“You mean the navvies?” broke he in. “You 're right, I was a navvy once; I turned the first spadeful of earth on the Coppleston Junction, and, seeing what a good thing might be made of it, I suggested task-work to my comrades, and we netted from four-and-six to five shillings a day each. In eight months after, I was made an inspector; so that you see strong sinews can be good allies to a strong head and a stout will.” I do not believe that the most angry rebuke, the most sarcastic rejoinder, could have covered me with a tenth part of the shame and confusion that did these few words. I'd have given worlds, if I had them, to make a due reparation for my rudeness, but I knew not how to accomplish it I looked into his face to read if I might hit upon some trait by which his nature could be approached; but I might as well have gazed at a line of railroad to guess the sort of town that it led to. The stern, rugged, bold countenance seemed to imply little else than daring and determination, and I could not but wonder how I had ever dared to take a liberty with one of his stamp. “Well,” said I, at last, and wishing to lead him back to his story, “and after being made inspector--” “You can speak German well,” said he, totally inattentive to my question; “just ask one of these people when there will be any conveyance from this to Ragatz.” “Ragatz, of all places!” exclaimed I. “Yes; they tell me it's good for the rheumatics, and I have got some old shoulder pains I 'd like to shake off before winter. And then this sprain, too; I foresee I shall not be able to walk much for some days to come.” “Ragatz is on my road; I am about to cross the Splugen into Italy; I'll bear you company so far, if you have no objection.” “Well, it may not seem civil to say it, but I have an objection,” said he, rising from the table. “When I've got weighty things on my mind, I 've a bad habit of talking of them to myself aloud. I can't help it, and so I keep strictly alone till my plans are all fixed and settled; after that, there's no danger of my revealing them to any one. There now, you have my reason, and you 'll not dispute that it's a good one.” “You may not be too distrustful of yourself,” said I, laughing, “but, assuredly, you are far too flattering in your estimate of _my_ acuteness.” “I'll not risk it,” said he, bluntly, as he sought for his hat. “Wait a moment,” said I. “You told me at Constance that you were in want of money; at the time I was not exactly in funds myself. Yesterday, however, I received a remittance; and if ten or twenty pounds be of any service, they are heartily at your disposal.” He looked at me fixedly, almost sternly, for a minute or two, and then said,-- “Is this true, or is it that you have changed your mind about me?” “True,” said I,--“strictly true.” “Will this loan--I mean it to be a loan--inconvenience you much?” “No, no; I make you the offer freely.”