The stranger began laughing.
"You are prudent," he said.
"Prudence is the mother of safety," the Canadian answered, sententiously.
"I do not blame you," the stranger continued, still laughing. "I am free to confess, indeed, that I am delighted to see you behave thus."
"In that case, all is for the best."
"As for me, look," he said, as he opened his cloak. "I have not so much as a pin about me."
"That is easy to comprehend," said the adventurer, "for you are at home."
"What do you mean?" the stranger asked, in surprise. "What do you know about it?"
"I mean that you are in your own country, while I am a foreigner; that is all."
"Ah, very good; but in order to reassure you completely, and prove to you that I wish to deal above-board with you, look at me," he said, as he took off the broad-brimmed hat which concealed his face.