CHAPTER V.
CAPTAIN PERIWINKLE ENJOYS A PROLONGED HOLIDAY.
I was now ready; yes, ready! for I had forgotten nothing. The vehicle, however, was not yet brought up, and as I had nothing else to occupy my attention, I walked into the reception room to have one more look at the mirror. I felt much pleased with myself and my appearance, for I was no longer the Captain Periwinkle who came to Atazatlan about three months before, but the Periwinkle of five-and-twenty years ago. Yes, I had indeed changed. My head was now covered with a thick mass of black hair, and my dark-brown beard and moustache were more glossy than I ever knew them to be before, while my eyebrows and eyelashes were long and smooth. Nor was the change least noticeable in my figure, which had sensibly diminished. I was much thinner, and appeared taller. My muscles were no longer burdened with redundant fat, and I felt extremely active, just in good trim for dancing. Indeed, I felt so much
