"That I will never believe."
"God grant you may never have reason to think otherwise. But don't worry yourself about Murkard. He is and always has been my truest friend."
"And what am I, my lord and master?"
"You are my wife—part of myself!"
She nestled lovingly against his side.
"Part of yourself! How sweet that sounds! I wonder if any other woman was ever so happy as I?"
Once more Ellison sighed. At that moment the lightning flashed out again, just in time to show them the same mysterious figure emerging from the group of palms and moving towards the hut, Esther saw it, and gave another little cry. Ellison rose.
"I must go and find out what he means by it. Don't be afraid, I'll be back in a minute."
As he left the veranda the storm broke, and the rain came pouring down. Presently he was running back. For a moment he could hardly speak. His face was as pale as death.
"Well, what did he say?"