His interlocutor shrugged his shoulders.
"I am not putting official questions to you at all," he replied,
"nor am I cross-examining you, as might be my duty, under the
circumstances, simply because your friendship with the Cranstons
is, of course, a guarantee as to your position. But on the other
hand, I think it would be reasonable if you were to answer my
question."
Lessingham nodded.
"Perhaps you are right," he admitted. "As you can tell by finding
me here this afternoon, I am a great walker. I arrived--on foot."
"I see," Griffiths reflected. "The other question which we usually
ask is, where was your last stopping place?"
"Stopping place?" Lessingham murmured.
"Yes, where did you sleep the night before you came here?" Griffiths
persisted.
Lessingham shook his head as though oppressed by some distasteful
memory.
"But I did not sleep at all," he complained. "It was one of the
worst nights which I have ever spent in my life."
Captain Griffiths gathered up his reins.
"Well," he said with clumsy sarcasm, "I am much obliged to you, Mr.
Lessingham, for the straight-forward way in which you have answered
my questions. I won't bother you any more just at present. Shall
I see you to-morrow night at Mainsail Haul?"
"Lady Cranston has asked me to dine," was the somewhat reserved reply.
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