No woman pleading at the bar of justice could have seemed more in earnest.

Of one thing I was quite sure: she had found it worth her while to convince us if that were possible.

She was playing no half-hearted game.
"Do you begin to see now why the Germans are so set on finding Tippoo Tib's hoard of ivory?
Do you begin to understand why they are determined, not only to prevent your finding it, but to learn your secret?
If rumor is one-half true, the Arab buried somewhere enough ivory to finance this plan of theirs! They have been going about the search systematically, and sooner or later they feel they must stumble on it.

They will not let you forestall them!" She paused again.

Her very earnestness exhausted her more than the walk through the dark in danger had done.
"Take your time," Fred advised her.