su! Tatsu!" cried the other in an agony of fear. "Stop! I
command!"

Tatsu turned, scowling. Then he laughed.

"No, no, I did not mean the word 'command.' I entreat you, Tatsu,
because you are young and I am old; because I need you. Dear youth,
you must be hungered and very weary. Remain at least until our meal is
served."

"I desire no food of yours," said Tatsu. "Why did you summon me when
you had nothing to reveal? You are no artist! And I pine, already,
for the mountains!"

"Then, Tatsu, if I am no artist, stay and teach me how to paint. Yes,
yes, you shall honorably teach me. I shall receive reproof thankfully.
I need you, Tatsu. I have no son. Stay and be my son."

The short, scornful laugh came again. "Your son! What could you do
with a son like me? You love to dwell in square cages, and wear smooth
shiny clothes. You eat tasteless foods and sleep like a cocoon that is
rolled. My life is upon the mountains; my food the wild grapes and the
berries that grow upon them. The pheasants and the mountain lions are
my friends. I stifle in these lowlands. I cannot stay. I must
breathe the mountains, and there among the peaks some day--some day--I
shall touch her sleeve, the sleeve of the Dragon Maiden whom I seek.
Let me go, old man! I have no business in this place!"

In extremes of desperation one clutches at the semblance of a straw. A
last, wild hope had flashed to Kano's mind. "Come nearer, Tatsu San,"
he whispered, forcing his face into the distortion of a smile. "Lean
nearer. The real motive of my summons has not been spoken."

Compelled by the strange look and manner of his host, Tatsu retraced a
few steps. The old voice wheedled through the dusk. "In this very
house, under my mortal control, the Dragon Maiden whom you seek is
hidden."

Tatsu staggered back, then threw himself to the floor, searching the
speaker's face for truth. "Could you lie to me of such a thing as
this?" he asked.

"No, Tatsu, by the spirits of my ancestors, I have such a maiden here.
Soon I shall show you. Only you must be patient and very quiet, that
she may manifest herself."

"I shall be quiet, Kano Indara."

Kano, shivering now with excitement and relief, clapped hands loudly
and called on Mata's name. The old dame entered, skirting warily the
vicinity of the "madman."

"Mata, fix your eyes on me only while I am speaking," began her master.
"Say to the Dragon Maid whom we keep in the chamb