here and there as if the writer had obeyed inspiration first and consulted
a dictionary afterward--a neat letter, even neat in its mistakes.

"Most precious friend," it ran, "please visit me. It is necessary that
you find some way of avoi--elu--tricking the guards, because there
are orders not to admit any one and not to let me out. Please bring
with you food from your house, because I am hungry. A cat and
two birds and a monkey have died from the food cooked for me.
I am also thirsty. My mother taught me to drink wine, but the wine is
finished, and I like water the best. Tom Tripe will try to help you past
the guards, but he has no brains, so you must give him orders.
He is very faithful. Please come soon, and bring a very large
quantity of water. Yours with love, YASMINI."

He read the letter and passed it back.

"D'you think it's on the level, Tess?"

"I know it is! Imagine that poor child, Dick, cooped up in a palace,
starving and parching herself for fear of poison!"

"But how are you going to get to her? You can't bowl over Gungadhura's
guards with a sunshade."

"Samson wrote this for me."

Dick Blaine scowled.

"I imagine Samson's favors are paid for sooner or later."