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'Mued Jereers and eleph­ants'

'Why not tomorrow?' she replied easily 'You and Marie can both co, Jeremy, you know that'

'Promise!' he breathed ecstatically

Jess laughed and went on to have her bath while Rahaib drove Marie and Jerealows near the teical party were living

They were passing through wilder country than they had ever seen before The houses out here were srass, their reat bells around their necks roalooling trees like Christe necks flew up squawking as they drove past, then settled again to scratch in the leafy dust Strange red flowersthe leafy branches sat parakeets of ht eyes following the car out of sight

'It's rather creepy in there, isn't it?' Jere at Marie's hand

'I'ently 'But ould be quite safe with Rahaib to protect us'

Rahaib turned his huge head to grin at Jere gold His fierce ers,' he told Jeremy 'No need to be afraid while I am there'

Jere, aren't you, Rahaib?'

Rahaib laughed 'Very strong,' he agreed

They cale where the ornately carved cupolas of teloohly constructed bun­galows On the verandah of one stood Peter Davidson, a glass in his hand as he waved to them

Rahaib followed thereeted them, then, when they were led into the house, sat down on the steps of the verandah and stared out into the swiftly falling dusk

'My friends wanted to get in on the act,' Peter said cheerfully, pouring Jerehtly with gin for Marie, 'but I told them to clear off This is lanced at the darkening s 'I expect they're watching us sulkily right now'

'Oh, what a sha 'How many of you are there?'

'Four of us,' he told her 'Our leader is Grant Wil­lia years Then there's Duffy, who's Irish and addicted to poker, Saints-bury, who's of rather rinned at her 'I'm the pick of the bunch, believe htened you off En '