8
MR. BUNN'S GUESS proved to be much more in accordance with the facts about Friarsmark House— as the adopted old manor and grounds, now a venom farm, was known locally— than Fortworth's knowledge, picked up in Salisbury.
There had been a time when, penuriously supported by a scientific society in London, it had mooned along in a half-and-half sort of way under the control of an ancient professor who contributed nothing new and very little that was old to what was already known about venoms. But all that had been changed within the last year or two since its sale to Sow Foon— or as an ancient rustic, tactfully interviewed by Mr. Bunn, described him, "the foreign gentleman."
"What like of a man is he— this foreign gentleman?" asked Smiler, rather ostentatiously putting his hand into his
