"
"Oh!"
"He said, 'You made a great mistake in changing your venue to that room,
a great mistake.' Then I explained how we moved back to the tentroom in
the middle of the sitting, and all about Rip."
"Did he make any remark?"
"One that struck me as very quaint, 'You are _en route_.'"
"Enigmatic again. He was playing the wizard."
"He spoke very gravely."
"Of course. Great gravity is part of the business."
"Afterwards he said, 'Turn that dog out next time.'"
"And that was all?"
"I think so."
Valentine sat musing. Presently he said:
"I should rather like to meet this Marr."
"Oh, I don't think--I fancy--"
"Well?"
"I'd as soon you didn't."
"Why?"
"I don't think you'd get on. You wouldn't like him."
"For what reason?"
"I don't know. I've a notion he's something exceptional in the way of a
blackguard. Perhaps I am wrong. I haven't an idea what sort of a
reputation he has. But he is black, Valentine, not at all your colour.
Oh! and, by the way, he doesn't want to meet you."
"How charming of him!"
"I had half suggested it, I don't know why, and he said, 'Thanks! Thanks!
Chance will bring us together later on if we ought to meet.' And now I
am glad he wasn't keen. Shall we begin? Put Rip into your bedroom, as he
advised.
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