Part 19 (1/2)

'I like this coast,' said Davies 'And--ant to shoot soot hi armament and exploits, and hoped the subject was disposed of Ducks were pretexts, and ht lead to complications I particularly wanted a free hand

'As to wild fowl,' said our friend, 'I would like to give you gentleot, now that autuot a shot in Septe about them when I saw you last) And even now it's early for amateurs In hard winter weather a child can pick the You want a local punt, and above all a local o to work seriously Now, if you really wish for sport, I could help you I could get you a trustworthy--'

'Oh, it's too good of you,' stammered Davies, in a more unhappy accent than usual 'We can easily find one for ourselves Aoffered--'

'Oh, did he?' interrupted von Bruning, laughing 'I'm not surprised

You don't know the Frieslanders They're guileless, as I said, but they cling to their little perquisites' (I translated to Davies) 'They've been cheated out of wrecks, and they're all the more sensitive about ducks, which are er is a poacher Your ht errors as to time and place'

'You said they were odd in their manner, didn't you, Davies?' I put in 'Look here, this is very kind of Co; but hadn't we better be certain ofdown to shoot? Let's push on direct to Norderney and get that letter of ain, I suppose, co ards, and shall probably call at Norderney Come aboard if you're there, won't you? I should like to show you the Blitz'

'Thanks, very much,' said Davies, uneasily

'Thanks, very much,' said I, as heartily as I could

Our party broke up soon after this

'Well, gentlemen, I must take leave of you,' said our friend 'I have to drive to Esens I shall be going back to the Blitz on the evening tide, but you'll be busy then with your own boat'

It had been a puzzling interview, but the greatest puzzle was still to con to

'One word in confidence with you, Herr Carruthers,' he said, speaking low 'You won't think ard for your friend It is about the Dolle him'

'Thanks,' I said, 'but really--'

'It's only a hint He's a splendid young fellow, but if anything--you understand--too honest and simple I take it you have influence with him, and I should use it'

'I was not in earnest,' I said 'I have never seen the Doll hied his shoulders--'I know everybody'

'What's wrong with them?' I said, point-blank

'Softly! Herr Carruthers Reers, foreigners, and young You I take to have discretion, or I should not have said a word Still, I will add this

We know very little of Herr Dollin, his antecedents

He is half a Swede, I believe, certainly not a Prussian; cao, appears to be rich, and has joined in various cos Little scope about here? Oh, there isresorts, you know, speculation in land on these islands Sharp practice? Oh, no! he's perfectly straight in that way But he's a queer fellow, of eccentric habits, and--and, well, as I say, little is known of hi'

I saw that to press him further was useless

'Thanks; I'll remember,' I said