Before the train left Elliott cabled again to Henninger, this time using the usual code for abbreviation’s sake:
“Found what we wanted. Am coming with Bennett. Have expedition ready at Delagoa Bay, not Zanzibar. Buy arms. Wire American Line, New York.”
He also telegraphed to New York for berths on the Southampton steamer sailing on the eighth day from that time. He reserved three berths, though he was resolved that only two should be used. “She may as well come on to Chicago,” he reflected, “or even to New York. The East is a better place than the West to leave her.” But somewhere on the cross-continent journey he intended to convince her of the folly of her resolution.
But somehow he did not feel equal to the endeavour at present, so he established Margaret comfortably in a chair-car, and went to smoke with Bennett.
“This is a nice state of things,” he said, biting a cigar irritably in two. “Why didn’t you back me up? I thought you were against having women in a man’s game.”
“So I am,” replied Bennett, who did not appear dissatisfied. “But I never argue with a woman when she’s made up her mind. Give her time and she’ll change it herself. Miss Laurie will give us the map all right, and if she won’t—”
“Then she’ll have to go with us.”
“No. We can take it”
“Take it? Do you mean by force?”
“Yes, if necessary. Of course we’ll give her a square divvy.”