“Yes, we’ve been prisoners here for a month. Charley, you lazy fellow, get up; these are friends.”
“Oh, are they?” said the little Turk, rising slowly. “Well, I’m jolly glad of it, for I’m sick of being here. Hallo, young Lawrence, I’ve often thought about you; how are you? Getting better? That’s right. See you are. How do, Preston? How do, Mr Burne? I say! Ha-ha-ha! You’re all in for it now.”
“For shame, Charley, to talk like that,” cried the lady. “Come up to the fire all of you. I am very glad to see you here.”
“Oh, you are, eh, madam?” said the old lawyer sharply, as he warmed his hands over the blaze.
“Well, I do not mean that,” said the lady; “but it is always pleasant to meet English people when you are far from home.”
Just then the robber chief nodded, said a few words to Yussuf, and the prisoners were left alone.