The man sat down in the chair indicated, looked Mr. Bryce up and down, without, however, the least sign of offensiveness in his gaze, and said without any further preliminary, "I've come to see you about that advertisement."
"Um!" said Mr. Bryce non-committally. "Yes, that ad. What about it?"
"I think," said the other with his eyes fixed intently on Mr. Bryce, "I think I am the best man for the job."
"I haven't told you yet what the job is," Mr. Bryce objected.
"That's so," the other admitted. "Beyond saying that it was dangerous, you did not attempt to describe it. It doesn't matter what you want in the Grampians. I'm the man to take. I know the place well."
"It's changed vastly in thirty years," Bryce said suddenly.
The other must have been expecting something like this, for he never turned a hair. As far as he was concerned Mr. Bryce's observation might have been the most casual remark in the world. He ignored it. Perhaps it would have been better had he commented on it and asked what association to-day's expedition had with what had happened during thirty odd years. He passed the matter over in silence, and in that instant Bryce guessed that the man knew as much, if not more, than he did.
"Do you know why I advertised that expedition as dangerous?" Bryce asked, seeing that the other made no attempt to reply.
The man shook his head. "No, I don't," he said distinctly.
"I'll tell you," said Bryce, and he leaned forward in simulated confidence. "I'm fat and I wheeze. My bellows are all to blazes and the doctors won't give a rap for my heart. I might go out any minute, more especially if there's any extra exertion. Now I want a man who won't ask questions, who will do the exertions for two, and take what's coming with a grin."