"But your impression?" stammered the youngster. "Don't you think—well, of course you haven't got the lay of things yet."
I smiled at the guilelessness of the boy who was making a confidant of a stranger. "What's wrong with Leith?" I asked. "What are you hinting at?"
Holman glanced at the Tongan at the wheel, then at the shadow patch that had disturbed his nerves a few moments before.
"He's the devil!" he whispered.
I felt inclined to laugh. Leith was certainly not a person that one would take to the moment an introduction was given, but the manner in which the young fellow had imparted his opinion was amusing. But it was evident that I had not guessed wrong when I divined trouble the moment I came over the side of the yacht.
Holman caught my coat with his left hand as we turned, and he spoke excitedly.
"Do you know what we're after?" he queried hoarsely.
"It's a scientific expedition," I replied. "That's what you and Captain Newmarch told me, and I have not questioned any one else."
"But do you know the particular line we are after?"
"No," I replied.