"It seems a quiet place," thought Fred. "I shall find it dull enough,
but if I accomplish my purpose I won't complain of that."

He scarcely needed to inquire for the village inn, for it was in plain
sight, not a hundred yards from the station. As the town seemed to be
peopled chiefly by French residents it would have been natural to
conclude that the hotel also would be French. This, however, was not
the case, for the Lion Inn (there was a swinging signboard adorned by
the figure of a lion, the work of a fourth-rate sign painter) was kept
by a short, stout, red-faced Englishman, who stood in the doorway as
Fred came up, valise in hand.

"Is this the hotel?" asked Fred.

"Yes, sir," was the reply.

"I should like to stay with you for a while."

"All right, sir. Come right in, and we'll accommodate you with a room.
Have you had supper?"

"No. I should like some, for I am very hungry."

"It shall be ready for you, sir, in a jiffy. Will 'am and heggs suit
you, sir?"

"Yes, I shall relish them."

"James, take the young gentleman's bag up to No. 5."

"I should like water and towels, as I have had a long and dusty ride."

Fred was ushered into a small bedroom on the second floor, very plainly
furnished, but the train boy was not accustomed to luxurious
accommodations, and found it satisfactory. He indulged himself in a
thorough ablution, then sat down at the window, which was in the front
of the house.

Soon there was a knock at the door, and the boy James made his
appearance.

"Please, sir, your supper's ready," he said.

"And so am I," returned Fred with alacrity.

He descended to a small dining-room, adjoining the bar. It was not more
than twelve feet square, and from its size it might be inferred that
the Lion Inn was seldom overrun with guests.

Fred sat down at the table alone, but presently a man of thirty-five or
thereabouts entered and took a seat opposite him.

"Good evening, young man," he said. "Where do you come from?"

"Good evening," answered Fred, civilly. "I come from New York."

The other arched his brows.

"So do I," he said. "What sent you here to this out-of-the-way place?"

"There's good hunting hereabouts, isn't there?"

"Yes, are you fond of hunting?"

"I like it pretty well. I've just had a present of a handsome rifle."

It should be mentioned here that before Fred left New York Mr.
Wainwright had given him a gun which would serve him as an excuse for
his journey.