He sprang for the spot as he finished speaking, but he found nothing. He
returned to my side shaking his head as if only half convinced about the
matter.

"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.