Peter, however, was obdurate.

It was his pride to get his patron indoors each night.
"Let us go on," he said, and Linforth wearily rose to his feet.
"We are making a big mistake," he grumbled, and he spoke with more truth than he was aware.
They reached the hotel at eleven, ordered their supper and bathed.

It was half-past eleven before Linforth and Shere Ali entered the long dining-room, and they found another party already supping there.

Linforth heard himself greeted by name, and turned in surprise.

It was a party of four--two ladies and two men.