My shirt was torn where Coutlass had seized it to resist being thrown out, but I failed to see what she hoped to gain by that tongue lashing, even supposing we had been the lackeys she pretended to believe we were.
"The message is to my brother," she went on.
"I don't know him!" put in Monty promptly.
"You mean you don't like him! Your brother had him expelled from two or three clubs, and you prefer not to meet him! Nevertheless, I give you this message to take to him! Please tell him--you will find him at his old address--that I, his sister, Lady Saffren Waldon, know now the secret of Tippoo Tib's ivory.

He is to join me here at once, and we will get it, and sell it, and have money, and revenge! Will you tell him that!" "No!" answered Monty.
I looked at Yerkes, Yerkes looked at Fred, and Fred at me.
There was nothing to do but feel astonished.
"Why not, if you please ?" "I prefer not to meet Captain McCauley," said Monty.
"Then you will give the message to somebody else ?" she insisted.
"No" said Monty.

"I will carry no message for you." "Why do you say that?
How dare you say that?
In front of your following--your gang!" I should have been inclined to continue the argument myself--to try to find out what she did know, and to uncover her game.

It was obvious she must have some reason for her extraordinary request, and her more extraordinary way of making it.

But Monty saw fit to stride past her through his open bedroom door, and shut it behind him firmly.