"My dear old man," I said. "I'm in a proper mess and I've no intention of pulling you into it after me. And I'd like to say one thing more. You might have rubbed it in that the whole of this trouble was brought on us by my initial folly in accompanying an unknown messenger to the purlieus of the city in the middle of the night. You have never alluded to it; but I'd like you to know that your forbearance did not escape me...."
I stretched forth my hand again. This time John Bard took it.
"I'll send your things down to the Consulate," he said; "they can go on board with Garth's stores."
And so, in perfect understanding, we settled it. At the verandah door I turned and said:—
"And do you think now that there's anything in Adams' story?"
"Yes," my host replied, "I do!"
Then he added, with his little indulgent smile:—
"Are you going after it?"
I shrugged my shoulders.
"I might!" said I.