f I went to see her, can you?"

"I don't suppose she would. What will you say to her? It's a rum
idea." Freddy became meditative.

"I don't know, but whatever one arranges to say on such occasions is
just the thing one doesn't say. The atmosphere will suggest the
words--it always does with me. I've never yet said the things I
planned to say. Have you?"

"Scarcely ever, but it might be well to think things out." Freddy
disliked the idea of confiding family secrets to strangers. "When do
you think of going?"

"When you leave here, I can go straight to Cairo. It will be cooler
there. I don't know Cairo--don't forget, I've never seen even the
Pyramids."

"And when do you mean to go home? The season's getting on."

"I don't know. It all depends on what news I can gather, or if a
letter comes. I can easily stay in Cairo until I hear. You won't
object to that?"

"No. It's beastly hot here, by Jove!" Freddy poured himself out a
lemon-squash and drank it off. "I'm not sorry it's time to go home."

"I don't feel the heat very much--the nights keep pretty cool."

"You're looking fagged, all the same."

"Oh, I'm all right--it's anxiety that kills. If only I was certain
that he wasn't ill, Freddy!"

"I don't see why you should think Mike's ill. He's leading an awfully
healthy life. He's well accustomed to the desert. It's cooler with
him than it is here."

"I know, but it's a very strained life. I have a conviction that he's
ill. Whenever I think intently of him, I see him ill and suffering.
These things must have their meaning."

"I think we should have heard if he was ill. We got the other news
quick enough, didn't we!"

Meg frowned.

"It will be cooler in Cairo, but give me your word that you personally
won't do anything foolish in the way of looking for Michael, or going
off alone into the desert."

"No, I won't do anything foolish. That's not in my line, is it now? I
have some Lampton common sense."

"Not about some things."

Meg laughed. "Wait till you know what it is like, chum."

"Well, you'll not forget your other promise?"

Meg thought for a moment before answering and then she said
emphatically, "No, I won't forget my promise. I'm not in the least
afraid that I shall be tempted to break it."

"You have promised to go back to England if you find undeniable proof
that Michael and Millicent were together in the desert."

"Yes, I promise. I will go back to the old lif