Manchurian Books

It was on forbidden ground. You see,
there were doubts of every grade and class in the way of this adventure.
We went some way, nevertheless, in the discussion of his project, though
I think we tried his patience. Then suddenly he vanished from London,
and I saw no more of him for a year and a half.
My uncle said that was what he had expected, and when at last
Gordon-Nasmyth reappeared and mentioned in an incidental way that he
had been to Paraguay on private (and we guessed passionate) affairs,
the business of the "quap" expedition had to be begun again at the
beginning. My uncle was disposed to be altogether sceptical, but I
wasn't so decided. I think I was drawn by its picturesque aspects.
But we neither of us dreamt of touching it seriously until Capern's
discovery.
Nasmyth's story had laid hold of my imagination like one small, intense
picture of tropical sunshine hung on a wall of grey business affairs.
I kept it going during Gordon-Nasmyth's intermittent appearances in
England. Every now and then he and I would meet and reinforce its
effect.


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