He laughed at my reference to his remark on our arrival.
"Why, no, sir, not chance comers like that," he admitted. "Though I wouldn't be too sure on that point—one gets into a habit of noticing, you know, sir. But in the case of anybody who stops here a day or two—never forget, sir. I knew your friend at once—noticeable gentleman, of course."
"Easily recognised," I suggested.
"Just so, sir. Though it'll be—let me see—yes, three years or so since he was here," he answered. "Oh, I remember him well enough. Stopped here two or three nights, one autumn. A collector of curiosities, I think, sir. I remember I bought him a couple of packing-cases to carry away odds and ends that he'd bought in the town. Considerable trade done in that way here, sir—half those shops you see on the other side are curio shops."
"How do they keep up their stock?" I asked.
"Ah! that's a question that a lot of people have put to me, sir," he replied. "You'd almost think they manufacture things! But
