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'We've got to get back to England and get married before I lose all rimly

'I can't leave Jess without anyone to look after Jeremy,' she protested; 'He needs const

ant care'

'We'll fly so the problem aside 'That woirl arrives After all, she's been looking after the child while you were away' He looked at her gently 'Jess was very wor­ried about you, you know She was intent on blaht that if she'd never brought you out here it wouldn't have happened, which, in a way, I suppose, is true'

'Poor Jess,' she said 'We ood news'

'I think the King wants to ask you some questions first,' he told her 'They want to try to catch these daive them will help'

'But I don't know anything,' she protested She knew that she did not want to help to catch the young men who had held her prisoner They had treated her with comparative kindness Even their threat to kill her had been a muted one

'You saw them, didn't you? You saw their faces?'

She shrugged 'Only in a very diain They were just ordinary young Indians'

Stonor stared down at her, his brows drawn together in a frown 'Marie, are you trying to protect them? Be­cause if you are, let me remind you that the next person they kidnap et aith this, you know'

'I' which could help'

Then Stonor walked to the door and opened it There was a slight pause as he spoke to the sentry outside, then he came back to join her

'Better sit down,' he said 'This will take some time'

'I'ry Can't it wait?'

The King came hurriedly into the room He smiled at them both in a friendly fashion