or a bit of khaki; British puttees and a flare of crimson; Russian boots and a glimpse of sodden gray; or an American campaign-hat crowning a motley of many services,—­explained that the soldiers of the world found Equatoria desirable in not a few cases for finishing enlistments.  It was quite as evident, too, that the criminal riff-raff of this world and hour found lodging in the lower city, as did its aristocracy in The Pleiad.

“A couple of hundred such as these,” Bedient reflected, “led by some cool devil of a humorist, could loot the Antilles and get away before the intervention of the States.  What an army of incorrigibles—­an industrious adventurer could recruit here!”

Then the truth came to his mind.  These belonged to Senor Rey’s army.  Only the Spaniard could command this part of the city to desperate endeavor.  His pesos and influence, like alcohol, penetrated and dominated the mass....  Signs vehemently proclaimed that American beer was important among the imports of Equatoria; and in a certain street he encountered pitiful smiles and furtive gestures from the upper balconies.

“Strange,” he thought, “wherever lawless men gather, their mates fly after them from court and slum.  It is not men alone who love to venture—­and venture to love!”

Bedient was ascending Calle Real once more, when his cheek was flicked by a tiny wad of paper which fell at his feet.  A carometa was toiling up the slope from the water-front.  He observed Miss Mallory’s profile in the seat.  She had not deigned to look, but with the dexterity of a school-boy the pellet had been snapped from her direction.  He pocketed the message and laughed at her innocent and unconcerned expression.  A little later he managed to read at a glance: 

     Meet the old military man you saw me with last evening.  Perhaps
     he’ll introduce us.

How quick she had been to sense the profundities of the Spaniard’s establishment!  Bedient was glad that she held nothing against him, and a bit surprised again that he had forgotten all about her reversal of form at his approach the night before....  He had little difficulty in making the acquaintance of Colonel Rizzio during the day, and was formally presented to Miss Mallory at dinner that evening.

“I have heard it’s quite the mode here to have names as well as costumes for the climate,” she said.  “My wardrobe is limited, and I am Miss Mallory—­as in New York.”

It was an hour before they were alone together.

“My friend,” she said, “you are looking ill—­more than ever ill....  Isn’t there anything I can do?  Isn’t there something you might tell me?”

Bedient felt her real kindness.  “You are good,” he answered.  “I’m all right, hardly know what it means not to be fit....  And now tell me how you find things.”

They stood in the centre of the coffee-room, so no one could listen without being observed.  Yet their voices were inaudible five feet away.