“But the immediate question is, who is going to do sentinel duty from now until daybreak?” Watson continued. “I’m willing to for one. Who’ll stay out here with me to keep me from getting lonesome?”
“I will,” Guy volunteered eagerly.
Nobody objected to his usurping the privilege, and so it was thus agreed. The other men accordingly reentered the cave, while Guy and Watson began to pace up and down the area to keep warm.
The boy had several reasons for wishing to watch with his interesting friend. The episode just closed had put a new complexion on affairs. He wished to have a long talk with Watson. He had numerous questions to ask. Moreover, he felt that he would not be able to sleep now, and he believed that he could pass a more comfortable night pacing the ice with some one who could converse sympathetically with him.
“Mr. Watson,” he began; “I’d like to ask you some questions.”
“Fire away,” replied the other sentinel. “What’s on your mind?”
“I don’t know just how to open it, but I guess I may as well be blunt. The truth is, you’re a mystery to me. A few days ago, you know, I thought you were a bad egg. But I’ve had good reason to change my mind. Still, you’re a mystery, and you’ll continue to be one until you’ve told me who you are.”
“You’ll have to explain what you mean,” replied Watson quizzically. “There are many ways I might tell you who I am. I might begin by telling you my name; but you know that already, don’t you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Why not?”