“He was no worse than other mortals,” said she.

“Thank you,” said Chase.  Then he turned to Lord Deppingham.  “My visit requires some explanation, Lord Deppingham.  You have said that I am unneighbourly.  No doubt you appreciate my reasons.  One has to respect appearances,” with a dry smile.  “When one is in doubt he must do as the Moslems do, especially if the Moslems don’t want him to do as he wants to do.”

“No doubt you’re right, but it sounds a bit involved,” murmured Deppingham.  “Now that you are here you must do as the Moslems don’t.  That’s our Golden Rule.  We’ll consider the visit explained, but not curtailed.  Lady Deppingham will be delighted to see you.  Are you ready to come in, Princess?”

They started toward the chateau, keeping well in the shade of the boxed trees, the Princess between the two men.

“I say, Chase, do you mind relieving my fears a bit?  With all due respect to your estimable clients, it occurs to me that they are likely to break over the traces at any moment, and raise the very old Harry at somebody else’s expense.  I’d like to know if my head is really safe.  Since your experience the other night, I’m a bit apprehensive.”

“I came to see you in regard to that very thing, Lord Deppingham.  I don’t want to alarm you, but I do not like the appearance of things.  They don’t trust me and they hate you—­quite naturally.  I’m rather sorry that our British man-of-war is out of reach.  Pray, don’t be alarmed, Princess.  It is most improbable that anything evil will happen.  And, in any event, we can hold out against them until relief comes.”

“We?” demanded Deppingham.

“Certainly.  If it comes to an assault of any kind upon the chateau, I trust that I may be considered as one of you.  I won’t serve assassins and bandits—­at least, not after they’ve got beyond my control.  Besides, if the worst should come, they won’t discriminate in my favour.”

“Why do you stay here, Mr. Chase?” asked the Princess.  “You admit that they do not like you or trust you.  Why do you stay?”

“I came out here to escape certain consequences,” said he candidly.  “I’ll stay to enjoy the uncertain ones.  I am not in the least alarmed on my own account.  The object of my visit, Lord Deppingham, is to ask you to be on your guard up here.  After the next steamer arrives, and they learn that Sir John will not withdraw me in submission to Rasula’s demand, with the additional news that your solicitors have filed injunctions and have begun a bitter contest that may tie up the estate for years—­then, I say, we may have trouble.  It is best that you should know what to expect.  I am not a traitor to my cause, in telling you this; it is no more than I would expect from you were the conditions reversed.  Moreover, I do not forget that you gave me the man-of-war opportunity.  That was rather good fun.”

“It’s mighty decent in you, Chase, to put us on our guard.  Would you mind talking it over with Browne and me after luncheon?  You’ll stay to luncheon, of course?”