nose without being threatened with a pistol," he
said hotly.

"But you will admit, my friend, that your always being next to me in
trains is at least suspicious."

"_Donnerwetter!_ And why, for the same reason, should I not be
suspicious of _you_?"

"I trust at least that you have no enemies who seek _your_ life."

"Who knows?" he shrugged. "Every man has enemies. I will thank you, sir,
to keep your pistol in your pocket."

"Willingly. And in return I may say that you may blow your nose as often
as you please."

"_Danke_," with some irony. "You are very kind. I suppose, if when
reaching Ujvidek, I should happen to be going in your direction you
would shoot me without further question."

"That would depend on which direction you are taking," replied Renwick,
with a sense of abortive humor.

"I go to Brod--thence to Sarajevo----"

"The devil you do----!" cried Renwick in English, starting forward and
staring at the man. And then more calmly in German,

"And how are you going?"

The fellow paused and looked out of the window again. "As to that--I do
not know," he said slowly.

He had resumed his air of settled gloom, the dignity of which was
somewhat marred by a vestige of powdered sugar upon his chin, but in
spite of the low esteem in which Renwick had held him, all his former
suspicions of the creature rushed over him in a moment.

"And suppose that I, too, should be going to Brod and Sarajevo?" he
asked brusquely.

The stranger turned toward him a slow bovine gaze which gradually
relaxed into the semblance of a smile.

"_Ach so_," he replied blandly, "then it is just possible that we may go
together."

His manner was sphinxlike again, and the Englishman eyed him curiously,
feeling a strong desire to kick him in the shins. But luckily he
refrained, saying coolly.

"And what means of transportation do you propose to employ? Of course
you know there are no trains----"

"_Natuerlich._"

"Then how shall you travel?"

"And you, Herr Shooter, how shall you go?"

Renwick smiled indulgently.

"If I took an automobile----"

"I should be constrained to go with you."

"Constrained?"

"If you would invite me--or condescend to permit me to pay my share of
the expenses."

The man's personality was slowly expanding. Second class confectioners
who venture on wild goose chases were rare in Renwick's acquaintance. He
was becoming interesting as well as elusive, but Renwick was in no humor
for further