“I MET this gentleman by the gate at the entrance to the wood,” explained Pym. “He inquired his way to Mr. Jopling’s residence, and as he was obviously a stranger to the district I volunteered to guide him, so here I am back again.”
This was addressed to Martha; at any rate Pym fixed his eyes upon her as he spoke, and she smiled and seemed pleased. The stranger raised his hat to Miss Jopling, bowed and turned to her father.
“Mr. Jopling, I presume?”
“Yes, I’m Jopling.”
“Ah, I’m glad to see you. If you can spare me a few minutes I should like to have a word with you. By the way, sir,” turning to Pym, “it was exceedingly kind of you to conduct me here. I might have had some difficulty in finding this sequestered spot. Pray favour me with your name, that I may know to whom I am indebted?”
