"Is the killing of a mongoose--no matter by whom--so serious a thing as all that ?" His companion smoked on quietly for quite another few minutes before he spoke.
"When I have properly thought it over I may moderate my opinion, but in the meantime it seems to me that there is something dreadful behind all this--something that may affect all our lives--that may mean the issue of life or death to any of us." Adam sat up quickly.
"Do tell me, sir, what is in your mind--if, of course, you have no objection, or do not think it better to withhold it." "I have no objection, Adam--in fact, if I had, I should have to overcome it.

I fear there can be no more reserved thoughts between us." "Indeed, sir, that sounds serious, worse than serious!" "Adam, I greatly fear that the time has come for us--for you and me, at all events--to speak out plainly to one another.

Does not there seem something very mysterious about this ?" "I have thought so, sir, all along.

The only difficulty one has is what one is to think and where to begin." "Let us begin with what you have told me.

First take the conduct of the mongoose.