"You needn't get your shirt out, old chap," was the answer, quite good-humouredly. "Look here, now—we are alone together—so just between ourselves. Do you notice how all of these up-country going fellows shunt him—Wheeler, for instance? and Garway, who is at your hotel, never speaks to him. And Garway, you'll admit, is as good a fellow as ever lived."
"Yes, I'll own up to that. What then?"
"Only this, that they know a good deal that we don't."
"Well, what do they know—or say they know?"
"Look here, Stanninghame," said Rainsford, rather mysteriously, "has Hazon ever told you any of his up-country experiences?"
"A few—yes."
"Did he ever suggest you should take a trip with him?"
"We have even discussed that possibility."
"Ah——!" Then Rainsford gave a long whistle, and his voice became impressive as he resumed: "Watch it, Stanninghame. From time to time other men have gone up country with Hazon, but—not one of them has ever returned."
"Oh, that's what you're all down on him about, is it?"