The very mention of a smoke caused Mr. Blunt to feel in the pocket beneath his poncho, and to extract a long cigar and a match of brilliant hue. Dudley watched him as he dexterously struck the match and kept it alight in spite of the wind, while his nostrils detected the rank fumes which came from the match. His new friend drew at the weed, and every line of his fine open face denoted enjoyment. Then the eyes, which had for a second or more looked somewhat dreamy, fixed themselves on Dudley's face, and scrutinized every feature.
"Hum!" thought Mr. Blunt, "not a bad-looking youngster either, now that the food he has had and this keen air have brought the color to his face. I expect he was a good fellow at school; popular and all that. Perhaps he left to the regret of all, masters as well as boys. Eh?"
"Pardon!" demanded Dudley.
"Not at all," was the answer. "I was thinking aloud, I fear. It is a foolish habit. But tell me, Dudley, are you not somewhat young to be sent out to South America? You tell me you are not quite seventeen. Most youngsters are older than that when they come out. Was there any special reason for your leaving home early?"
He asked the question in his usual manner, his eyes all the time fixed on the face of the young fellow before him. He saw the color rise on Dudley's cheeks. He could almost have declared that he saw tears welling up into the eyes, but he could not be sure, for with such a wind blowing any one might have tears in his eyes. The lad faced his questioner unflinchingly, coughed huskily as if something obstructed his throat, and then answered boldly.
"Yes, sir," he said, "there was a reason. I was to have come out here when I was seventeen and a half but something occurred to send me earlier."
"Something occurred. Exactly so! Just as I thought. And that was——? But there, I am too inquisitive. Your pardon, Dudley. Do not even mention the matter further unless you wish to do so."
"I do wish it, sir," said Dudley with decision, and in such altered tones that Mr. Blunt's attention was again attracted. "I will give you my confidence, knowing that you will not divulge a word. I was expelled."
"Expelled! Sent away from the school! Gracious! For what?"
There was a startled look in Mr. Blunt's eyes. He swung round on his young friend again, for he had turned his head away a moment before, and sat there staring incredulously at him.