"If he resembles his son, I am sure to do so," said Howard. "Indeed, in
any case I am pretty sure to do so. For how often have I read of his
wonderful charm of manner, his winning smile and brilliant
conversational powers? When do we get to this fairy palace?"
"I suppose if we get there before dinner, it will be time enough,"
replied Stafford. "By the way, I'd better ask how far it is. Don't
ring. I want to go up for some more cigars."
He went up to his room, and in getting them from his bag, saw the
little instrument case which he had thrown into his bag when he was
changing. Back came the vision of the strange girl with the beautiful
face.
He slipped the wallet in his pocket, and when he reached the hall he
turned to the open door of the little room which served as the
landlord's office, or bar-room.
The landlord was enjoying a cigar and a glass of whiskey and water, and
he opened the door still wider and gave a respectful smile of welcome.
"You have a very comfortable hotel here, Mr. Groves," said Stafford, by
way of opening the conversation. "We have had a capital dinner, and
have enjoyed it tremendously; was that '72 port you gave us?"
"Yes, sir," replied Mr. Groves, much gratified. For you go straight to
a landlord's heart when you guess a good vintage and appreciate it. "I
am glad you like it, sir; there's more of it at your service. Will you
take a seat, sir, and may I offer you a glass of whiskey? It is as good
as the port, if I may say so."
Stafford accepted, and presented his cigar case. He asked the distance
to the new house on the other side of the lake, and having been
informed, spoke of the fishing.
"You did very well to-day, sir." said Mr. Groves. "You were fishing in
the Heron water, I suppose?"
This was what Stafford wanted.
"Yes," he said. "I was poaching. I mistook it for the Lesset water. I
must go over and apologise to Mr. Heron. By the way, I was told I was
poaching by a young lady who rode down to the stream while I was
fishing. I had some little conversation with her, but I did not learn
her name. She was a young lady with dark hair, rode a big horse, and
had a couple of dogs with her--a collie and a fox-terrier." The
landlord had nodded assentingly at each item of the description.