"Nearly a fortnight now. I've seen you a good many times, but you never knew me!"
"I wish I could say that I don't know you now. And what devil's business are you up to here?"
"Amusing myself, as usual. Studying men and manners. Your friends here are very entertaining, the woman particularly so."
"George Merton of Brankforth Manor, near Exeter, County Devon, at your service."
He threw himself down on the sands with another merry laugh.
"It's extraordinary, isn't it? our meeting like this. I've often laughed over it. And so your name's Murkard? Silas too, if I'm not mistaken. What a rum beggar you are, to be sure. Do you still take life as seriously as you used to in the old days?"
"You're evidently as cold-blooded a devil as when I last found you out."
"Found me out? My dear fellow, aren't you rather confusing things? Wasn't it the other way round? But seriously, Bur----"
"What did I say? Oh, I forgot; pray forgive me. It shan't occur again. Seriously, Murkard, I want you to believe that I have never ceased to regret that terrible business. You must remember you put me in such a position that, though it cut me to the heart to do it, I had no option but to expose you."
"If you had told all you knew you might have saved me. As it was, I had to take the course I did. I could not help myself."
"'Pon my honour, I knew nothing more. The stones were lost. I happened to stumble quite by accident on the baggage and found them there. The baggage was yours--what could I do?"
"Very well. I have at least paid the penalty; we need not discuss the subject further. But one thing must be settled now and forever. What are you going to do?"
"When? Now, do you mean? Well, I think I shall stay here for a month or so longer; and then--well, then I don't quite know what I shall do."
"You will leave here at once--in an hour's time."
"My dear fellow, impossible. Not to be thought of, I assure you."
"Either you or I must go. We cannot both remain."
"Still taking life seriously, I see. Well, I fear in that case it will have to be you. I'm sorry, but it can't be helped. I have reasons for staying on. A holiday will do you no harm."
"Supposing I tell Ellison all I know of you."
"He _might_ believe you, but I should think it extremely doubtful. On the other hand, what if I tell him all I know about you? Who you are, for instance, and what drove you out of England?"