THE FLY 61 



and was quite unconscious of the possible existence of 

 a second. The suggestion that he might occasionally 

 err would have been received by him in blank amaze- 

 ment ; he was obviously incapable of entertaining the 

 conception. His self-confidence was unlimited, and he 

 was ready to resolve the difficulties of others as he 

 would have resolved his own — had he ever encountered 

 any. When his companion, unable to make up his 

 mind, appealed to him for aid, he responded with 

 alacrity, and pronounced his judgment with a finality 

 that was delightful. 



It seemed that they had forgathered during the day 

 with an ancient native to whom the loch was an open 

 secret. He knew the lie of every fish and could fore- 

 tell, unerringly, the circumstances in which, and the 

 lure by means of which, it was to be seduced. There 

 was in the water nothingr hidden which had not been 

 revealed to him. So precise and accurate was his in- 

 formation and so mathematically certain his results, that 

 to him angling must have been deprived of all its charm. 

 He had arrangred to conduct them over the loch on the 

 following morning, and they were revelling in the pro- 

 spect of a success hitherto beyond their wildest dreams. 



When their preparations were completed and they 

 were at leisure to turn their thoughts to things of less 



