Besides, we're using up these fellows' hospitality."
"We'll get everything in order to-night," Laura decided, "and start first
thing to-morrow."
They busied themselves for the next hour or two in making preparations.
After their evening meal, the two men walked with Lenora and Laura to
their tent.
"I think you girls had better go to bed," Quest suggested. "Try and get a
long night's sleep."
"That's all very well," French remarked, "but it's only eight o'clock.
What about a stroll, Miss Laura, just up to the ridge?"
Laura hesitated for a moment and glanced towards Lenora.
"Please go," the latter begged. "I really don't feel like going to sleep
just yet."
"I'll look after Lenora," Quest promised. "You have your walk. There's the
Professor sitting outside his tent. Wouldn't you like to take him with
you?"
Laura glanced indignantly at him as they strolled out, and Lenora laughed
softly.
"How dared you suggest such a thing!" she murmured to Quest. "Do look at
them. The Inspector wants her to take his watch, and she can't quite make
up her mind about it. Why, Laura's getting positively frivolous."
"Guess we'd better not watch them any longer," Quest decided. "What about
a game of bezique?"
"I should love it!" Lenora assented. "You'll find the cards in that
satchel."
They sat and played for half an hour by the light of a lantern. Suddenly
Quest paused in the act of dealing and glanced over his shoulder.
"What the mischief was that?" he muttered.
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