Meriem stopped short in her tracks, listening again, and sniffing--more
than ever the tigress; alert, ready. Beyond the bushes a naked
black runner squatted, peering through the foliage. He saw her
take a step closer to the letter. She had seen it. He rose quietly
and following the shadows of the bushes that ran down to the corral
was soon gone from sight.
Meriem's trained ears heard his every move. She made no attempt
to seek closer knowledge of his identity. Already she had guessed
that he was a messenger from the Hon. Morison. She stooped and
picked up the envelope. Tearing it open she easily read the contents
by the moon's brilliant light. It was, as she had guessed, from
Baynes.
"I cannot go without seeing you again," it read. "Come to the clearing
early tomorrow morning and say good-bye to me. Come alone."
There was a little more--words that made her heart beat faster and
a happy flush mount her cheek.
Chapter 20
It was still dark when the Hon. Morison Baynes set forth for the
trysting place. He insisted upon having a guide, saying that he
was not sure that he could find his way back to the little clearing.
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