“Will the Lama be there?”
“Possibly.”
“Tell me what you know of Samding.”
“Did you read the note?” asked the sirdar, again meeting Ommony’s stare. “I have a message for you from Miss Sanburn at the Tilgaun Mission. She entertained me the night I left Tilgaun. I admitted to her it was possible I might meet you somewhere. She asked me to convey affectionate regards and to say that she would appreciate notice of exactly when she may expect you.”
Ommony turned that over in his mind for half a minute. He could imagine no legitimate reason why Hannah Sanburn should ask for notice in advance. As a trustee it was his duty to pay surprise visits. Mrs. Cornock-Campbell’s story of a girl named Elsa of whose very existence he had never previously heard, was a perfectly good reason for paying his next visit unannounced.
“When will you be seeing Miss Sanburn again?” he asked.
“Oh, quite soon.”
“Will it be necessary to admit to her that you have seen me?”
“Just as you like.”
“Please don’t admit it then.”