"I see you are too hot-headed to be reasoned with.
But it makes little difference! Fever--animals--climate--sun--flood--accident--natives--there are excuses in plenty--explanations by the dozen! I will say good night, then--and good-by!" "Yes, good-by!" growled Will, facing her with his back to the stairs.
"You take us for men with a price, do you ?" "All men have a price," she smiled bitterly.

"Only it is no use offering flowers to pigs! We must treat pigs another way--pigs, and young fools! And fools old enough to know better!" she added with a nod toward Fred, who bowed to her in mock abasement--too politely, I thought.
Will got out of her way and she went up-stairs with the manner of an empress taking leave of subjects.

Fred swept her food and wine from the table and stowed it in a corner, and we sat down at the table again.
"The whole thing's getting ridiculous." he said.
"Why don't we hunt up some official in the morning," I proposed, "and simply expose her ?" "No use," said Will.

"She never followed us up here and tried that game without being sure of her pull.

Besides--what kind of a tale could we tell without letting on we're after the ivory?
I vote we see the game through to a finish." "Good!" said Fred.