"Don't stand there like that!" he said, his voice rough with contempt. "It can't be helped, and I dare say we shan't any of us be much better off by to-morrow. I have a patrol outside waiting to take the ladies over to my bungalow. Mrs. Cary and Mrs. Berry are already there. There isn't a moment to be lost. Rouse yourself and look to Lois. I will escort Miss Cary." He turned to Beatrice with a stiff bow. "The enemy must at least find us united."
"The enemy!" exclaimed Beatrice sharply.
"The Rajah is our enemy," was the bitter answer. "You and Travers best know why."
The two women exchanged one brief glance. Lois crossed the intervening space and took her husband's arm.
"Archibald," she said, slowly and emphatically, "if this trouble has anything to do with the mine, it would be well to let the Rajah know that we also take our share. There must be no suspicion that—that we have not acted honorably or have shirked our responsibilities."
He stared at her with dull, listless eyes.
"What do you mean, Lois? He knows I haven't a brass cent."
"But I have. And of course my money must go to refund those whom you have unintentionally ruined."
That roused him. He flung her on one side, with a desperate, goaded curse.
"Your money! How dare you! It's not your money. Half of it is mine. I settled it on you."