get the numbers—however, if you do, they'll tell you at the office. They're booked in your respective names."
"Do you mean that we've got to stay the night here?" demanded Madrasia.
"Precisely," replied Parslewe, in his most laconic manner. "Two, maybe."
"I haven't come prepared to stay any nights," said Madrasia. "I haven't brought even a toothbrush!"
"Buy one!" he retorted. "Excellent shops in the place, my dear."
Madrasia stared at him harder than ever.
"You're developing a very extraordinary habit of ordering people about, Jimmie!" she exclaimed at last. "Why all this insistence?"
"Needs must where the devil drives!" he answered with a cynical laugh.
"Are you the devil?" she asked.
"I don't know exactly what I am, my dear, since night before last," he replied, with a relapse into mildness. "But I'm hoping to know before long. And in the meantime, let's be comfortable—here's food and drink."
Two waiters came in with hot dishes; we sat down. I don't know if Parslewe had
