n a thousand words from any other woman. He thought with exultation
that he had come upon one in a million--in ten millions! His whisper
became frankly entreating.

"That's good! Now all you've got to do is to make sure where he keeps
his swag. Only do be quick about it! I can't stand much longer this
crawling-on-the-stomach business so as not to scare your gentleman. What
do you think a fellow is--a reptile?"

She stared without seeing anyone, as a person in the night sits staring
and listening to deadly sounds, to evil incantations. And always in her
head there was that tension of the mind trying to get hold of something,
of a saving idea which seemed to be so near and could not be captured.
Suddenly she seized it. Yes--she had to get that man out of the
house. At that very moment, raised outside, not very near, but heard
distinctly, Heyst's voice uttered the words:

"Have you been looking out for me, Wang?"

It was for her like a flash of lightning framed in the darkness which
had beset her on all sides, showing a deadly precipice right under her
feet. With a convulsive movement she sat up straight, but had no power
to rise. Ricardo, on the contrary, was on his feet on the instant, as
noiseless as a cat. His yellow eyes gleamed, gliding here and there;
but he too seemed unable to make another movement. Only his moustaches
stirred visibly, like the feelers of some animal.

Wang's answer, "Ya tuan," was heard by the two in the room, but more
faintly. Then Heyst again:

"All right! You may bring the coffee in. Mem Putih out in the room yet?"

To this question Wang made no answer.

Ricardo's and the girl's eyes met, utterly without expression, all their
faculties being absorbed in listening for the first sound of Heyst's
footsteps, for any sound outside which would mean that Ricardo's retreat
was cut off. Both understood perfectly well that Wang must have gone
round the house, and that he was now at the back, making it impossible
for Ricardo to slip out unseen that way before Heyst came in at the
front.

A darkling shade settled on the face of the devoted secretary. Here was
the business utterly spoiled! It was the gloom of anger, and even of
apprehension. He would perhaps have made a dash for it through the back
door, if Heyst had not been heard ascending the front steps. He climbed
them slowly, very slowly, like a man who is discouraged or weary--or
simply thoughtful; and Ricardo had a mental vision of his fa