that I--though one of the earliest patrons of the
first establishment, that in Pekin--have never seen Mr. King!"

"He is so cautious and so clever as that?"

"Even as cautious and even as clever--yes! Though every branch of the
enterprise in the world were destroyed, no man would ever see Mr. King;
he would remain but a NAME!"

"You will arrange for me to visit the house of--Ho-Pin, did you
say?--immediately?"

"To-day, if you wish," said Gianapolis, brightly.

"My funds," continued M. Gaston, shrugging his shoulders, "are not
limitless at the moment; and until I receive a remittance from Paris"...

The brow of Mr. Gianapolis darkened slightly.

"Our clientele here," he replied, "is a very wealthy one, and the fees
are slightly higher than in Paris. An entrance fee of fifty guineas is
charged, and an annual subscription of the same amount"...

"But," exclaimed M. Gaston, "I shall not be in London for so long as
a year! In a week or a fortnight from now, I shall be on my way to
America!"

"You will receive an introduction to the New York representative,
and your membership will be available for any of the United States
establishments."

"But I am going to South America."

"At Buenos Aires is one of the largest branches."

"But I am not going to Buenos Aires! I am going with a prospecting party
to Yucatan."

"You must be well aware, monsieur, that to go to Yucatan is to exile
yourself from all that life holds for you."

"I can take a supply"...

"You will die, monsieur! Already you suffer abominably"...

"I do not suffer because of any lack of the specific," said M. Gaston
wearily; "for if I were entirely unable to obtain possession of it,
I should most certainly die. But I suffer because, living as I do at
present in a public hotel, I am unable to embark upon a protracted
voyage into those realms which hold so much for me"...

"I offer you the means"...

"But to charge me one hundred guineas, since I cannot possibly avail
myself of the full privileges, is to rob me--is to trade upon my
condition!" M. Gaston was feebly indignant.

"Let it be twenty-five guineas, monsieur," said the Greek, reflectively,
"entitling you to two visits."

"Good! good!" cried M. Gaston. "Shall I write you a check?"

"You mistake me," said Gianapolis. "I am in no way connected with the
management of the establishment. You will settle this business matter
with Mr. Ho-Pin"...

"Yes, yes!"

"To whom I will introduce y