with an inexpressibly evil air of satisfaction
slipped through and scuttled in a zigzag course over the matting in
search of fresh prey.

It was then that Stella spoke, her voice no more than a throbbing
whisper. "Rustam Karin!" she said.

Very grimly across the gulf, Everard made answer. "Rustam Karin was
removed to a leper settlement before you set foot in India."

"By--Jupiter!" ejaculated Tommy.

No one else spoke till slowly, with the gesture of an old and stricken
woman, Stella turned away. "I must think," she said, in the same curious
vibrating whisper, as though she held converse with herself. "I
must--think."

No one attempted to detain her. It was as though an invisible barrier
cut her off from all but Peter. He followed her closely, forgetful of
his wound, forgetful of everything but her pressing need. With dumb
devotion he went after her, and they vanished beyond the flicker of the
bobbing lanterns.

Of the three men left, none moved or spoke for several difficult
seconds. Finally Bernard, with an abrupt gesture that seemed to express
exasperation, turned sharply on his heel and without a word re-entered
the room in which he had left Tessa asleep, and fastened the window
behind him. He left the tangle of beard on the matting, and Scooter
stopped and nosed it sensitively till Everard stooped and picked it up.

"That show being over," he remarked drily, "perhaps I may be allowed to
attend to business without further interference."

Tommy gave a great start and crunched some splinters of the shattered
glass under his heel. He looked at Everard with an odd, challenging
light in his eyes.

"If you ask me," he said bluntly, "I should say your business here is
more urgent than your business in the bazaar."

Everard raised his brows interrogatively, and as if he had asked a
question Tommy made sternly resolute response.

"I've got to have a talk with you. Shall I come into your room?"

Just for a second the elder man paused; then: "Are you sure that is the
wisest thing you can do?" he said.

"It's what I'm going to do," said Tommy firmly.

"All right." Everard stooped again, picked up the inquiring Scooter, and
dropped him into the box in which he had spent the evening.

Then without more words, he turned along the verandah and led the way to
his own room.

Tommy came close behind. He was trembling a little but his agitation
only seemed to make him more determined.

He paused a moment as he en