eyes large and black, and her nose was thin and high. The most marked
feature of her face were the eyebrows, which almost met over her nose.
She had delicate hands and beautiful arms which showed themselves to
advantage as she manipulated the cards. From the gorgeous coverlet her
bust rose like a splendid flower, and for an invalid she had a
surprising color. She was indeed, as Jennings had remarked, like a
tropical flower. But there was something sensual and evil about her
exuberance. But not a whisper had been heard against her reputation.
Everyone, sorry for the misfortune which condemned this lovely woman to
a sickbed, treated her with respect. Maraquito, as some people said,
may have been wicked, but no anchorite could have led, on the face of
it, a more austere life. Her smile was alluring, and she looked like
the Lurline drawing men to destruction. Fortunes had been lost in that
quiet room.

When Jennings entered, Maraquito was opening a fresh pack of cards,
while the players counted their losses or winnings and fiddled with the
red chips used in the game. On seeing the newcomer, Senora Gredos gave
him a gracious smile, and said something to the pale, thin woman in
black who stood at the head of her couch. The nurse, or duenna--she
served for both--crossed to Jennings as he advanced towards the buffet,
on which stood glasses and decanters of wine.

"Madame wishes to know why you have not brought Mr. Mallow."

"Tell madame that he will be here soon. I have to meet him in this
place," said the detective to the duenna, and watched the effect of the
message on Maraquito.

Her face flushed, her eyes brightened, but she did not look again in
Jennings' direction. On the contrary, she gave all her attention to
the game which was now in progress, but Jennings guessed that her
thoughts were with Mallow, and occasionally he caught her looking for
his appearance at the door. "How that woman loves him," he thought, "I
wonder I never noticed it before. Quite an infatuation." For a time
he watched the players staking large amounts, and saw the pile of gold
at Maraquito's elbow steadily increasing. She seemed to have all the
luck. The bank was winning and its opponents losing, but the play went
on steadily for at least half an hour. At the end of that time a
newcomer entered the room. Jennings, who had glanced at his watch,
quite expected to see Cuthbert. But, to his surprise, he came face to
face with L