I glanced at the others, but they were talking apart.
"Ottley sent me a message?" I asked, returning to the Doctor.
"Yes," replied Belleville between mouthfuls. He was gulping down his lunch like a wolf in a hurry. "He wants you," he went on.
"Needless to say I received no message."
"Needless?" repeated Belleville. "And you here?"
The tone was so insulting that I arose and walked quietly out of the tent. The sun was blazing hot. I thought of the cool cave temple and wandered towards it. Why not see Sir Robert at once? Why not, indeed. Two black sentinels guarded the middle pylon, skulking in the shadow of a column. When I approached they stood bolt upright. They were armed with rifles. They barred the way.
"Ottley!" I shouted. "Ottley!" and once again "Ottley!"
At the third the little baronet's face appeared in the stone doorway.
"Oh! Pinsent," he said, and stared at me. I read doubt in his glance, some fear and anger and uneasiness. But there was much else I could not read. His skin was as yellow as old parchment, and he did not look a well man by any means.