He was not a prisoner, but he was paid a good price for his services and his silence; and he had no intention of playing an excellent friend and patron false.
"But is there nothing I can do?" Pansy asked, aghast at her own utter helplessness.
Edouard smiled, remembering the Sultan's concern for the beautiful captive girl.
"Yes; there's one thing," he replied in a soothing tone. "Don't worry about the matter just at present. But when you get to El-Ammeh use all your personal influence with the Sultan. In the meantime you can rest assured that no harm will happen to Sir George and his staff. Afterwards I rather fancy everything depends on you."
With this Pansy had to be content.
CHAPTER IX
In Bathhurst, the deputy Governor awaited news of Sir George Barclay. More than a month had passed since he had left the town, and during most of the time letters had come through regularly to official headquarters. The deputy knew that the furthermost point of the tour must now be about reached; but nearly a week had passed without any communication, official or otherwise, coming from the party. The fact was not alarming; the part Sir George must now be in was the wildest in the colony, and a week might easily pass without any message coming through.
But when another day or so passed without bringing any news, the deputy began to wonder what had happened.
"The letters must have gone astray," one of the officers remarked.