y meant by, 'He'll be gone
before that,'--within four days?"

"I don't appear able to learn anything by myself," Bedient said. "It
would seem the best way--to wait and see."

"Oh, but I wouldn't--please!... Is it worth that to see this Framtree,
whom the Spaniard has probably commanded to keep in hiding? I am
afraid--for you!... And the whole house, even the sleeping-rooms, are
under that devilish eye. I dared not turn on the light last night----"

They parted after less than twenty minutes. Bedient did not go in to
dinner.... To him, the night was but a sorry repetition. Miss Mallory's
disclosures could not long hold his thoughts. He had no intention of
telling Jaffier that something big was to happen within four days. What
was strangest was the fate which made it so hard for him to come into
contact with Framtree. He could not give up this thing--this last link
to reality. He felt himself better off here--than alone at the
_hacienda_.

This time, between two and three in the morning, he was so tense and
animate that he heard the soft, swift tread of a Chinese in the hall
and the faintest possible rustle of a paper thrust under his door. He
waited a moment before turning on the light.... It was another missive
from the Spaniard, and read:

MY ESTEEMED BEDIENT:

The request herein to be set forth may appear to you as a
reflection upon the quality of my friendship, as it certainly is
an indication of the force of your personality. You are felt in
this establishment, my valued friend, like some tarrying Nemesis.
Permit me to observe, and I am smiling as I write, that you have a
wearing effect upon many of my guests. Personally, I should ask
nothing finer of the Fates than the privilege to devote myself
exclusively to you--but that is impossible now. To-morrow at noon
my servants will assist you to any quarters elsewhere, that you
may have chosen by that time--if, indeed, you are staying longer
in Coral City. Believe me, when a certain tension is lifted, my
house will be open to you again, as is always the heart of

CELESTINO REY.

TWENTY-NINTH CHAPTER

AT TREASURE ISLAND INN

The morning rode in grandly upon the sea. Bedient was early below, and
overtook Miss Mallory in the gardens. She seemed particularly virile. A
pair of Senora Rey's toy-spaniels were frisking about.

"These are not my favorite kind, but I like dogs," sh