Getting a grip on herself, she kept up the semblance of dreaming. In reality she was very much alert, quite alive—watching.
Nor did she watch in vain.
As she watched, fascinated, waiting for she knew not what, ready on the instant to go dashing away, she saw the banana leaves stir, move to one side, then fall back into their original position.
Every muscle in her splendid body was tense now. Had she caught a glimpse of a face? She believed so.
“And yet, one is so easily deceived.”
She should leave the place. This was plain enough; yet stubbornly she stayed.
She watched the darting rocket cars as they flashed across the sky, followed the course of an airplane by its spark of light, allowed her mind to wander for an instant to Jeanne and her problems. But all the time she was thinking, “I must be on my guard.”
With all this, when at last the banana leaves parted and a form crept out, she was surprised beyond measure. She recognized the person on the instant. The very stealth of his movements gave him away. It was the long-eared Chinaman.
She gasped. “Has he seen me?
“If he has, he’s playing a game.” He did not look her way.