There was no ignorance in him of any little town, or the least known of the Alps, which might betray the stranger.

He would never need to attract notice by asking a question.

He had become a member of an Alpine club as soon as his boyish thews and sinews were strong enough for stiff and perilous climbing.

He had crossed the most difficult passes and scaled some of the worst peaks.

And there had been within him that passionate love of the country common to the Swiss which an English Alpine climber can never feel.