ing of the fire. Close in
the chimney sat two men. The one that was wrapped in a cloak and wore
boots, I knew at once: it was the bird of ill omen back again. Of the
other, who was set close to the red embers, and made up into a bundle
like a mummy, I could but see that he was an alien, of a darker hue than
any man of Europe, very frailly built, with a singular tall forehead,
and a secret eye. Several packets and a small valise were on the floor;
and to judge by the smallness of this luggage, and by the condition of
the Master's boots, grossly patched by some unscrupulous country
cobbler, evil had not prospered.

He rose upon my entrance; our eyes crossed; and I know not why it should
have been, but my courage rose like a lark on a May morning.

"Ha!" said I, "is this you?"--and I was pleased with the unconcern of my
own voice.

"It is even myself, worthy Mackellar," says the Master.

"This time you have brought the black dog visibly upon your back," I
continued.

"Referring to Secundra Dass?" asked the Master. "Let me present you. He
is a native gentleman of India."

"Hum!" said I. "I am no great lover either of you or your friends, Mr.
Bally. But I will let a little daylight in, and have a look at you." And
so saying, I undid the shutters of the eastern window.

By the light of the morning I could perceive the man was changed. Later,
when we were all together, I was more struck to see how lightly time had
dealt with him; but the first glance was otherwise.

"You are getting an old man," said I.

A shade came upon his face. "If you could see yourself," said he, "you
would perhaps not dwell upon the topic."

"Hut!" I returned, "old age is nothing to me. I think I have been always
old; and I am now, I thank God, better known and more respected. It is
not every one that can say that, Mr. Bally! The lines in _your_ brow are
calamities; your life begins to close in upon you like a prison; death
will soon be rapping at the door; and I see not from what source you are
to draw your consolations."

Here the Master addressed himself to Secundra Dass in Hindustanee, from
which I gathered (I freely confess, with a high degree of pleasure) that
my remarks annoyed him. All this while, you may be sure, my mind had
been busy upon other matters, even while I rallied my enemy; and chiefly
as to how I should communicate secretly and quickly with my lord. To
this, in the breathing-space now given me, I turned all the forces o