bed in
words of his own employment.

Visiting Drewsteignton, about a month after the return of Chris
Blanchard to her own, the man determined to extend his ride and return
by devious ways. He passed, therefore, where the unique Devonian
cromlech stands hard by Bradmere pool. A lane separates this granite
antiquity from the lake below, and as John Grimbal rode between them,
his head high enough to look over the hedge, he observed a ladder raised
against the Spinsters' Rock, as the cromlech is called, and a man with a
tape-measure sitting on the cover stone.

It was the industrious Martin, home once again. After his difference
with Blanchard, the antiquary left Devon for another tour in connection
with his work, and had devoted the past six months to study of
prehistoric remains in Guernsey, Herm, and other of the Channel Islands.

Before departing, he had finally regained his brother's friendship,
though the close fraternal amity of the past appeared unlikely to return
between them. Now John recognised Martin, and his first impulse produced
pleasure, while his second was one of irritation. He felt glad to see
his brother; he experienced annoyance that Martin should thus return to
Chagford and not call immediately at the Red House.

"Hullo! Home again! I suppose you forgot you had a brother?"

"John, by all that's surprising! Forget? Was it probable? Have I so many
flesh-and-blood friends to remember? I arrived yesterday and called on
you this morning, only to find you were at Drewsteignton; so I came to
verify some figures at the cromlech, hoping we might meet the sooner."

He was beside his brother by this time, and they shook hands over the
hedge.

"I'll leave the ladder and walk by you and have a chat."

"It's too hot to ride at a walk. Come you here to Bradmere Pool. We can
lie down in the shade by the water, and I'll tether my horse for half an
hour."

Five minutes later the brothers sat under the shadow of oaks and beeches
at the edge of a little tarn set in fine foliage.

"Pleasant to see you," said Martin. "And looking younger I do think.
It's the open air. I'll wager you don't get slimmer in the waist-belt
though."

"Yes, I'm all right."

"What's the main interest of life for you now?"

John reflected before answering.

"Not quite sure. Depends on my mood. Just been buying a greyhound bitch
at Drewsteignton. I'm going coursing presently. A kennel will amuse me.
I spend most of my time with dogs