The hint in the question swept the breath out of him, and he stood staring.
“I hadn’t suspected——” he struggled for breath to begin. Then, “I see, I see.”
The imminence of danger electrified his dormant forces. He hardened and expanded, and fighting blood began to run in his veins. I said:
“There is one thing more, your Majesty. The white people in the valley are able, daring, and cunning. Already some of them have escaped and are at large in the island.”
“Impossible!” he exclaimed in consternation.
“I have seen them myself, Sire. They are perfectly disguised as natives.” A quick look at the window showed me a frightened but not a reprimanding face.
“You are positive?”
“Absolutely, Sire.”
“How did they come out?”
“Either by tricking Gato’s men, or by connivance with some one, of course.”