ted to form in Bedient's mind the
hideous suggestion that the Spaniard had once been tortured
_full-length_--his flesh once thrawned in machinery of the devil....
Bedient's hand was grasped in a cold bony grip, and his eyes held for
an instant in the bright unquiet gaze of the Spaniard.

"I welcome you, Mr. Bedient.... Do you plan to be with us some little
time?" The Senor spoke in a low, monotonous way. His English was but
little colored by native speech.

"I cannot tell yet," said Bedient. "I have long wanted to see your
wonderful house, but this particular moment, I came to find a certain
man----"

Bedient noted the yellow eyelids of the other droop a little. He
understood perfectly that there were many men now at _The Pleiad_ who
were badly wanted.

"Don't mistake me, Senor Rey," he added. "The man I wish to talk with
can only prosper for my coming."

"Frequently it happens that the one searched for in Equatoria--is the
last found," the Spaniard observed.

Linen, silver, crystal and candle-radiance were superbly blended upon
the small round table between them. Rey, as a talker, was artful and
inspiriting. His disordered body seemed an ancient classic volume, done
in scarred vellum--a book of perils, named Celestino Rey--and all
things about, the spears, guns, skins, shields, even the grim shadows,
were but references to the text. The dinner was perfect. A tray of
wines and a sheaf of cheroots were placed upon the balcony, at length,
with two chairs covered with puma skins. The Chinese assisted Rey
thither, and when they were alone, he said:

"Do you feel at all like discussing the affair which really brings you
to _The Pleiad_?... You neither eat nor drink nor smoke--perhaps you
talk."

Bedient laughed. "Wouldn't it be the simplest way to believe me?" he
asked. "I want to see Jim Framtree, and I heard he was here. The matter
has nothing to do with Equatoria, the present unrest, nor with any
relation of his or mine to the Island or to _The Pleiad_. You can make
it possible for me to see him at once."

"Unfortunately, I cannot. My province in _The Pleiad_ is to cut down
tension to a minimum. So many gentlemen present are of a highly nervous
temperament. My best procedure many times is to act negatively....
Doubtless Dictator Jaffier was very glad of your return to the
dreamiest of climates----"

"Yes," said Bedient.

"I noted this morning that he dispatched a convoy to your _hacienda_,
bearing doubtles