He was entirely at his ease.
As cool in Perth as if he stood on Broadway, he watched the crowds with a smile at his lips.
Thousands of miles from home, the Quaker, who was daunted by nothing, felt as secure of victory as if he had not an enemy in the world.
When at last he turned in it was with a feeling of coming victory which nothing could dim.
Had he not left Waters on guard at the ranch?
He was serving Belle Demona, and Stareyes would not betray him.
But Old Broadbrim did not know that the trial of his life was yet to come, and that he was on the eve of the most perilous adventure of his memorable career.
But if he had known this would he have shrunk?
No; he would not have been Old Broadbrim, the Ferret, if he had done so.
He was a man who never fled from danger when duty called.