“And welcome, t’otherest!” was the hospitable answer of his host. He had laid himself down without waiting for it, and he remained upon the bed until the sun was low. When he arose and came out to resume his journey, he found his host waiting for him on the grass by the towing-path outside the door.

“Whenever it may be necessary that you and I should have any further communication together,” said Bradley, “I will come back. Good night!”

“Well, since no better can be,” said Riderhood, turning on his heel, “Good night!” But he turned again as the other set forth, and added under his breath, looking after him with a leer: “You wouldn’t be let to go like that, if my relief warn’t as good as come. I’ll catch you up in a mile.”

In a word, his real time of relief being that evening at sunset, his mate came lounging in, within a quarter of an hour. Not staying to fill up the utmost margin of his time, but borrowing an hour or so, to be repaid again when he should relieve his reliever, Riderhood straightway followed on the track of Bradley Headstone.