g to
the curious people who were to be found idling about the "White Swan."
But he had a talk with the landlord. That functionary waited upon him to
know his pleasure as to supper.

"The ride has given me a headache," the stranger said, "which a cup of
tea will probably remove. Beyond that, I will take nothing to-night.
Your name is--"

"Adams, sir. Adams is my name," replied the landlord.

"And mine is Willoughby--Col. Willoughby." And the Englishman bowed with
a slight air of condescension.

"I am at your service, Col. Willoughby," said the landlord in his blunt
way. "Just say what you want, and the thing is done."

"A cup of tea will serve me to-night, my friend. Let it be good and
strong; for my head is a little unsettled with this throbbing pain.
That stage coach of yours would be something better for a pair of new
springs."

"It's seen service, and no mistake. But people in these parts don't
calculate much on easy riding. Springs are no great account. We look to
the main chance."

"What is that?"

"Getting over the ground."

The traveler smiled to himself in a quiet way, as if the landlord's
answer had touched some memory or experience.

Nothing further being remarked, Mr. Adams retired to order a cup of
tea for his guest. Something about the Englishman had stimulated his
curiosity; and, so, instead of sending the cup of tea by his wife, who
did most of the waiting, he carried it to the room himself.

"Sit down, Mr. Adams," said the traveler, after the tea had been put
before him.

The landlord did not wait for a second invitation.

"I hope the tea is to your liking, sir."

"Excellent. I've not tasted better since I left London."

The traveler spoke blandly, as he held his cup a little way from his
lips, and looked over the top of it at his host with something more than
a casual glance. He was reading his face with an evident effort to gain
from it, as an index, some clear impression of his character.

"My wife understands her business," replied the flattered landlord.
"There is not her equal in all the country round."

"I can believe you, Mr. Adams. Already this delicious beverage has acted
like a charmed potion. My headache has left me as if by magic."

He set his cup down; moved his chair a little way from the table at
which he was sitting, and threw a pleasant look upon the landlord.

"How long have you been in this town, Mr. Adams?" The question seemed
indifferently asked; but the lan