The Swindler and Other Stories

t Barren Hill opened to allow a convict who had just compl

as he emerged, and a man in a long overcoat, with

ing of the gate, and t

ficult silence; then the

est, I

a single comprehensive glance that

said curtly, "if

mly lined as to mask all expression. His eyes alone were vividl

gment with grave courtesy, and

to meet you, as no doubt you have been told. You ha

e with you," he said, in his brief, clipped style, "there is one thing I want to k

fixed Babbacombe with a stare

in his reply. He was not a m

nything you like," he sai

sidered

is aggressive tone slightly modified

bbacombe held for him, turned up the collar, and with

. In another moment they had glided away into t

his chin buried in his coat, his keen eyes staring straigh

slackening, but never stopping. The sun broke through at length, revealing a country of hills

since their start

you going too long. W

nd me," s

was slack

unting country

s it?" a

thly down a long avenue of beech trees, wi

some managing,

be answered. "It ne

it lay wide stretches of park land. Rabbits scuttled in the sunsh

o hounds?" ask

turned with a mov

," he said, "and I will

rmth of sympathy for the man. Whatever his sins, he mus

resented the whole of his manhood to Babbacombe. Twelv

ffect twelve years in a convict prison would have had upon himself, what his outlook would ultimately have become,

f the castle. Ancient and splendid it rose before them, its battle

admiration from his companion. Bu

etermined to wring some meed of appreciation f

ike a primeval sort of prison, to my idea. I've

ence. Again, more strongly, he was conscious of that glow

at," he said quietly, "as I hope

f West's eyes, and, after a moment, he

or sort of host," he said, "just remember, will you, that I lik

emed to hesitate on the edge of a

ll tell me to go to the d

be, with quiet humour. "If you ever prefer the de

oulders, as if he deemed himself to be dealing wit