There's no occasion for you to go against her ladyship's wishes.' Harris touched his helmet to Lady Bridget and, leering with veiled enmity, replied: 'I'm never one to put myself up against the ladies, except where my duty comes first--and that's not the case--yet.

But as I was saying, with my respects, my lady, Mr McKeith knows very well how to treat the blacks.

He knows that you've got to keep your word to them, whether that means a plug of tobacco or a plug of cold iron.' Lady Bridget drew back and looked at Harris for a second or two with an expression of the most withering haughtiness.

Then, without a word she turned her back on him.

The inspector infuriated, muttered in his throat.