The statement was news to him and if true provided a natural explanation of some of his chief perplexities.
"Let me understand that!" and there was a change in his voice which Thresk was quick to detect.

There was less hostility.
"Certainly," Thresk answered.

"I left the tent just before eleven to catch the Bombay mail.

I was returning direct to England.

The reason why Ballantyne asked me to take the photograph of Bahadur Salak was that since I was going on board straight from the train it could be no danger to me." "Then why didn't you go straight on board ?" asked Pettifer.
"I'll tell you," Thresk replied.