"Same to you, sir," said Caleb, and acknowledged the compliment with
a draught, "though 'tes what my gal said afore she desarted me for a
Rooshan."

"Are you a single man, then?"

"To be sure, sir."

"So much the better--but I will talk of that presently. I, too, am a
single man, with rather peculiar tastes. One of these is solitude.
I had heard of Troy as a place where I was likely to find this,
though my experience of this morning--"

"Never mind, sir. Accidents will happen even in the best reggylated
families. You was took for another, which has happened even to Bible
characters afore this--though Jacob's the only one I can call to mind
just now."

"Still, I should be sorry to go back with the knowledge that my
journey has been in vain. But I must have solitude at any price, and
the reason why I am consulting you is that you might possibly know of
a house to let in this neighbourhood, where I could be alone and
secure against visitors."

Caleb scratched his head.

"I'm sure, sir, 'tes hard to say. Troy's a powerful place for
knowin' what your neighbour's got for dinner, and they _do_ say as
the Admiral's telescope will carry dro' a brick wall."