The effect on my companion was as sudden as it was extraordinary. For a
moment he staggered on the path like a drunken man; his face grew ashen
pale, and he had to give utterance to a hoarse choking sound before he
could get out a word. Then he said:

"No--no--you are quite mistaken, I assure you. I never knew the
Andamans."

Now, on the Andamans, as all the world knows, are located the Indian
penal establishments, and noting his behaviour, I became more and more
convinced in my own mind that there was some mystery about Mr. Baxter
that had yet to be explained. I had still a trump card to play.

"I'm afraid you are not very well, Mr. Baxter," I said at length.
"Perhaps the heat is too much for you, or we are walking too fast? This
is my hotel. Won't you come inside and take a glass of wine or something
to revive you?"

He nodded his head eagerly. Large drops of perspiration stood on his
forehead, and I saw that he was quite unstrung. "I am not well--not at
all well."

As soon as we reached the smoking-room I rang for two brandies and
sodas. When they arrived he drank his off almost at a gulp, and in a few
seconds was pretty well himself again.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Hatteras," he said. "I think we must
have walked up the hill a little too fast for my strength. Now, I must
be going back to the town. I find I have forgotten something."

Almost by instinct I guessed his errand. He was going to despatch
another telegram. Resolved to try the effect of one parting shot, I
said:

"Perhaps you do not happen to be going near the telegraph office again?
If you are, should I be taxing your kindness too much if I asked you to
leave a message there for me? I find _I_ have forgotten one."

He bowed and simply said: "With much pleasure."

He pronounced it "pleesure," and as he said it he licked his lips in his
usual self-satisfied fashion. I wondered how he would conduct himself
when he saw the message I was going to write.

Taking a form from a table near where I sat, I wrote the following:

"John Nicholson,
"_Langham Hotel_, London.

"The train is laid, but a new danger has arisen.

"HATTERAS."

Blotting it carefully, I gave it into his hands, at the same time asking
him to read it, lest my writing should not be decipherable and any
question might be asked concerning it. As he read I watched his face
intently. Never shall I forget the expression that swept over it. I had
scored a c