"Stop," said the Commissioner, "what are your plans?"
Mokorongo had a quick mind: he unfolded his plan without hesitation.
"I will talk awhile with the stranger, who will tell me of Chiromo; whether he has a beard or has no beard; whether he is very old or not so old; if he is fat or thin; what his loin cloth is like, or if he wears a skin."
"Good, and then?"
"I will travel to the village, which I shall reach before morning. In the bush I will hide my uniform. Near the village I will lie in wait. In the morning Chiromo will come out of his hut. All day I will watch and when the people have eaten and sleep I will arrest Chiromo."
"How?"
"I will go to his hut and call to him, saying that I am a traveller from Sijoba on my way to Katora. That the sun has set and I ask for shelter. I shall tell him that I have some meat of a buck which I found dead near the path. Then Chiromo will open the door of his hut and I shall tie him. And he will come with me because of my uniform and the people will not hinder me because of my uniform."
"Good, take the handcuffs. But there is one thing you have forgotten. You must bring in a basket all Chiromo's medicine."
"I will bring the medicine," replied the messenger, clutching at the paperweight which bulged under his tunic.
"Go safely," said the master.