"Some one was listening to us talking, but whoever it was he managed to
slip away while we were arguing the question."
"Well, he didn't learn much," I said. "It was probably one of the
islanders, and you've scared the life out of him now."
Holman gripped my arm as I turned away, and he put a question in a tense
whisper.
"What do you think of Leith?" he asked.
Somehow the question did not surprise me, but I was not in a hurry to
give my opinion of the, Professor's partner.
"I have only spoken a few words to him," I countered cautiously.
"But your impression?" stammered the youngster. "Don't you think--well,
of course you haven't got the lay of things yet."
I smiled at the guilelessness of the boy who was making a confidant of
a stranger. "What's wrong with Leith?" I asked. "What are you hinting
at?"
Holman glanced at the Tongan at the wheel, then at the shadow patch that
had disturbed his nerves a few moments before.
"He's the devil!" he whispered.
I felt inclined to laugh. Leith was certainly not a person that one
would take to the moment an introduction was given, but the manner in
which the young fellow had imparted his opinion was amusing.
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