“Leaving?” questioned Zayata gently.

“Of course,” declared Margaret. “I really should not have stayed at all. I could not leave after I heard the truth about my uncle. But now — well, Henri, it would be a mistake for me to stay longer.”

“My dear girl,” said Zayata soothingly, “it would be impossible for you to leave at present! Surely you must like it here—”

“Of course I like it!” exclaimed Margaret. “It is wonderful — living in those beautiful rooms that you have given me. The hours we have talked together — they are wonderful, too.

“But — I have been wondering, Henri. Perhaps it would be best for me to go back — back with my uncle—”

“You cannot go back, at present,” said Zayata firmly. “There is no way—”

“But when Larkin comes—”

“Larkin will not be here for a long time.”

“Why?”

“I shall tell you,” began Zayata; then he paused as Chandra entered. The Burmese was carrying the slate that he had shown to Flash Donegan.