said,

"I come to ask you, Ayesha, to show me the dead, if the dead still live
elsewhere."

"And who told you, Allan, that I could show you the dead, if they are
not truly dead? There is but one, I think, and if you are his messenger,
show me his token. Without it we do not speak together of this
business."

"What token?" I asked innocently, though I guessed her meaning well
enough.

She searched me with her great eyes, for I felt, and indeed saw them on
me through the veil, then answered,

"I think--nay, let me be sure," and half rising from the couch, she bent
her heard over the tripod that I have described, and stared into what
seemed to be a crystal bowl. "If I read aright," she said, straightening
herself presently, "it is a hideous thing enough, the carving of an
abortion of a man such as no woman would care to look on lest her babe
should bear its stamp. It is a charmed thing also that has virtues for
him who wears it, especially for you, Allan, since something tells me
that it is dyed with the blood of one who loved you. If you have it, let
it be revealed, since without it I do not talk with you of these dead
you seek."

Now I drew Zikali's talisman from its hiding-place and held it towards
her.

"Give it to me," she said.

I was about to obey when something seemed to warn me not to do so.

"Nay," I answered, "he who lent me this carving for a while, charged me
that except in emergency and to save others, I must wear it night and
day till I returned it to his hand, saying that if I parted from it
fortune would desert me. I believe none of this talk and tried to be rid
of it, whereon death drew near to me from a snake, such a snake as I see
you wear about you, which doubtless also has poison in its fangs, if of
another sort, Ayesha."

"Draw near," she said, "and let me look. Man, be not afraid."

So I rose from my chair and knelt before her, hoping secretly that
no one would see me in that ridiculous position, which the most
unsuspicious might misinterpret. I admit, however, that it proved to
have compensations, since even through the veil I saw her marvellous
eyes better than I had done before, and something of the pure outline of
her classic face; also the fragrance of her hair was wonderful.

She took the talisman in her hand and examined it closely.

"I have heard of this charm and it is true that the thing has power,"
she said, "for I can feel it running through my veins, also that it is
a