"Don’t stand talking. Run at once, or they may gone." "No fear! My savvy littee missy no can wailo ’cept—" "Go at once!" shouted Bob, and the Chinaman fled. About an hour later Bob, clad in a Japanese uniform, which left a good deal to be desired about the sleeves and the trousers, was conducted by Ah-Sam to the missionary’s house in which the ladies had been hospitably lodged. "My dear boy, how glad I am to see you!" exclaimed Mrs. Pottle, coming forward with outstretched hands. "We were afraid that you had not escaped from that dreadful brigand. If I had not had Ethel to take care of, I should certainly have ridden back myself—even with nothing but my umbrella that you make fun of." Bob, from his knowledge of Mrs. Pottle, felt that the fair American was quite equal to that or any other hazardous adventure. "I am glad indeed there was no occasion," he said. "I wouldn’t have you come within fifty miles of that desperate gang." "That would have been no worse, not a bit, for I haven’t slept a wink worrying about you, neither has Ethel; indeed, the dear child has lost all her colour, as you see." Bob looked at the younger lady, but found that her cheeks were warm with a charming little blush, which deepened as she avoided his glance. "Oh, Aunt Jane," she said, "you really shouldn’t exaggerate—I—" "There now! I’ve done it again. I am always putting my foot in it. But all’s well that ends well. You’re here safe—but dear me, poor boy, you’ve lost your colour. We shall have to take care of you, I can see that." "Oh, it’s nothing," said Bob; "a rap over the head, that’s all. I shall be right in a day or two." "But you will let us do what we can," said Ethel. "We owe you so much, Mr. Fawcett, and there is so little that we can do." Bob looked, as he felt, rather uncomfortable. Mrs. Pottle noted the fact. "Don’t go, Mr. Fawcett," she said with a smile. "There, I promise, you sha’n’t hear another word of thanks. I knew it: you look quite relieved already." Bob laughed, and the ladies joined him, while Ah-Sam looked on gravely, in evident wonder at what had caused the merriment. "Can I do anything to help you on your way?" asked Bob. "I’m afraid I shall soon have to say good-bye." The ladies looked at him in surprise. "But are you not going to Seoul?" asked Mrs. Pottle. "Not yet, I’m sorry to say. I have something yet to do." "We are not in a hurry. We could quite well wait a day or two." "It is not a matter of days, unfortunately. It may be weeks or even months." "You are not going back?" said Ethel, vainly endeavouring to conceal her anxiety. Bob afterwards remembered that there was a tremor in her voice. "Yes," he said, "I am going north again. General Kuroki thinks I can be of some use to him, and afterwards—well, I have to find my friend Kobo."