shooting
leave in the N'gombi."

"Yes, sir and Excellency," said the miserable Bones.

"And I said that I thought it inadvisable, because of the trouble in the
bend of the Isisi River."

"Yes, Excellency and sir," agreed Bones dolefully.

"And then you stared."

"Did I, dear old--Did I, sir?"

His embarrassment was relieved by the arrival of Ali. So buoyant a soul
had Bones, that from the deeps of despair into which he was beginning to
sink he rose to heights of confidence, not to say self-assurance, that
were positively staggering.

"Miss Patricia, ladies and gentlemen," said Bones briskly, "we have here
Ali Abid, confidential servant and faithful retainer. I will now
endeavour to demonstrate the power of the human eye."

He met the stolid gaze of Ali and stared. He stared terribly and
alarmingly, and Ali, to do him justice, stared back.

"Close your eyes," commanded Bones. "You can't open them, can you?"

"Sir," said Ali, "optics of subject are hermetically sealed."

"I will now put him in a trance," said Bones, and waved his hand
mysteriously. Ali rocked backward and forward, and would have fallen but
for the supporting arm of the demonstrator. "He is now insensible to
pain," said Bones proudly.

"Lend me your hatpin, Pat," said Hamilton.

"I will now awaken him," said Bones hastily, and snapped his fingers.
Ali rose to his feet with great dignity. "Thank you, Ali; you may go,"
said his master, and turned, ready to receive the congratulations of
the party.

"Do you seriously believe that you mesmerized that humbug?"

Bones drew himself erect. "Sir and captain," he said stiffly, "do you
suggest I am a jolly old impostor? You saw the sentry, sir, you saw the
woman, sir."

"And I saw Ali," said Hamilton, nodding, "and I'll bet he gave the
sentry something and the woman something to play the goat for you."

Bones bowed slightly and distantly. "I cannot discuss my powers, dear
old sir; you realize that there are some subjects too delicate to broach
except with kindred spirits. I shall continue my studies of psychic
mysteries undeterred by the cold breath of scepticism." He saluted
everybody, and departed with chin up and shoulders squared, a picture of
offended dignity.

That night Sanders lay in bed, snuggled up on his right side, which
meant that he had arrived at the third stage of comfort which precedes
that fading away of material life which men call sleep. Half consciously
he listened to the