ar curiosity."

The man laughed, panting a little from his exertions. He did not look
like a criminal; indeed he appeared distinctly meek. He seemed happy,
too.

"No," he replied. "This is the first time in my life. I am going on a
holiday. May I in return ask you if you usually travel in evening dress
in the morning?"

Tony smiled.

"No; I too am going on a holiday."

"To Shereling?" asked the man amiably.

"I don't know."

"You don't know."

"No; I was dull. So I took the five-shilling ticket and the first train.
I have no notion where I shall get out."

"What a splendid idea!" cried the other enthusiastically, much to Tony's
astonishment. "Most of us are so bound by convention that we plot and
plan for weeks: often we even go where we don't want to."

"Why?"

The other hesitated.

"Domestic pressure," he said with a smile. "You seem an understanding
sort of chap, so I don't mind telling you that. This year--last night,
to be candid--I resolved to burst my shackles for a time. Certain ...
events ... hastened my decision. I am going to Shereling. I left in
rather a hurry--you see I have no collar. I suppose I shall have to
wait till we get to Shereling now before I can buy one."

"There's no hosiery department on the train," said Tony: "railway
companies are very unimaginative. If there were, I'd buy a decent suit
to travel in. Do tell me why you came in in that unconventional way."

"Sorry," said the man, "but I can't do that. It's all right, you know: I
have a ticket."

"Of course," agreed Tony politely, and relapsed into musing. Here was a
perfect windfall with enormous possibilities. Decidedly he must not lose
sight of his new companion; he would get out at Shereling, too. Tony
studied him from half-shut eyes: he looked a decent little chap--almost
jolly ... rather like a schoolboy off for a holiday, expecting some
excellent pleasure and glorying in the prospect. Also, he was mysterious
and secretive, though to outward appearance he was a prosperous business
man in a small way--a head clerk or under-manager perhaps. There was
something in his face, too, an innocent zest, that appealed to the blase
young man. "Yes, old cock," thought Tony, "I must freeze on to you,
whether you like it or not."

After a silence the old cock began to crow, and soon there was a brisk
conversation in progress. They talked chiefly of trivial things, but
held each other's interest nevertheless. Tony's outlook and the