“How are you, Teddy?” Hall asked.
“You got a suspicious man at home!” said Teddy Henfrey.
“What’s that?” Hall asked.
“A strange customer is at the ‘Coach and Horses’,” said Teddy.
And he gave Hall a description of his wife’s guest. “Looks a bit like a disguise, doesn’t it? I’d like to see a man’s face if I had him in my place,” said Henfrey. “But women trust strangers. He’s taken your rooms, and he hasn’t even given a name, Hall.”
“You don’t say so[10]!” said Hall.
“Yes,” said Teddy. “For a week. And he’s got a lot of luggage coming tomorrow, so he says.”
Teddy walked on feeling much better.
On his return, Hall instructed his wife to find out more about their guest and to look very closely at his luggage when it came next day.
“You mind your own business, Hall,” said Mrs. Hall, “and I’ll mind mine.”
She was very annoyed by Hall because she herself had some doubts about the stranger.
Chapter III
The Thousand and One Bottles
Next day his luggage arrived – and very remarkable luggage it was.
There were a couple of trunks, such as any man might have, but there was also a box of books – big, fat books – and a lot of boxes with glass bottles. The stranger, muffled in hat, coat, and gloves came out to meet Fearenside’s cart, not noticing Fearenside’s dog.
When the dog saw him, it sprang straight at his hand.
Fearenside cried, “Lie down!”
They saw the dog’s teeth slip the hand, and bite the stranger’s leg. It all happened in half a minute. No one spoke, every one shouted. The stranger looked swiftly at his torn glove and trousers, then turned and rushed into the inn.
They heard him go to his room.
Hall was also there staring. “He was bitten,” said Hall. “I’d better go and see.” And he went after the stranger.
He met Mrs. Hall in the inn.
“Fearenside’s dog,” he said, “bit him.”