eople are grateful because of what you have
done. I hardly feel justified in benefiting by--shall I call it your
hospitality?--but I really wanted to see you again."

"Yes, it is a beautiful neighbourhood," said Olive; "and I hope you will
enjoy your stay here."

"Thank you, I am sure I shall," replied Sprague. He had got through the
painful part of his conversation--clumsily, it is true; but still it was
over, and now he felt a real pleasure in thinking that for the next few
days he would be living in close proximity to the woman whom he had once
asked to be his wife.

"What do you think of Signor Ricordo?" he went on. "Striking-looking
fellow, isn't he?"

"Yes," replied Olive.

"Do you know I've played golf with him twice, and I can't make him out.
Perhaps it is because of his Eastern mode of speech, but he always makes
me think of mysteries. When I saw him first he made me think of
vampires, and although that feeling has gone, I am not sure that I like
him."

"I should think he is a very remarkable man," said Olive evasively.

"He is mysterious, at all events," said Sprague. "How beautiful the park
looks in the moonlight!"

He stopped as he spoke, and looked across the park towards the moorlands
that were dimly visible in the light of the moon. As they stopped, Mr.
Castlemaine and Signor Ricordo came up.

"I am enjoying your wonderful scenery, Mr. Castlemaine," said Sprague.

"Yes, it is very fine. You can almost see the golf links from here."

"Ah, don't talk of them," said Sprague, with a laugh. "I thought I could
play a decent game, but Signor Ricordo has beaten me so badly to-day
that I feel humiliated. I thought I should find him an easy opponent,
too. He told me he was only a beginner."

"You may have better luck next time," said Mr. Castlemaine.

"If Signor Ricordo thinks I am worthy to be his opponent for another
game," responded Sprague.

"Oh yes," replied Ricordo, "our play is not played out yet. We will play
it to the bitter end."

He laughed quietly as he spoke, but Olive thought she detected something
sinister in it.

"I hope there will be nothing bitter in it," said Sprague. "For my own
part I think golf is the most friendly and sociable game in the world."

"Ah, but as I told you, I am an Eastern," said Ricordo; "and to us all
games are serious. But we will play it, signore, we will play the game
out."

"That's right," said Mr. Castlemaine; "meanwhile, here we are at the
house.