Neither said anything, but as the keeper came up to ask for orders as
they finished lunch, he tactfully observed that there was a wonderful
fine view of Merefield.

"Yes," said Frank, "you could almost make out people with a telescope."

* * * * *

The two were walking together alone as they dropped down, an hour before
sunset, on to the upper end of Barham. They were both glowing with the
splendid air and exercise, and were just in that state of weariness that
is almost unmixed physical pleasure to an imaginative thinker who
contemplates a hot bath, a quantity of tea, and a long evening in a
deep chair. Frank still preserved his impassive kind of attitude towards
things in general, but Jack noticed with gentle delight that he seemed
more off his guard, and that he even walked with something more of an
alert swing than he had on that first evening when they trudged up the
drive together.

Their road led them past the gate of the old churchyard, and as they
approached it, dropping their feet faster and faster down the steep
slope, Jack noticed two figures sitting on the road-side, with their
feet in the ditch--a man and a girl. He was going past them, just
observing that the man had rather an unpleasant face, with a ragged
mustache, and that the girl was sunburned, fair-haired and rather
pretty, when he became aware that Frank had slipped behind him. The next
instant he saw that Frank was speaking to them, and his heart dropped to
zero.

"All right," he heard Frank say, "I was expecting you. This evening,
then.... I say, Jack!"

Jack turned.

"Jack, this is Major and Mrs. Trustcott, I told you of. This is my
friend, Mr.--er--Mr. Jack."

Jack bowed vaguely, overwhelmed with disgust.

"Very happy to make your acquaintance, sir," said the Major,
straightening himself in a military manner. "My good lady and I were
resting here. Very pleasant neighborhood."

"I'm glad you like it," said Jack.

"Then, this evening," said Frank again. "Can you wait an hour or two?"

"Certainly, my boy," said the Major. "Time's no consideration with us,
as you know."

(Jack perceived that this was being said at him, to show the familiarity
this man enjoyed with his friend.)

"Would nine o'clock be too late?"

"Nine o'clock it shall be," said the Major.

"And here?"

"Here."

"So long, then," said Frank. "Oh, by the way--" He moved a little closer
to this appalling pair, and Jack stood off,