"When such persons come under circumstances of strong suspicion,"
said the other, without replying to him, "it is the business of every
gentleman in the country to keep a vigilant eye upon them."

"I shall hold myself accountable to no such gentleman," replied the
stranger; "but will consider every man, no matter what his rank or
character may be, as unwarrantably impertinent, who arrogantly attempts
to intrude himself in affairs that don't--" he was about to add, "that
don't concern him," when he paused, and added, "into any man's affairs.
Every man has a right to travel incognito, and to live incognito, if he
chooses; and, on that account, sir, so long as I wish to maintain mine,
I shall allow no man to assume the right of penetrating it. If this has
been the object of your visit, you will much oblige me by relinquishing
the one, and putting an end to the other, as soon as may be."

"As a magistrate, sir, I demand to know your name," said the baronet,
who thought that, in the stranger's momentary hesitation, he had
observed symptoms of yielding.

"As an independent man, sir, and a gentleman, I shall not answer such a
question."

"You brave me, sir--you defy me." continued the other, his face still
pale, but baleful in its expression.

"Yes, sir," replied the other, "I brave you--I defy you."

"Very well, sir," returned the baronet--"remember these words."