She was
glad, though, that he had not gone, and she hoped that Agapoulos
would not detain her long.
As a matter of fact, the Greek's manner was even more cold than
usual. He rested his hand upon her shoulder for a moment, and
meeting her glance reflected in the mirror:
"There will be a lot of money here to-night," he said. "Make the
best of your opportunities. Chinatown is foggy, yes--but it pays
better than Port Said."
He ran fat fingers carelessly through her hair, the big diamond
glittering effectively in the wavy gold, then turned and went
out. Sitting listening intently, Zahara could hear him talking
in a subdued voice to Safiyeh, and could detect the Egyptian's
low-spoken replies.
*****
Grantham looked up with a start. A new and subtle perfume had
added itself to that with which the air of the room was already
laden. He found Zahara standing beside him.
His glance travelled upward from a pair of absurdly tiny brocaded
shoes past slender white ankles to the embroidered edge of a
wonderful mandarin robe decorated with the figures of peacocks;
upward again to a little bejewelled hand which held the robe
confined about the slender figure of Zahara, and upward to where,
sideways upon a bare shoulder peeping impudently out from Chinese
embroidery, rested the half-mocking and half-serious face of the
girl.
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