And the queer thing about it is that the real owner is outlawed and cannot hold property, so that it belongs to the first comer.' "'To government, Small,' he stammered,--'to government.' But he said it in a halting fashion, and I knew in my heart that I had got him.
"'You think, then, sir, that I should give the information to the Governor-General ?' said I, quietly.
"'Well, well, you must not do anything rash, or that you might repent.
Let me hear all about it, Small.

Give me the facts.' "I told him the whole story, with small changes so that he could not identify the places.

When I had finished he stood stock still and full of thought.

I could see by the twitch of his lip that there was a struggle going on within him.
"'This is a very important matter, Small,' he said, at last.

'You must not say a word to any one about it, and I shall see you again soon.' "Two nights later he and his friend Captain Morstan came to my hut in the dead of the night with a lantern.
"'I want you just to let Captain Morstan hear that story from your own lips, Small,' said he.
"I repeated it as I had told it before.
"'It rings true, eh ?' said he.