Ruhannah, laughing and flushed, withdrew her hands.
"Have I changed? You haven't. And I always thought you the most
wonderful and ornamental young man on this planet. I knew you at once,
Jim Neeland. Would you have passed without recognising me?"
"Perhaps I wouldn't have passed after seeing you----"
"Jim Neeland! What a remark!" She laughed. "Anyway, it's nice to
believe myself attractive enough to be noticed. And I'm so glad to
see you. Naïa is here, somewhere, watching for you"--turning her
pretty, eager head to search for the Princess Mistchenka. "Oh, there
she is! She doesn't see us----"
They made their way between the passing ranks of passengers and
porters; the Princess caught sight of them, came hastily toward them.
"Jim! It's nice to see you. Thank you for coming! So you, found him,
Rue? How are you, Jim? And where is the olive-wood box?"
"I'm well, and there's that devilish box!" he replied, laughing and
lifting it in his hand to exhibit it. "Naïa, the next time you want
it, send an escort of artillery and two battleships!"
"Did you have trouble?"
"Trouble? I had the time of my life. No moving picture can ever again
excite me; no best seller. I've been both since I had your cable to
get this box and bring it to you."
He laughed as he spoke, but the Princess continued to regard him very
seriously, and Rue Carew's smile came and waned like sunlight in a
wood, for she was not quite sure whether he had really encountered any
dangers on this mission which he had fulfilled so well.
"Our car is waiting outside," said the Princess. "Where is your
porter, Jim?"
Neeland glanced about him, discovered the porter, made a sign for him
to follow, and they moved together toward the entrance to the huge
terminal.
"I haven't decided where to stop yet," began Neeland, but the Princess
checked him with a pretty gesture: "You stop with us, Jim."
"Thank you so much, but----"
"Please. Must I beg of you?"
"Do you really wish it?"
"Certainly," she replied absently, glancing about her. She added: "I
don't see my car. I don't see my footman. I told him to wait here.
Rue, do you see him anywhere?"
"No, I don't," said the girl.
"How annoying!" said the Princess. "He's a new man. My own footman was
set upon and almost killed by Apaches a week ago. So I had to find a
substitute. How stupid of him! Where on earth can he be waiting?"