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 warned him that this prim little matron could prove a Tartar.

"Have it your own way, then," he reflected. "Whatever else happens, I must keep in favour at court."

It amused him to think of what a secret she had robbed herself. On the other hand, he was chafing for a look inside Chao Phya's middle bell. Neither in sampan nor in gharri could he pass the word to Laura; and, hardly were they alighted at their hotel, when hateful strangers encountered them, and hailing the Holborows as old friends, carried them off in a victoria.

Owen, left alone once more, with directions to forward their trunks to the strangers house, watched that victoria depart, and found it, from twinkling wheels to jingling chains, from snowy turbans to polished hoofs, a needless and loathsome apparition.

His instructions, however, he followed