Chapter 11

"It wouldn't be accidental," Harry muttered.

Miss Marks looked from Harry to her retreating charge, her mouth falling open. "Beatrix, do not run through the hotel like that. Stop at once!"

"I think she has a plan," Poppy remarked. "You'd better go after her, Miss Marks."

The companion threw her a beseeching glance. "Come with me."

But Poppy didn't move, only said innocently, "I'll wait here, Miss Marks."

"But it's not proper—" The companion looked from Beatrix's fast-disappearing form to Poppy's unmoving one. Deciding in a flash that Beatrix posed the greater problem, she turned with an unladylike curse and ran after her charge.

Harry found himself left with Poppy, who, like her sister, seemed remarkably unperturbed by the macaque's antics. They faced each other, he with his foil, she with her parasol.