Page:Biggers and Ritchie - Inside the Lines.djvu/302

 "What is all this?" Woodhouse began. "I was called on the telephone."

"A call I had inspired, Cap-tain. It was necessary to see you—at once and alone."

"Tactless! With the general suspecting me—you heard what that woman from America said at the table—she has eyes in her head!"

"I think he still trusts you, Cap-tain," the Indian replied. "And to-night we must act. The fleet sails at noon to-morrow."

"We?" Woodhouse was on his guard at once. "What do you mean by 'we'?"

Jaimihr Khan smiled at the evasion.

"Yesterday in this room. Cap-tain, I burned a roll of plans"

"Which I had good reason to wish saved," Woodhouse caught him up.

"No matter; I burned them—at a moment when you were—in great peril, Cap-tain."

"Burned them, yes—perhaps to trap me further."

The Indian made a gesture of impatience. "Oh, excellent discretion!" he cried in suppressed exasperation. "But we waste time that is precious. To-night"

"Before another word is spoken, let me have