Fielding turned in his saddle. “Seven’s the hour,” he said, and rode on.
“Thanks, you fellows,” said the Lost One, and walked swiftly away.
As they rode to the Amenhotep Dicky did not speak, but once he turned round to look after the outcast, who was shambling along the bank of the canal.
When Fielding and Dicky reached the deck of the Amenhotep, and Mahommed Seti had brought refreshment, Dicky said: “What did he do?”
Fielding’s voice was constrained and hard: “Cheated at cards.”
Dicky’s lips tightened. “Where?”
“At Hong Kong.”
“Officer?”
“In the Buffs.”
Dicky drew a long breath. “He’s paid the piper.”