"You appear," said Varney, his curiosity increasingly piqued, "to speak of these matters with authority--" "Rather let us say with certitude." "Possibly you yourself have felt the iron-toothed bite of the machine?" "I?" "Why not?" The young man looked shocked; slowly his pale face took on a look of cynical amusement. "Yes, yes. Certainly. Who more so?" He appeared to hesitate a moment, and then added with a laugh which held a curious tinge of defiance: "In fact, I myself have the honor of being the owner and editor of the _Gazette_--Coligny Smith, at your service--" "Coligny Smith!" echoed Varney amazed. The young man glanced up. "It was my father you have heard of. He died three years ago. However," he added, with an odd touch of pride, "he always said that I wrote the better articles." There was a moment's silence. Varney felt by turns astonished, disgusted, sorry, embarrassed. Then he burst out laughing. "Well, you have a nerve to tell me this. Smith. In doing so, you seem to have brought our conversation to a logical conclusion. I thank you for your kindly advice and piquant confession, and so, good evening." Mr. Smith straightened on his packing-case and spoke with unexpected eagerness. "Oh--must you go? The night's so young--why not--come up to the Ottoman and have something? I'll--I'd be glad to explain--" "I fear I cannot yield to the editorial blandishments this evening." "Well--I merely--" "What?" "Oh, nothing. But remember--you'll get into trouble if you stay." Varney laughed. He went on toward his waiting gig feeling vaguely displeased with the results of his half-hour ashore, and deciding that for the future it would be best to give the town a wide berth. The privacy of the yacht better suited his mission than Main Street, Hunston. However, the end was not yet. He had not reached the landing before a thought came to him which stopped him in his tracks. CHAPTER V INTRODUCES MARY CARSTAIRS AND ANOTHER Clearly he must see Peter, at once, before that impetuous enthusiast had had time to involve himself in anything, and tell him bluntly that he must leave the affairs of Hunston alone until their own delicate business had been safely disposed of.