Simultaneously then to all three the thought came too that this
interpretation of Monty's remaining on board was exactly what we
wanted. The more people suspected us of acting independently of him
the better.

"Confront us with our accusers!" Fred insisted.

"You are not accused--at least not legally," said the collector. "You
are refused rifle and ammunition permits, that is all."

"On the ground of being ivory hunters?"

"Suspected persons--not known to the government--something rather
stronger than rumor to your discredit, and nothing known in your favor."

"What recourse have we?" Fred demanded.

"Well--what proof can you offer that you are bona fide travelers or
intending settlers? Are you ivory hunters or not?"

"I'll answer that," said Fred--dexterously I thought, "when I've seen a
copy of the game laws. We're law-abiding men."

The collector handed us a well thumbed copy of the Red Book.

"They're all in that," he said. "I'll lend it to you, or you can buy
one almost anywhere in town. If you decide after reading that to go
farther up country I'm willing to issue provisional game licenses,
subject to confirmation after I've looked into any evidence you care to