She was dressed in a lacy silk negligee, and took pains this time to appear gracious.
"I waited until I felt sure we should not be disturbed," she said, smiling.

"Won't you come and sit down ?" We brought our chairs to the table, she sitting at one end and we together at one side, Fred nearest her and I farthest away.

She made a sign toward the wine and sandwiches, and offered us cigarettes of a sort I had never seen.

Without feeling exactly like flies in a spider's web, we were nervous as schoolboys.
"What do you want with us ?" asked Will at last.
She laughed and took a cigarette.
"Don't let us talk too loud.

You three men are after the Tippoo Tib ivory.