money and his talents to the interests of his country. Despite a feeling
of danger, Gurdon could not help making a mental note of these things.

"Won't you sit down?" the cripple asked again. "I should like to have a
little chat with you. Here are whisky and soda, and some cigars, for the
excellence of which I can vouch, as I import them myself. Perhaps, also,
you share with me a love of flowers?"

With a wave of his strong arm, the speaker indicated the wealth of
blossoms which arose from all sides of the room. There were flowers
everywhere. The luxuriant blooms seemed to overpower and dwarf the
handsome furnishings of the room. At the far end, folding doors
opened into the conservatory, which was a veritable mass of brilliant
colors. The cripple smiled upon his blossoms, as a mother might smile
on her child.

"These are the only friends who never deceive you," he said. "Flowers and
dogs, and, perhaps, little children. I know this, because I have
suffered from contact with the world, as, perhaps, you will notice when
you regard this poor body of mine. I think you said just now you came
here entirely by yourself."

"That is a fact," Gurdon replied. He was beginning to feel a little more
at his ease now. "Let me hasten to assure you that I came here with no
felonious intent at all. I was looking for somebody, and I thought that
my friend came here. You will pardon me if I do not explain with any
amount of detail, because the thing does not concern myself altogether.
And, besides--"

Gurdon paused; he could not possibly tell this stranger of the startling