"Character--Aureataland--army--at stake." "Set a thief to catch a thief, eh, major ?" said I.
"What do you mean, sir ?" he stuttered.

"Let me go." "If you move, I shoot, major," said I, bringing out my weapon.
I never saw greater astonishment on human countenance.

He swore loudly, and then cried: "Hi, stop him--he's mad--he's going to shoot!" A shout of laughter rose from the crew around us, for they felt exquisite appreciation of my supposed joke.
"Right you are, Martin!" cried one.

"Keep him quiet.

We won't go home till morning." The major turned to the window.