et some information."

"You came to get information, did you? Of course you did. Spies
generally do."

"I came to see you."

"To see _me_, hey? Then why didn't you come like a man? What's the
meaning of this disguise?"

"Because you refused information once, and I thought that if I came
in another character, with a different story, I might have a better
chance."

"Pooh! don't I see that you're lying? Why didn't you come up through
the avenue like a man, instead of sneaking along the paths? Answer me
that."

"I wasn't sneaking. I was merely taking a little stroll in your
beautiful grounds."

"Wasn't sneaking?" repeated Obed; "then I'd like very much to know
what sneaking is, for my own private information. If any man ever
looked like a sneak, you did when I first caught your eye."

"I wasn't sneaking," reiterated Gualtier; "I was simply strolling
about. I found a gate at the lower end of the park, and walked up
quietly. I was anxious to see you."

"Anxious to see me?" said Obed, with a peculiar intonation.

"Yes."

"Why, then, did you look scared out of your life when you did see me?
Answer me that."

"My answer is," said Gualtier, with an effort at calmness, "that I
neither looked scared nor felt scared. I dare say I may have put
myself on my guard, when you rushed at me."

"I didn't rush at you."

"It seemed to me so, and I fell back a step, and prepared for the
shock."

"Fell back a step!" sneered Obed; "you looked around to see if you
had any ghost of a chance to run for it, and saw you had none. That's
about it."

"You are very much mistaken," said Gualtier.

"Young man," replied Obed, severely, "I'm never mistaken. So dry up."

"Well, since I've found you," said Gualtier, "will you allow me to
ask you a question?"

"What's that?--you found _me_? Why, you villain! I found _you_. You
are a cool case, too. Answer _you_ a question? Not a bit of it. But
I'll tell you what I will do. I intend to teach you a lesson that you
won't forget."

"Beware," said Gualtier, understanding the other's threat--"beware
how you offer violence to me."

"Oh, don't trouble yourself at all. I intend to beware. My first idea
was to kick you all the way out; but you're such a poor, pale,
pitiful concern that I'll be satisfied with only one parting kick. So
off with you!"

At this Obed released his grasp, and keeping Gualtier before him he
forced him along the avenue toward the gate.

"You needn't look round,