?' he asked.
"'Yes,' I returned.
"'Good trout up those streams and plenty of them,' he went on.

'Going alone ?' "I did not half like his importunity, but considering I had nothing better to do, replied as affably as possible.

'No, I expect to meet a friend in Pentonville who will accompany me." "His hand went to his beard in a thoughtful attitude and he cast me what, with my increased experience of the world, I should now consider a sinister glance.

'Then you are expected ?' said he.
"Not considering this worth reply, I stretched out my feet to the blaze and began to warm them, for I felt chilled through.
"'Been on the road long ?' he now asked, glancing at the blue flannel suit I wore.
"'All summer,' I returned, "I again thought he looked disappointed.
"'From Troy or New York ?' he went on with a vague endeavor to appear good naturally off hand.
"'New York.' "'A big place that,' he continued.