Obediently Zoe gathered together various odds and ends of clothing, one or two of Eirene’s hair-brushes, deprived of their silver backs, and such other trifles as the cupidity or ingenuity of the brigands saw no use for. Her note-books and writing materials, the contents of her travelling workbox, and the little “first-aid” case on which she prided herself, had all been seized upon as valuable spoils, and she found herself as destitute as the most heedless traveller could deserve to be. Eirene, brooding sullenly over her wrongs, gave her no help in her search, and she rolled up the poor remains of their joint possessions into a bundle and tied it round with a broken umbrella-strap. This was only done just in time, for the brigands, their delightful task accomplished with a good deal of squabbling and murmuring against the decisions of the chief, had leisure to think of their prisoners. Accompanied by two others leading the horses which had been taken from the carriage, the interpreter came towards them.
“Behold! we beneficent beings,” he observed genially. “We furnish even horses zat ze women may ride.”
“I fancied we provided the horses,” murmured Maurice, from his seat on the ground.
“I won’t ride,” said Zoe quickly. “Maurice must. He can’t walk.”
“Nonsense! I can walk perfectly well,” said Maurice.
“For goodness’ sake do what they tell you,” said Wylie anxiously. “It’s only for one night.”
“Your eyes most be blinded,” pursued the interpreter. Zoe gasped.
“He means blindfolded,” explained Maurice, as the man produced the dirtiest handkerchief any of the captives had ever seen.
“Oh no, no!” entreated Zoe, breaking down at last. “Why, they might take us and you in different directions, and we should never know. I’ll shut my eyes—anything, but don’t let us be blindfolded. Do speak to them,” she begged of Wylie. “They listen to you.”
“Pull yourself together,” he said sternly. “I should never have suspected you of being hysterical.” The accusation told, and Zoe, with both hands pressed to her chest, fought down the threatening sobs. Wylie turned to the interpreter. “Look here,” he said, “the ladies are frightened. If they think they are to be separated from their brother they will give you a lot of trouble. Why should you blindfold them? If you lead the horses they can’t possibly escape.”