matter of much consequence to HIM. I fancied I was his only
friend. May I venture to ask why you are interested in the poor
old thing?'

Lawford's mind was as calm and shallow as a millpond. 'Oh, a
rather unusual thing happened to me here,' he said. 'You say you
often come?'

'Often,' said the stranger rather curtly.

'Has anything--ever--occurred?'

'"Occurred?"' He raised his eyebrows. 'I wish it had. I come here
simply, as I have said, because it's quiet; because I prefer the
company of those who never answer me back, and who do not so much
as condescend to pay me the least attention.' He smiled and
turned his face towards the quiet fields.

Lawford, after a long pause, lifted his eyes. 'Do you think,' he
said softly, 'it is possible one ever could?'

'"One ever could?"'

'Answer back?'

There was a low rotting wall of stone encompassing Sabathier's
grave; on this the stranger sat down. He glanced up rather
curiously at his companion. 'Seldom the time and the place and
the revenant altogether. The thought has occurred to others,' he
ventured to add.