Nothing could exceed the warmth and cordiality of the reception I experienced at the hands of the rest of the family. I might have been one of themselves so rejoiced they all seemed at having me in their midst again--all of course save Falkner. But among the feminine side of the house I thought to detect positive relief, as though my return had dispelled some shadowy and haunting apprehension. There was something about the old Major, however, that convinced me he was cherishing an idea in the back ground, an idea upon which he would invite my opinion at the earliest opportunity. And that opportunity came. "Let's stroll down and look at the garden, Glanton," he began, presently. "I want to show you what I've been doing while you were away." And without giving anyone an opportunity of joining us, even if they had wanted to, he led the way forth. I listened as he expatiated upon the improvements he had been making, even as I had listened many a time before, but it struck me his explanations were a little incoherent, a little flurried, like the speech of a man who is not talking of that which lies uppermost in his mind. He continued thus until we had reached the furthest limit of the cultivated ground, where a high bush fence shut this off from possible depredations on the part of bucks or other nocturnal marauders. It was a secluded spot, and there was no sign of any of the others intending to join us. "Try one of these cigars, Glanton," he began, tendering his case. Then, after one final look round to make sure we were not only alone, but likely to remain so, he went on: "Let's sit down here and have a quiet smoke. There's something I want to get your opinion about. You know this witch doctor chap, Ukozi?" "Of course I do. What has he been up to?" "Up to? Oh, nothing. But the fact is I have taken a liking to the fellow. He interests me. He's been showing me some queer things of late--yes, devilish queer things. And he's promised to show me some more." "What sort of queer things, Major?" I struck in. "All sorts. Well, the finding of Aida's lost coin was a queer enough thing in itself. Now wasn't it?" "Yes. But--it's mere conjuring. You'd probably be surprised to know how the trick was done." "No doubt. But--do you know?" This somewhat eagerly. "No, I don't. I doubt though, whether it's worth knowing. Well, Major, you've got bitten with a sort of inclination towards occultism, and Ukozi comes in handy as a means of showing you a thing or two. Isn't that it?" "Well yes. But--Glanton, I seem to have heard you admit that these fellows can do a good deal. Yet, now you make light of this one?" "To speak frankly, Major, I think the less you have to do with him, or any of his kidney, the better. By the way, how the dickens do you manage to talk to him? Have you learnt?"