Jack went back to the others at the door of the big tent. Linda received him sulkily, but he made believe not to be aware of it.
"Who will tell Sir Bryson?" murmured Vassall.
"I will," said Jack firmly. "I have to talk to him anyway."
"What about?" demanded Linda.
"Mining claims," said Jack "and other things! There has to be a general showdown to-night." He spoke with affected carelessness, nevertheless his heart was beating at the thought of what he must go through with.
They looked at him questioningly.
"You may as well all know it," said Jack. "I am Malcolm Piers."
Before Mrs. Worsley and Vassall had time to recover from their stupefaction at this announcement, Sir Bryson and Baldwin Ferrie came striding from the river-bank. It appeared as if all Sir Bryson's river expeditions were doomed to disappointment. Again he was in a furious temper, and trying without success to conceal it. He passed inside the tent without noticing anybody. Baldwin Ferrie followed him. Jack, without waiting for a command, went in after them.
Sir Bryson flung himself into a chair, and opened up on Jack without any preliminaries. "You say you have worked up and down this pass," he said. "Did you ever hear the name Malcolm Piers?"
"Yes, sir," he said.