"That's what we—are trying to find out," she replied, her words accompanied by a glance of simple, half-fearful helplessness.
The man checked the reply which promptly rose to his lips. He remembered in time that this girl was the daughter of Mallinsbee and that she was exceedingly pretty. To the former he had no desire to give anything away, while to the latter he desired to display every courtesy.
"Our guards seem to be on the alert, and—somebody is approaching," said the millionaire, with a baffling smile. "If it weren't such a peaceful spot I'd say there was an atmosphere of—trouble."
"I—I sort of feel that way, too," said Hazel in a scared manner. She had gathered all her histrionic abilities together, and intended to use them. "I wonder what trouble it is?"
"Seems as if it was for the men who—took us," observed Carbhoy, with a dryness he could not quite disguise.
"You—mean our folks have located our whereabouts and—are going to rescue us?"
The millionaire smiled into the innocent, questioning eyes, which, he knew, concealed a humorous guile.
"I didn't just mean that," he said. "Maybe the trouble won't come yet." He glanced at the Chinaman standing sphinx-like at the curtains. "Must he remain?" he said, appealing directly to the girl.
Hazel felt the necessity for a bold move.
"Don't let him worry you. We can't help ourselves. I dare not risk offending him." She conjured a well-feigned shudder.