sheet of paper, written probably on only one side--she hoped in English.
But how -

Suddenly she screamed, and Samson was all instant concern.

"Was that a snake? Tell me, was that a snake I saw. Oh, do look, please!
I loathe them."

"Probably a lizard."

"No, no, I know a lizard. Do please look!"

Unbelieving, he took a stick and poked about among the, flowers to
oblige her; so she read the message at her leisure behind the broad
of his back, and had folded it out of sight before he looked up.

"No snakes. Nothing but a lizard."

"Oh, I'm so glad! Please forgive me, but I dread snakes. Now tell
me the secrets while I listen properly."

He noticed a change in her voice--symptoms of new interest, and
passed it to the credit of himself.

"There's an intrigue going on, and you can help me. Sp--people whose
business it is to keep me informed have reported that Tom Tripe is
constantly carrying letters from the Princess Yasmini of Sialpore to that
young Prince Utirupa who was here this afternoon. Now, it's no secret
that if Gungadhura Singh were to get found out committing treason
(and I'm pretty sure he's guilty of it five days out of six!) we'd depose him--"