used them to watch closely for the slightest sign that might
reveal to them the always-to-be expected and seldom successful
duplicity so common in those harrowing days when all men were objects of
suspicion. From time to time they glanced inquiringly at each other,
but the stranger's story was so straightforward, so lacking in personal
exploitation, so free from unnecessary detail, that they were finally
convinced that he was all that he represented himself to be and that
they had nothing to fear from him.

His long, hazardous journey by horse through the passes down into the
forests and jungles, out upon the endless, sparsely settled pampas,
and eventually into the remote village that witnessed the passing every
second day of a primitive and far from dependable railway train, was
presented with agreeable simplicity and conciseness. He passed briefly
over what might have been expanded into grave experiences, and at last
came, so to speak, to the gates of the city, unharmed, resolute and full
of the fire that knows no quenching.

"By the way," observed the Captain, still wary, "has it occurred to you
we may be justified in suspecting that you deserted your post up
there in the hills, and that you have betrayed the confidence of your
employers?" Percival had completed what he evidently believed to be a
full and satisfactory account of himself.

"I was in full charge up there, Captain Trigger. My contract had but a
month more to run. I appointed my own successor, and the company will
not be any the worse off for the change. My letter to headquarters,
announcing my decision not to renew the contract, went forward two weeks
before I left the camp. I merely anticipated the actual termination of
my contract by a month or so, and as I handed my resignation at once to
my own newly appointed superintendent, I submit that I acted in absolute
good faith. I may say that he accepted it without a word of protest,
sir. As a matter of fact, I told him in advance that I wouldn't appoint
him unless he agreed to accept my resignation."

The Captain smiled at this ingenuous explanation.

"I daresay I ought to put you under guard, Mr. Percival," he said. "My
duty is very plain. A stowaway is a stowaway, no matter how you look
at him. The regulations do not leave me any choice. Maritime justice
is rarely tempered by mercy. However, under the circumstances, I am
inclined to accept your word of honour that you will not violate your
parole