"I'm sorry, sir," he said. "We did not know. Of course, we'll leave, the first moment that we can."
"I see no reason," Sutton told him, "why you should not stay."
"Mr. Sutton," said Eva, primly, "came here for peace and quiet. He expects to write a book."
"A book," said the man. "An author, eh?"
Sutton had the uncomfortable feeling that the man was laughing, not at him alone, but at the three of them.
"Mr. Sutton?" said the man, acting as if he were thinking hard. "I can't seem to recall the name. But, then, I'm not a great reader."
"I've never written anything before," said Sutton.
"Oh, well, then," said the man, laughing as if he were relieved, "that probably explains it."
"It's cold out here," Herkimer said, abruptly. "Let us get indoors."
"Certainly," said the man. "Yes, it is cold, although I hadn't noticed it. By the way, my name is Pringle. My partner's name is Case."