It was on the tip of my tongue to say "At Zanzibar," but, as that might have started him on a string of questions as to how I came to that place and whom I knew there, I temporized.
"Oh, I bought it from a man."
"That is no answer!" he retorted.
If I had been possessed of much inclination to play deep games and match wits with big rascals I suppose I would have answered him civilly and there and then learned more of his purpose. But I was not prepossessed by his charms or respectful of his claim to superiority. The German type super-education never did impress me as compatible with good breeding or good sense, and it annoyed me to have to lie to him.
"It's all the answer you'll get!" I said.
"Where is your license for it?" he growled.
The game began to amuse me.
"None of your business!" I answered.
"How long have you been in the country!"
"Since I came," I said.