"Ah! you are here!" exclaimed the former, starting forward, and
grasping tightly the hand that was extended to receive him. "When
did you arrive?"
"This moment."
"From--?"
"No matter where from, at present. Enough that I am here." The
servant had retired, and the closed door was locked. "But there is
one thing I don't just like."
"What is that?"
"You penetrated my disguise too easily."
"I expected you, and knew, when inquired for, by whom I was wanted."
"That as far as it goes. But would you have known me if I had passed
you in the street?"
The man named Leach took a long, close survey of the other, and then
replied--
"I think not, for you are shockingly disfigured. How did you manage
to get that deep gash across your forehead?"
"It occurred in an affray with one of the natives; I came near
losing my life."
"A narrow escape, I should say."
"It was. But I had the satisfaction of shooting the bloody rascal
through the heart." And a grin of savage pleasure showed the man's
white teeth gleaming below the jetty moustache.
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