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Chapter 10
Andyettherewerethreeofthem;andonewasold,andonewasplump,andonewasleananddark;andtheirhousechimedinwithScudder’snotes;andhalfamileoffwaslyingasteamyachtwithatleastoneGermanofficer.IthoughtofKarolideslyingdeadandallEuropetremblingontheedgeofearthquake,andthemenIhadleftbehindmeinLondonwhowerewaitinganxiouslyfortheeventsofthenexthours.Therewasnodoubtthathellwasafootsomewhere.TheBlackStonehadwon,andifitsurvivedthisJunenightwouldbankitswinnings.
Thereseemedonlyonethingtodo—goforwardasifIhadnodoubts,andifIwasgoingtomakeafoolofmyselftodoithandsomely.NeverinmylifehaveIfacedajobwithgreaterdisinclination.Iwouldratherinmythenmindhavewalkedintoadenofanarchists,eachwithhisBrowninghandy,orfacedacharginglionwithapopgun,thanenterthathappyhomeofthreecheerfulEnglishmenandtellthemthattheirgamewasup.Howtheywouldlaughatme!
ButsuddenlyIrememberedathingIonceheardinRhodesiafromoldPeterPienaar.IhavequotedPeteralreadyinthisnarrative.HewasthebestscoutIeverknew,andbeforehehadturnedrespectablehehadbeenprettyoftenonthewindysideofthelaw,whenhehadbeenwantedbadlybytheauthorities.Peteroncediscussedwithmethequestionofdisguises,andhehadatheorywhichstruckmeatthetime.Hesaid,barringabsolutecertaintieslikefingerprints,merephysicaltraitswereverylittleuseforidentificationifthefugitivereallyknewhisbusiness.
