"Yes, sir and Excellency," said the miserable Bones.
"And I said that I thought it inadvisable, because of the trouble in the bend of the Isisi River."
"Yes, Excellency and sir," agreed Bones dolefully.
"And then you stared."
"Did I, dear old—Did I, sir?"
His embarrassment was relieved by the arrival of Ali. So buoyant a soul had Bones, that from the deeps of despair into which he was beginning to sink he rose to heights of confidence, not to say self-assurance, that were positively staggering.
"Miss Patricia, ladies and gentlemen," said Bones briskly, "we have here Ali Abid, confidential servant and faithful retainer. I will now endeavour to demonstrate the power of the human eye."
He met the stolid gaze of Ali and stared. He stared terribly and alarmingly, and Ali, to do him justice, stared back.
"Close your eyes," commanded Bones. "You can't open them, can you?"
"Sir," said Ali, "optics of subject are hermetically sealed."