I do not know all the story. Jeekie can
tell you about it if you want to know, for he is one of that people and
escaped with my uncle."

Now Jeekie having left the room, some of the guests wished to send
for him, but Mr. Champers-Haswell objected. The end of it was that
a compromise was effected, Alan undertaking to produce his retainer
afterwards when they went to play billiards or cards.

Dinner was over at length and the diners, who had dined well, were
gathered in the billiard room to smoke and amuse themselves as they
wished. It was a very large room, sixty feet long indeed, with a wide
space in the centre between the two tables, which was furnished as a
lounge. When the gentlemen entered it they found Barbara standing by
the great fireplace in this central space, a little shape of white and
silver in its emptiness.

"Forgive me for intruding on you," she said, "and please do not stop
smoking, for I like the smell. I have sat up expressly to hear Jeekie's
story of the Yellow God. Alan, produce Jeekie, or I shall go to bed at
once."

Her uncle made a movement as though to interfere, but Sir Robert said
something to him which appeared to cause him to change his mind, while
the rest in some way or another signified an enthusiastic assent. All of
them were anxious to see this Jeekie and hear his tale, if he had one
to tell. So Jeekie was sent for and presently arrived clad in the dress
clothes which are common to all classes in England and America. There
he stood before them white-headed, ebony-faced, gigantic, imperturbable.
There is no doubt that his appearance produced an effect, for it was
unusual and indeed striking.

"You sent for me, Major?" he said, addressing his master, to whom he
gave a military salute, for he had been Alan's servant when he was in
the Army.

"Yes, Jeekie. Miss Barbara here and these gentlemen, wish you to tell
them all that you know about the Yellow God."

The negro started and rolled his round eyes upwards till the whites of
them showed, then began in his school-book English:

"That is a private subject, Major, upon which I should prefer not to
discourse before this very public company."

A chorus of remonstrance arose and one of the Jewish gentlemen
approaching Jeekie, slipped a couple of sovereigns into his great hand,
which he promptly transferred to his pocket without seeming to notice
them.

"Jeekie," said Barbara, "don't disappoint me."

"Very well, miss, I fall in