our study?" asked Helmsley, with a slight
gesture towards the notebook into which the stranger was now carefully
putting the strayed leaflet.

"Pretty much so!" and he laughed--"I've only got one room to live
in--and it has to serve for both sleeping and eating--so I come out here
to breathe and expand a bit." He paused, and then added gently--"May I
give you my arm up to Miss Deane's cottage?"

"Why, how do you know I live there?" and Helmsley smiled as he put the
question.

"Oh, well, all the village knows that!--and though I'm quite new to the
village--I've only been here a week--I know it too. You're old David,
the basket-maker, aren't you?"

"Yes." And Helmsley nodded emphatically--"That's me!"

"Then I know all about you! My name's Angus Reay. I'm a Scotchman,--I
am, or rather, I _was_ a journalist, and as poor as Job! That's _me_!
Come along!"

The cheery magnetism of his voice and look attracted Helmsley, and
almost before he knew it he was leaning on this new friend's arm,
chatting with him concerning the village, the scenery, and the weather,
in the easiest way possible.

"I came on here from Minehead,"--said Reay--"That was too expensive a
place for me!" And a bright smile flashed from lips to eyes with an
irresistible sunny effect; "I've got just twenty pounds in the world,
and I must make it last me a year. For room, food, fuel, clothes, drink
and smoke! I've promptly cut off the last two!"

"And you're none the worse for it, I daresay!" rejoined Helmsley.

"Not a bit! A good deal the better. In Fleet Street the men drank and
smoked pretty heavily, and I had to drink and smoke with them, if I
wanted to keep in with the lot. I did want to keep in with them, and yet
I didn't. It was a case of 'needs must when the devil drives!'"

"You say you were a journalist. Aren't you one now?"

"No. I'm 'kicked off'!" And Reay threw back his head and laughed
joyously. "'Off you go!' said my editor, one fine morning, after I had
slaved away for him for nearly two years--'We don't want any canting
truth-tellers here!' Now mind that stone! You nearly slipped. Hold my
arm tighter!"

Helmsley did as he was told, quite meekly, looking up with a good deal
of curiosity at this tall athletic creature, with the handsome head and
masterful manner. Reay caught his enquiring glance and laughed again.

"You look as if you wanted to know more about me, old David!" he said
gaily--"So you shall! I've nothing to conceal! A