"Ram Singh," she ordered absently, "the _Sahib's_ rifle must be filled with sand. See that it is cleaned. Take him to the store tent where he can wash the sand from his eyes. Will you come back here, Captain Gray? I would like ever so much to talk to you." While Gray washed gratefully, and while the natives brushed his coat and shoes, his mind was on the girl of the _yurt_. He told himself savagely that he did not desire to be sympathized with. Like a woman, he thought, she had taken pity on his discomfort. Of course, she had to treat him decently, before the natives. In this, he was more right than wrong. CHAPTER XI SIR LIONEL When Gray returned to the _yurt_, he found the table set with silver and china containing a substantial amount of curried rice, mutton and tea. This reminded him that he was ravenous, since he had not eaten for twenty-four hours. He did not notice that the girl's hair appeared adjusted more to a nicety, or that she had exchanged the shawl for the jacket of her dress. "You like your tea strong?" she asked politely. In spite of his hunger, Gray felt awkward as he ate sparingly of the food under her cool gaze. She was non-committally attentive to his wants. He wished that she would say something more or that Ram Singh would cease glaring at the back of his neck like a hawk ready to pounce on its prey. The food, however, refreshed him. His curiosity concerning his hostess grew. He had seen no other white man in the camp. It was hardly possible that the Englishwoman had come alone to the Gobi. Whither was she bound? And why did she reside in a Kirghiz _yurt_ when the caravan was outfitted with European luxuries? When the natives had removed the plates, he took out his pipe from force of habit, and felt for matches. Then he reflected that he should not smoke in the woman's tent. He would have liked to thank her for her hospitality, to assure her of his regret for the tactics of Mirai Khan, to ask her some of the questions that were in his mind. Especially, if she were really alone in the desert. But while he fumbled for words, she spoke quickly. "I've never taken a prisoner before, Captain Gray. A white man, that is. I believe the correct thing to do is to question you. That fits in most nicely, because I am unusually curious by nature." He had pulled out a match which he struck absently, then extinguished it. She noted the action silently. "You are an army officer?" "In the reserve. Acting independently, now, of course." "Acting?" She smiled lightly and held out something to him. "So you are a big game hunter? I did not know this was good country for that sort of thing." "It isn't," he acknowledged bluntly. "That is--not in the ordinary sense. But I have already some trophies bagged. Mirai Khan is my guide----" "Please do smoke," she said, and he saw that what she offered him was a box of matches. One of the servants struck a light.