"You are too good--really far too good," said the stranger. "Suppose we
compromise the matter?" With that his lean hands, encased in
lemon-coloured gloves, let down the window a couple of inches, and fixed
it there with the strap.

"Now really, you know, do just as you like about it," said the Captain,
with that slow amused smile which became his face so well. "As I said
before, I am altogether indifferent in the matter."

"As it is now, it will suit both of us, I think. And now to join you in
your smoke."

From the net over his head he reached down a small mahogany case. This
he opened, and from it extracted a large meerschaum pipe elaborately
mounted with gold filigree work. Having charged the pipe from an
embroidered pouch filled with choice Turkish tobacco, he struck an
allumette and began to smoke.

"Decidedly an acquaintance worth cultivating," murmured the Captain
under his breath. "But what country does the beggar belong to?" A
question more easily asked than answered: at all events, it was one
which the Captain found himself unable to solve to his own satisfaction.
For a few minutes they smoked in silence.

"Do you travel far, to-day?" asked the stranger at length. "Are you
going across the Border?"

"The end of my journey is Stapleton, Lord Barnstake's place, and not a
great way from Edinburgh. Shall I have the pleasure of your company as
far as I go by rail?"