"You, Percival! What is it you want with me?" came the sharp answer.
"I only came to tell you that the flag is back in its old place, sir."
"I know—I know! And you brought it back, I understand? I meant inquiring into the matter. I'm glad you've forestalled me. You want to explain—eh? That's what you've come for—eh?"
"That's what I've come for, sir," answered Paul, astonished that he should have gained such speedy information as to what had happened. Sometimes, indeed, it seemed as though those half-closed eyes not only saw further than other eyes, but that they had the faculty of double sight as well.
"And yet I don't know whether I can call it an explanation, for there are things which cannot be explained."
"Not explained? How do you mean, sir?" came the sharp answer.
"I received the flag back from a friend of mine—a proved friend—on the solemn promise that I would not make use of the information he had given me to get any of the fellows who had taken it into a scrape."
"Why did you make that promise?"
"Because it was the only way of getting the flag back."
"And that is all the information you can give me?"