"Oh, lord!" said Sanders.
The Hon. George read six other cases, and with every one a line was wiped from Sanders' forehead.
When the recital was finished the Commissioner said slowly—
"I can make a statement to you which will save you a great deal of unnecessary trouble."
"I would rather you didn't," said George, in his best judicial manner.
"Very good," said Sanders; and went away whistling to order dinner.
Over the meal he put it to the correspondent:
"There are a number of people on this station who are friends of mine. I won't disguise the fact from you—there is O'Neill, in charge of the Houssas; the doctor, Kennedy, the chap in charge of the survey party; and half a dozen more. Would you like to question them?"
"They are friends of yours?"
"Yes, personal friends."