“Two ladies to see me? Are you sure?” Travers Gladwin was both bewildered and embarrassed.
“Ees, sair!” Bateato assured him.
“Did you tell them that I was here?”
“They no ask. They say, ‘Please, Mr. Gladwin come to door!’”
“Well, you tell them Mr. Gladwin is not at home––that I’m out, away––in Egypt.”
“Ees, sair,” and Bateato was about to skim out into the hallway again when Barnes stopped him.
“Wait a minute, Bateato––what do they look like?”
“Look nice, sair,” and Bateato’s moon-like grin returned in full beam.
“You’re sure?” asked Barnes, gravely.
“Oh, fine,” uttered the Jap, enthusiastically.