“Thank you, squire,” said Sanderson, who seemed very much amused at something. “You do me proud.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean that I cooked the breakfast.”
“You!” exclaimed Cunningham and Bernard, in concert.
“Yes; I went out into the kitchen and scraped acquaintance with one of the understrappers who knows a little English, and I offered a piaster for the privilege of cooking the ham and eggs. They accepted the offer, and gave me what I needed. So here you see the result.”
“We missed you during the last half hour, but had no idea you were getting our breakfast Really, Mr. Sanderson, you have quite a genius for cookery.”
“I guess I could make a good living as a cook if I had to. Any way, if I couldn’t cook better than them furriners I’d be ashamed of myself.”
“I hope this isn’t the last time we are indebted to your skill.”
“Well, I don’t think I’d be willing to do it regular. It would be too much like work.”
Apart from the poor hotels the travelers enjoyed their leisurely journey. Sometimes they proceeded only fifteen miles a day. The trip was pleasant, but not exciting. The excitement was to come.