Dominey felt himself all the time encouraged to talk about his earlier life, and all the time he was conscious that for some reason or other his host's closest and most minute attention was being given to his slightest word.

Champagne had been served and served freely, and Dominey, up to the very gates of that one secret chamber, talked volubly and without reserve.

After the meal was over, their chairs were dragged as before into the open.

The silent orderly produced even larger cigars, and Dominey found his glass filled once more with the wonderful brandy.
The doctor had left them to visit the native camp nearly a quarter of a mile away, and the orderly was busy inside, clearing the table.

Only the black shapes of the servants were dimly visible as they twirled their fans,--and overhead the gleaming stars.