In a bevy of women Thorndyke noticed Bernardino. She gave him a quick, sympathetic glance of recognition and then looked down discreetly. Presently she left the others and moved on till she had disappeared behind a great carved wine-cistern which stood on the backs of four crouching golden leopards in a retired part of the room. Something in her sudden movement made the Englishman think she wanted to speak to him, and he went to her. He was not mistaken, for she smiled as he approached.
“I am glad,” she whispered, touching his arm impulsively, and then quickly removing her hand as if afraid of detection.
“Glad of what?” he asked.
“Glad that you stood that—that torture so well; several men have died in that chair and some went mad.”
“I remembered your advice; that saved me.”
“I have a plan for us to try to rescue your friend.”
“Ah, I had forgotten him! what is it?”
“Captain Tradmos likes you and has consented to aid us. We shall need an air-ship and he has one at his disposal which is used only for governmental purposes.”
“What do you want with the air-ship?”
“To go beyond and over the great wall.”