Cherriton drew John's attention to these buildings.
"I want you to come and have a look at that little place, Treves," he said, in a casual tone.
"What is its particular interest?" asked John.
"It has a particular interest for me," Cherriton answered, "because I have rented it furnished for six months. It is a delightful little place, and just the sort of bachelor abode to suit me." He turned his light blue eyes and looked with what might have been called frankness into John's face. "I hope you'll give me the pleasure of being my guest there one of these days soon. Doctor Voules is lending me Conrad for servant, and I shall be able to make you fairly comfortable."
"Thanks," said John; "I shall be pleased to come."
"Why not come and have a look at it now?" continued Cherriton. "We can't ride across the heather, but there is a path, and we can push our bicycles."
"Thanks all the same," said John, "but I am afraid I cannot spare the time."
"I can give you a very decent peg of whisky," said Cherriton, quietly.
John, playing the part of Bernard Treves, smiled.
"I am afraid I must keep off the whisky, as I am going to see my father," he answered adroitly.
After that Cherriton pressed him no more. Presently, however, he slackened his pace.
"This is where I get off," he said. He dismounted, and John also alighted. "Why not come in until the rain is over?"
Cherriton turned and pushed his bicycle through the gap in the stone wall. He was still scheming with all his thoughts to get John into the secluded cottage. A new thought came to him.
"By the way," he said, "has your friend Manwitz been able to give you any of the tablets you used to be so anxious about?" He paused a moment, looking John steadily in the eyes, "or have you managed to break the habit?"
John detected something in his tone which caused him to move warily.
"I have had nothing from him for some time; and, as for breaking that sort of habit, it isn't so easy. What made you ask that?"
"Merely the fact," answered Cherriton, cunningly, "that I think I can give you what you want."
John had already detected that the other had a strong reason for getting him into the cottage, and, though at first he had made up his mind to accept no invitation, he now saw that he was liable to fall into a trap. For if he declined to come to the cottage for the tablets, which were a mania with Treves, he would without doubt deepen Cherriton's suspicions. Therefore, acting the part of Treves, he broke into a laugh.