"You—you have no right to—to do that!" she reminded breathlessly.
"Haven't I?"
"Don't stand there looking like a lion ready to spring. I—I won't have it! You promised——"
"That is humorous. When you ran away with Greyson were you keeping your promise? At least, you'll acquit me of making love to—another woman. I——" The door was thrown open violently and Nelson shouted:
"Get that girl off quick, Steve! We leave in five minutes." The last words died in the distance as he hurried along the corridor.
"Come!" Courtlandt commanded, and with a curious look up into his eyes Jerry preceded him from the compartment. As she stepped from the train she fell almost into her sister's arms.
"Peggy!" she gasped in astonishment.
"Where the dickens did you drop from, Peg-o'-my-heart? Why are you at Slippy Bend at this unholy hour?" Steve demanded peremptorily.
"Ye gods! Don't ask me why! For information apply to Ito. I only know that while I was walking the floor at the Double O, wild with anxiety, that Jap tragedian appeared and announced that he must see the excellent Mr. Benson. When I succeeded in convincing him that I couldn't produce the excellent Mr. Benson, he explained that he must take me to Slippy Bend to meet Mrs. Courtlandt, by order of his honorable master."
"His master!" Jerry and Courtlandt echoed in unison.