Page:Waylaid by Wireless - Balmer - 1909.djvu/199

Rh wishes to take you," Mrs. Varris returned, smiling. "I was thinking myself, Mr. Preston," she turned to their young friend, "that Ethel and I ought to go down there with you before going to the hotel—it seems so like deserting you to let you go and face those English alone, although the message from the Bahia can only clear you. But since this man thinks there may be a long delay, perhaps I had better go to the inn first. Yet if Ethel wishes to go now, I certainly see no objection."

"Thank you, Mrs. Varris!" young Preston acknowledged warmly, without daring to glance at the girl.

"You'll bring her back to me at once and come and tell me who the real Manling is, as soon as you're clear, won't you?" Mrs. Varris added.

She held out her hand and received Preston's grasp. The Englishman, too, extended his hand clumsily before he followed her to the 'bus.

"And, I say, really I hope you can come up 177