"Oh, yes, I'll make sure of some supper. If it's to be a fight I can fight better on a full stomach than an empty one."
So they went inside, and found it pleasant to close the door, which was a very unusual thing with them.
Captain Pym's manner during supper was still somewhat stiff and formal; but he unbent enough to give them the latest astonishing news of the outside world, the lack of which was the one thing they felt somewhat at times. But it was only when the pipes were alight afterwards that he disclosed himself.
"You are wondering, no doubt, what brings me here, Mr. Blair," he said.
"Well—yes, somewhat. You are the first visitor we have had."
"Not quite. And it is because of those others that I am here."
Blair looked at him in surprise. Captain Cathie nodded understandingly, as though in confirmation of his own thoughts.
"Certain complaints have been made to the Government concerning some of your doings here, and they have sent me to look into the matter."
"I—see. You refer to the kidnappers we put a stopper on——"
"That complaint comes from Peru. There is one also from the American government——"