"Because you talk well; he likes a chat with a well-informed man." "You think I am well informed?" "Yes; you have traveled in many countries; it must be interesting. I have not gone far from here, only Nottingham." "No farther, never been to London?" "Never." "Would you like to go?" "Yes, but not to stay there; I do not care for cities." They were in Little Trent and as they passed the Sherwood Inn Abel Head saw them. "Well, I'm dashed!" he exclaimed. "I wonder what Tom would say to that. Confound the fellow, he seems to make headway. Wonder how Jane came across him?" Carl left her shortly after and went into the Inn. He knew Abel had seen them, saw him looking through the window. "Nice girl, Jane Thrush," said Carl; "a very nice girl, and seems well brought up." "She is a nice girl," replied Abel; "also well brought up. How came you to know her?" "Quite casually; said good-morning; she responded. Asked her if I might have the pleasure of walking to the village with her; no harm done, I assure you. What I like about this country is people are so free and easy; it's far better, much pleasanter, don't you think so?" said Carl. "It all depends. It is as well not to trust strangers. I don't think Tom Thrush would like his daughter to talk to anybody," said Abel. "Good Lord, why not? Why shouldn't she talk to me?" exclaimed Carl. "Ask him; perhaps he'll tell you," said Abel. "I will. She's promised to ask him to show me round when he has a bit of spare time." "Has she now? Well, I'm blessed! I wonder what he'll say?" "I'll make it worth his while. I don't suppose he'll be too proud to accept a fiver," said Carl. To this Abel said nothing. He knew Tom Thrush's failing--love of money. The game-keeper was not miserly, but he dearly loved handling gold, and Abel surmised he had saved a "tidy sum." As Jane walked home alone, she thought what a pleasant gentleman the stranger was, and how nicely he talked; she never for a moment dreamed there was any harm in speaking to him or allowing him to walk with her to the village. Jane Thrush never knew a mother's care, at least not long enough to influence her life, and her father left her very much to herself. She was accustomed to talk to people she met, tourists, and visitors to Trent Park and the Forest. Intercourse with them broadened her views; she regarded Carl Meason as one of them and he had proved agreeable. As for Carl Meason, he was eager to meet her again; he had few scruples where such girls as Jane Thrush were concerned, and he felt he had made a favorable impression which he meant to cultivate.