Facing him, in the middle of the room, with her back to Guelvada, was Aurora Francis. He thought that her back view was superb. She wore a pink lace negligée, lined with pink georgette, with wide flowing sleeves caught at the wrists with blue velvet ribbons.
Guelvada thought he would like to take a very long look at Aurora Francis. He thought that if her front view was as good as that from the back she must be very, very good.
She said to the man facing her, in French: "M'sieu, I am extremely sorry, but I have no authority to negotiate with you. I regret this very much. I can do nothing until the arrival of Captain Kiernan."
He shrugged his shoulders. "I am sorry, madame, but my instructions are explicit. A large sum of money has been placed to the credit of Captain Kiernan, as arranged
