“Yes,” was my reply, for I determined on brevity wherever possible.
“What brought you into this scrape?—I mean, why did you come here at all?”
“I was travelling.”
“Travelling? Stuff and nonsense! Why should fellows like you travel? What's your rank in life?”
“A gentleman.”
“Ah! but whose gentleman, my worthy friend? Ain't you a flunkey? There, it's out! I say, have you got a match to light my cigar? Thanks,—all right. Look here, now,—don't let us be beating about the bush all the day,—I believe this government is just as sick of you as you are of them. You 've been here two months, ain't it so?”
“Ten months and upwards.”
“Well, ten months. And you want to get away?”
I made no answer; indeed, his free-and-easy manner so disconcerted me that I could not speak, and he went on,—
“I suspect they have n't got much against you, or that they don't care about it; and, besides, they are civil to us just now. At all events, it can be done,—you understand?—it can be done.”