Page:Henry rideout--The siamese cat.djvu/89

 "Did you notice the thief?" asked the girl. "It was the same native we saw lurking behind that wall—Our guide was right, wasn't he? Chao Phya was too good for us to keep long."

It was a tedious time before footsteps crunched without on the heap of powdered masonry. Scarlett and the girl sprang to the entrance. Red as with apoplexy, smiling, flourishing his big tamarind stick in triumph, up marched Borkman, with the cat clasped to his ample breast.

They applauded, but he bore his honours meekly.

"My word!" he puffed, "that chap could run! Yes, Miss, he's safe and sound, not a scratch."

"But you're not," exclaimed Laura. As he restored Chao Phya to her shoulder, the palm of his left hand showed raw and bleeding.