“No—Don’t send him away!” She shook her head with decision.
“Well, I’m glad you like him. I fancy he’s going to be pretty useful to us later on.”
He got up and strolled over to the man, and Eleanor More watched the two figures side by side—the tall, well-built American and the thin little figure of steel in its swelling, puffed-out garments.
Presently they moved along the deck and passed out of sight. When they reappeared, at the other end of the boat, Eleanor was lying half-asleep, her eyes closed and her face very quiet.
She opened her eyes, as they came up.
The oblique gaze was looking down on her out of an impassive face. She smiled dreamily.... Now she understood. The man was journeying too.
“This is Kou Ying,” said Richard casually.
The Oriental made a gesture of service... and the pine-tree danced hazily before Eleanor’s eyes. She smiled a little.
“You are going with us?” she asked.
The stolid face had not changed. But something, far back in the eyes, responded to the smile.