Terry did know it. Only men who had demonstrated unusual ability in their line had been sent to Moroland under Governor Mason. As the months went by the northern provinces were being stripped of their crack men for assignment to the southern experiment, so that detail there had become a mark of distinction. He had been as surprised as pleased at his summons from Sorsogon, a poor, colorless province where he had spent seven months in uneventful, and as he thought, inconspicuous service. The Major detected something of what was passing in his mind: "You were selected because of your understanding of native character, your sympathy with them: that, and your faculty for learning dialects. By the way, what is your method of studying these languages--your record of three dialects in half a year is remarkable." "There was little else to do--and I like to study them." The Major noted the slight flush of embarrassment. He reached into a drawer and pulled out a card, scanning it carefully before continuing: "Your qualification card indicates that you are an unusual pistol shot: it reads 'Pistol rating--two-handed expert, extraordinary in accuracy and rapidity.'" Disregarding Terry's increased embarrassment he pushed the question: "How did you acquire such skill?" "Well, as I had to carry a sidearm, I thought to make it useful--it is not much of an ornament. After I became really interested it cost me about fifty dollars a month for ammunition." "Well, things happen down here! Some day you may be glad you spent the money--your skill may come in handy!" "On--men?" It was the one aspect of the service from which Terry shrank. "Well, I hope not. It seldom comes to that. But a number of hard characters have been concentrating recently in the Davao Gulf, a batch of discharged convicts who served long terms for brigandage and murder. We have been watching them, but nothing significant transpired till last month." The muscles of his heavy jaw tightened as he went on: "You have heard of Malabanan, haven't you?" "The ladrone leader?" "Yes, he. He was released from Bilibid prison last summer and came through here last month. One of our operatives uncovered him on the boat--traveling as an ordinary steerage passenger. He went to Davao, and I fear it means trouble. I think he gathered that tough crew together to operate in Davao, thinking to test us out now that the Army is gone." His face was grim as he snapped: "Terry, watch him! And if he makes a single move--smash him! Make no false starts, do not arrest him unless you are sure that your evidence will convict in the courts. Give him plenty of rope--but if he breaks loose ... smash him hard! Understand?" Terry nodded quietly, but something in his competent face contented his chief. He repeated his warning against premature action: