Chapter 13: The Compact

⁠​​​‌​​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‌‌​‌​​‌​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌‌‌​​​‌‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌‌​​​​‌‌‌⁠"Now, what have you to say? We are safe from meddlers here."

Bower spoke curtly. Stampa and he were halfway across the narrow strip of undulating meadow land which shut off the hotel from the village. They had followed the footpath, a busy thoroughfare bombarded with golf balls on fine mornings, but likely to be unfrequented till the snow melted. Receiving no answer, Bower glanced sharply at his co