"Colonel Challoner, I presume?" he said.
Challoner bowed. "You have brought me some news of my nephew, Richard Blake?"
This disconcerted Clarke, who had not imagined that his object would be known and had counted upon Challoner's being surprised when he heard it and thrown off his guard. It, however, looked as if the Colonel had been making inquiries about Blake, and Clarke wished he could guess his reason, because it might affect the situation.
"That is correct," he said. "I have a good deal to tell you and it may take some time."
Signing him to be seated, Challoner rang a bell, and wine and cigars and hothouse fruit were brought in. These he offered his guest, who helped himself freely and then said, "Your nephew spent a week in the settlement where I live, preparing for a journey to the North. Though his object was secret, I believe he went in search of something to make varnish of, because he took a young American traveller for a colour factory with him, besides another man."
"I know this," Challoner replied. "I heard about his American companion; who was the other?"
"We will come to him presently. There is still something which I think you do not know."
"Then I should be glad to be informed. But, first of all, could you find Blake if it were necessary?"
"I'm doubtful; the thing would be difficult," Clarke answered in a significant tone. "He hadn't returned when I left, and the country he meant to cross is rugged and covered deep with snow all winter. Food is hard to get and the temperature varies from forty to fifty degrees below."
"I suppose it could be traversed by a properly equipped expedition?"