So we filed in, Fred Oakes first, and it seemed to me the moment I saw
the collector's face that the outlook was not so depressing. He looked
neither young nor incompetent. His jaw was neither receding nor too
prominent. His neck sat on his shoulders with the air of full
responsibility, unsought but not refused. And his eyes looked straight
into those of each of us in turn with a frank challenge no honest
fellow could resent.

"Take seats, won't you," he said. "Your names, please?"

We told him, and he wrote them down.

"My clerk tells me you tried to bribe the askari. You shouldn't do
that. We are at great pains to keep the police dependable. It's too
bad to put temptation in their way."

Will, with cold precision, told him the exact facts. He listened to
the end, and then laughed.

"One more Goanese mistake!" he said. "We have to employ them. They
mean well. The country has no money to spend on European office
assistants. Well--what can I do for you?"

At that Fred cut loose.

"We want our guns before dark!" he said. "It's the first time my
character has been questioned by any government, and I say the same for
my friends!"