devil of a humorist, could loot the Antilles and get away before
the intervention of the States. What an army of incorrigibles--an
industrious adventurer could recruit here!"

Then the truth came to his mind. These belonged to Senor Rey's army.
Only the Spaniard could command this part of the city to desperate
endeavor. His _pesos_ and influence, like alcohol, penetrated and
dominated the mass.... Signs vehemently proclaimed that American beer
was important among the imports of Equatoria; and in a certain street
he encountered pitiful smiles and furtive gestures from the upper
balconies.

"Strange," he thought, "wherever lawless men gather, their mates fly
after them from court and slum. It is not men alone who love to
venture--and venture to love!"

Bedient was ascending _Calle Real_ once more, when his cheek was
flicked by a tiny wad of paper which fell at his feet. A _carometa_ was
toiling up the slope from the water-front. He observed Miss Mallory's
profile in the seat. She had not deigned to look, but with the
dexterity of a school-boy the pellet had been snapped from her
direction. He pocketed the message and laughed at her innocent and
unconcerned expression. A little later he managed to read at a glance:

Meet the old military man you saw me with last evening. Perhaps
he'll introduce us.

How quick she had been to sense the profundities of the Spaniard's
establishment! Bedient was glad that she held nothing against him, and
a bit surprised again that he had forgotten all about her reversal of
form at his approach the night before.... He had little difficulty in
making the acquaintance of Colonel Rizzio during the day, and was
formally presented to Miss Mallory at dinner that evening.

"I have heard it's quite the mode here to have names as well as
costumes for the climate," she said. "My wardrobe is limited, and I am
Miss Mallory--as in New York."

It was an hour before they were alone together.

"My friend," she said, "you are looking ill--more than ever ill....
Isn't there anything I can do? Isn't there something you might tell
_me_?"

Bedient felt her real kindness. "You are good," he answered. "I'm all
right, hardly know what it means not to be fit.... And now tell me how
you find things."

They stood in the centre of the coffee-room, so no one could listen
without being observed. Yet their voices were inaudible five feet away.

"It was clear to me at once," she said, "that I had bett