some reason or other Keyork would not have a bell in his dwelling,
whether because, like Mahomet, he regarded the bell as the devil's
instrument, or because he was really nervously sensitive to the sound
of one, nobody had ever discovered. The Wanderer knocked therefore, and
Keyork answered the knock in person.

"My dear friend!" he exclaimed in his richest and deepest voice, as he
recognised the Wanderer. "Come in. I am delighted to see you. You will
join me at supper. This is good indeed!"

He took his visitor by the arm and led him in. Upon one of the tables
stood a round brass platter covered, so far as it was visible, with
Arabic inscriptions, and highly polished--one of those commonly used all
over the East at the present day for the same purpose. Upon this were
placed at random several silver bowls, mere hemispheres without feet,
remaining in a convenient position by their own weight. One of these
contained snowy rice, in that perfectly dry but tender state dear to
the taste of Orientals, in another there was a savoury, steaming mess of
tender capon, chopped in pieces with spices and aromatic herbs, a third
contained a pure white curd of milk, and a fourth was heaped up
with rare fruits. A flagon of Bohemian glass, clear and bright as
rock-crystal, and covered with very beautiful traceries of black and
gold, with a drinking-vessel of the same design, stood upon the table
beside the platter.

"My simple meal," said Keyork, spreading out his hands, and smiling
pleasantly. "You will share it with me. There will be enough for two."

"So far as I am concerned, I should say so," the Wanderer answered with
a smile. "But my business is rather urgent."

Suddenly he saw that there was a third person in the room, and glanced
at Keyork in surprise.

"I want to speak a few words with you alone," he said. "I would not
trouble you but----"

"Not in the least, not in the least, my dear friend!" asseverated
Keyork, motioning him to a chair beside the board.

"But we are not alone," observed the Wanderer, still standing and
looking at the stranger. Keyork saw the glance and understood. He broke
into peals of laughter.

"That!" he exclaimed, presently. "That is only the Individual. He will
not disturb us. Pray be seated."

"I assure you that my business is very private--" the Wanderer objected.

"Quite so--of course. But there is nothing to fear. The Individual is my
servant--a most excellent creature who has been wit