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 before this. He may be here at any moment. Go on, talk on, madman; I am listening.”

Inscrutable was the smile that played round his eyes, that curled his lip ever so slightly. Had his insanity then gifted him with super- intelligence? Could he read the thought, the hope that was playing at the back of her mind?

“You have not answered my question, Irene.”

“Your question?” she echoed weakly.

TAMER

His look of supreme craftiness did not escapeher. But she must dally with him. Who could tell at what tangent his mind would shoot off? In his wandering lay her only hope of salvation. This mad brain was athrob with an abiding grievance. There could be no doubt of the part she had to play.

Yet she did not ask the nature of that ques- tion.

“Tell me of your travels in Arabia,” she said.

For a moment he seemed to gaze blankly into space. Clearly his mind was shooting off now; and every moment was precious, more precious than all the riches of the world. But almost

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