He sank back with a sense of great comfort, holding her hand fast in his. It made the darkness less dark to hold her so.
"I want to know what happened," he said. "Sit down and tell me!"
"And you will try to keep quiet," she urged gently.
"Yes—yes! But don't keep anything back! Tell me everything!"
"I will, dear," she said, "though really there isn't much to tell. Is that quite comfy? You're not in bad pain?"
"I can bear it," he said. "Go on! Let's hear!"
So, sitting by his side, her hand in his, Olga told him.
The plot had been of Kobad Shikan's devising. Nick had been on the watch for it for some time, had penetrated the city nightly in the garb of a moonstone-seller, collecting evidence, and—most masterly stroke of all—he had drawn the Rajah into partnership with him. It was due to Nick's influence alone that the Rajah had not been caught in Kobad Shikan's toils. Thanks to Nick's steady call upon his loyalty, he had remained staunch. But Kobad Shikan had been too powerful a tactician to overthrow openly. They had been forced to work against him in secret.
"The Rajah calls Nick his brother," said Olga.
"Like his cheek!" said Noel. "Not that I can talk myself. I took the liberty of kicking him off his own premises once." He chuckled involuntarily at the recollection and commanded her to continue.