a, was the little circlet formed of twisted snakes which he had
seen in his sleep.

"Then it must have been true," he said in a low and rather frightened
voice. "But how did she come and go?"

"Funny place, Gold House. I tell you that yesterday, Major. People come
up through hole, like rat. Never quite sure you alone in Gold House. But
what this lady like?"

Alan described his visitor to the best of his ability.

"Ah!" said Jeekie, "pretty girl. Big eyes, gold crown, gold stays which
fit tight in front, very nice and decent; sort of night-shirt with
little gold stars all over--by Jingo! I think that Asika herself. If
so--great compliment."

"Confound the compliment, I think it great cheek," answered Alan
angrily. "What does she mean by poking about here at night and putting
rings on my finger?"

"Don't know, Major, but p'raps she wish make you understand that she
like cut of your jib. Find out by and by. Meanwhile you wear ring, for
while that on finger no one do you any harm."

"You told me that this Asika is a married woman, did you not?" remarked
Alan gloomily.

"Oh, yes, Major, always married; one down, other come on, you see. But
she not always like her husband, and then she make him sit up, poor
devil, and he die double quick. Great honour to be Asika's husband, but
soon all finished. P'raps----"

Then he checked himself and suggested that Alan should have a bath while
he cleaned his clothes, an attention that they needed.

Scarcely had Alan finished his toilet, donned the Arab-looking linen
robe over his own fragmentary flannels, and above it the hateful mask
which Jeekie insisted he must wear, when there came a knocking on the
door. Motioning to Alan to take his seat upon a stool, Jeekie undid the
bars, and as before women appeared with food and waited while they
ate, which this time, having overcome his nervousness, Alan did more
leisurely. Their meal done, one of the women asked Jeekie, for to his
master they did not seem to dare to speak, whether the white lord did
not wish to walk in the garden. Without waiting for an answer she led
him to the end of the large room and, unbarring another door that they
had not noticed, revealed a passage, beyond which appeared trees and
flowers. Then she and her companions went away with the fragments of the
meal.

"Come on," said Alan, taking up the box containing Little Bonsa, which
he did not dare to leave behind, "and let us get into the air."

So they we