ut; they cannot come in here; they are full of opium,"
commanded Baskinelli.

"Stop; let them come in; we are going," said the mild voice of Owen.

The understanding look of Baskinelli met his. Baskinelli frowned and
Owen smiled. They were playing perfectly their roles.

The two Chinamen shuffled into the room. The priest arose in jabbering
protest. They argued with him acridly. A few feet away one could see
that their cheap linen robes covered the ordinary street garb of the
Chinamen; that the ugly lines on their faces were painted, as on the
face of the Joss.

Baskinelli was laughing. The others watched the argument in silence.
Every one but the host, and Owen, and Pauline, seemed a little
nervous.

Suddenly the lamp on the floor went out. There was another at the
farther side of the room, but its dim light made the scene more weird
than darkness could have made it.

"Well, I thought we were going," snapped Harry's strident voice.

"We are," replied Baskinelli. "Miss--er--I am afraid to speak--
Miss Marvin, shall we go?"

Pauline took his arm.

"Ali, but I have forgotten the most precious sight of the evening,"
suddenly exclaimed the musician. "Only a moment--look here."

Interested, Pauline did not notice that Owen softly shut the door upon
the receding footsteps of the others. Baskinelli guided her back to
the little door behind the screen--the door from which the Chinamen
had entered.

Baskinelli drew aside the curtain.

"There--that is one form of adventure."

Pauline looked through the curtain. A suffocating, narcotic odor came
to her. What she saw was stifling not only to the senses--but to the
soul. She turned away.

"Polly!"

Harry's voice rang through the little choked room like a thunder
blast.

"We are coming--we are quite safe," called Baskinelli, with the sneer
tinge in his tone.

"Very well, then; hurry."

Harry's manner aroused Pauline's temper again. She purposely
lingered.

The two Chinamen were arguing violently now with the priest.

Harry had closed the door and followed the others down the outer
passage.

"Miss Marvin--Pauline!" called Baskinelli with sudden passion. "Have
you a heart of stone? Can you not see me helpless in your presence?
Do you know what love is?"

He stepped towards her and tried to take her in his arms. But she was
stronger and far braver than he. She thrust him aside and fled through
the door.

Baskinelli followed, protesting,