n, but this only accentuated the attractions of the
latter, of which there were two or three sense-stirring blooms.

For just an instant on the staircase, Bedient stood among the
punkah-blown palms to scan the faces below. Framtree was not there, but
Miss Mallory appeared in a discussion with an elderly gentleman, and
her usual animation was apparent. Bedient was struck with the fact that
he had been singularly remiss. In the thirty hours which had passed
since their parting, her likeness had not once entered his mind, and he
had offered to see that she was comfortably ensconced. Her eyes turned
to him now, but as quickly turned away. He had tried to bow.... And at
this moment, Bedient perceived the languid eye of the man at the desk,
cooling itself upon him. Crossing the tiles from the stairs toward this
gentleman, moreover, he was covered with glances from the guests, eyes
of swift, searching intensity. "How interested they are in a stranger,"
he thought. There was a sharpness of needles and acid in the air.

Low chimes from an indefinite source now struck the hour of eight. A
Chinese stepped up to the desk beside Bedient.

"You are dining with Senor Rey?" the manager inquired lazily.

Bedient nodded, and turned to greet Miss Mallory. She caught his eye
and intent, and promptly turned her back. For the first time, Bedient
felt himself a little inadequate to cope with the psychological
activities of this establishment. Reverting to the desk, the manager
appeared dazed and absent-minded as usual.

"The boy," he said, indicating the Chinese, "will show you to the
Shield Room."

Bedient trailed the soft-footed oriental through the bewildering hall,
until he saw Senor Rey standing in a doorway--and behind him a low-lit
arcanum of leather and metal.... The face of the Spaniard was
startling, like the discovery of a crime. It was lean and livid as a
cadaver. The pallor of the entire left cheek, including the corner of
the lips, had the shine of an old burn, the pores run together in a
sort of changeless glaze. In the haggard, bloodless face, eyes shone
with black brilliance. The teeth were whole and prominent, as was the
entire bony structure of the face and skull. Senor Rey had a tall,
attenuated figure, with military shoulders. He moved with great
difficulty, as if lacking control of his lower limbs, but in his hands
was the contrast--long, white, swift and perfectly preserved. The
scarred face and ruffled throat uni