quibbling.

"I regret that that is impossible. I go on alone," he said decisively.

"_Ach, so_," said the other sadly. "That is too bad----" His words
trailed off into a melancholy silence and he resumed his occupation of
looking out of the window. The incident in so far as Renwick was
concerned, was concluded.

At least he thought that. At Ujvidek, when Renwick, bag in hand, got
down upon the station platform, the stranger stood beside him, fingering
his cotton umbrella foolishly and looking this way and that. But when
the Englishman after an inquiry of a loiterer, started in search of a
garage, he found his fellow traveler at his heels, and the frown which
Renwick threw over his shoulder failed utterly to deter him from his
purpose--which clearly seemed to be that of continuing his journey in
the Englishman's company.

When Renwick reached the garage and talked with the proprietor, a
Hungarian whose German was almost negligible, the man of the cotton
umbrella abandoned the doorway which he had been darkening with his
shadow, and shuffled forward awkwardly.

"If you will permit me," he said solemnly. "I speak the Hungarian quite
well. I should be glad to interpret your wishes."

The man's impertinence was really admirable. Renwick's desire to get
forward on his long journey made him impatient of obstacles. He
shrugged.

"Very well, then. Tell him I must have a machine and chauffeur to take
me to Sarajevo by way of Brod. I will pay him handsomely and in advance.
I must travel today and all night. I must reach Sarajevo in the
morning."

"_Ach, so_," said the stranger, and Renwick listened to the conversation
that ensued, endeavoring by the light of his small knowledge of the
language to make out what was said. But he was lost in the maze of
consonants.

In a moment the interpreter turned with a smile.

"It is good. There is a machine. This man will drive himself. The price
is two hundred _kroner_ and the petrol."

"Thank you. That is very good. I must leave within half an hour."

Renwick produced money, the sight of which brought about an amazing
activity on the part of the garage man. Renwick strolled to and fro
outside, alternately smoking and watching the preparations for
departure, while the melancholy giant stood leaning upon his umbrella in
the doorway. What was he waiting for? Renwick thought that he had made
his intentions sufficiently explicit. At last, his impatience getting
the better of him,