Challoner bowed.
"You have brought me some news of my nephew, Richard Blake?"
This disconcerted Clarke. He had not imagined that his object would be known, and he had counted upon Challoner's being surprised and thrown off his guard. It looked as if the Colonel had been making inquiries about Blake. Clarke wished that he could guess his reason, for it might affect the situation.
"That is correct," he said. "I have a good deal to tell you, and it may take some time."
Challoner motioned to him to be seated, and offered him a cigar; and
Clarke lighted it before he spoke.
"Your nephew," he began, "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 with him a young American traveler for a paint factory, besides another man."
"I know all that," 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."
"Yes?" Challoner said.
He was suspicious, for his visitor's looks were not in his favor.