ever mastered him. The
temptation to leave Framtree and to take even a flying trip to
India--since New York was not for him--this was tangible, and he
whipped it, though the conflict used up all his power. He had nothing
left to combat the vague psychic thrall that appeared to be destroying
his life. An understanding friend, as David Cairns had come to be,
would have perceived startling changes in Andrew Bedient, and forthwith
would have contended with the enemy for every inch of advance. Bedient
was a bit awed by his great weakness. His physical deterioration did
not trouble him, but his anchorage in the great work of his time had
given way. He had to stop and think hard, to recall the least and
simplest of his conceptions of service. His sense of shame was
consuming in that all the good within him was gone, because he was
destined to be denied a human mate.

As to his exterior fortunes, there was substance in the matters
pertaining to the Glow-worm, which Miss Mallory brought, but they
hardly held him past the moments of their telling. They had met for
luncheon. She was unable to speak for a moment. Bedient wondered if he
looked so badly as that. The woman summoned all her powers to compel
his mind with what was so absorbing to her. He was not a little
impressed by her exceeding kindness. They were seated opposite at a
small table in the very centre of the luncheon-room.

"It's all right," she said lightly. "Senor Rey knows I am to have
luncheon with you. We had a long talk this morning, and I think I left
him in excellent spirits.... Oh, yes, he's an artist with the probe. I
didn't give him a chance to talk about you, because I asked the first
questions."

Her resourcefulness was delightful. "A friend's fortunes are truly safe
in your hands," he said. "And now please tell me all about it."

TWENTY-EIGHTH CHAPTER

A FURTHER NOTE FROM REY

"I had a long mental work-out this morning in the room before
breakfast," she began. "I even thought about what brings you here, and
about my long talk with the Glow-worm last night, which I'll get to--if
you are a very interested listener. After breakfast, I walked for an
hour in the grounds. Have you been over to the Inlet, where Senor Rey's
beautiful sailing-yacht lies--the _Savonarola_?"

"I've seen it from the road," Bedient answered.

"A stairway goes down from the bluff under the road, a hundred steps or
more to the water of the cove. In fact, the tall spars o