The cook, known as Tommy, was looked over critically by Jack.
“I believe you’re all to the good,” he said. “You wouldn’t be here if you wasn’t. Now, what do you say to exchanging clothes with me?”
“I have no objections, only I don’t exactly see—”
“We’re just about the same size,” Jack went on. “Same black hair and black eyes, same ugly smooth face—glad you have no whiskers. You’re tanned up a little, but I can put some stain on my face. There you are. The cook goes to Gatun and Culebra and Jack Bosworth remains at the cottage. They won’t think of molesting the cook.”
“I would rather go with you.”
“But some one ought to remain here,” urged Jack.
Tommy thought over the proposition for a moment and smiled.
“All right,” he said. “I’ll remain here, as long as necessary,” he added.
The exchange of clothing was quickly made and Jack managed to darken his face with a stain made of crushed leaves which Tommy gathered for him.
“Now, you’ll stay right here, won’t you?” Jack asked, as he passed out of the doorway. “Ned and Jimmie may return, you know.”