He had little time to ponder this enigma however because at that moment he became aware of a second presence in the room. He turned. A man stood just inside the open door. The naked one stared at the other with an interest that left no room for self-consciousness nor shame. "Who are you?" he asked. "My name is John Pride," the man answered. He was a man of erect bearing and though there was wonder and surprise in his voice he bore himself with a quiet dignity. "And now," he added, "may I ask you the same question?" * * * * * The naked man looked down at his own body and for the first time seemed conscious of its nudity. He glanced around the room and saw a robe of royal purple lying across a chair by the bed. He stepped over and lifted the robe and put it on. As he was tying the rich purple cord around his waist he looked frankly back at John Pride and said, "I do not know. I honestly do not know." John Pride said, "I have wondered what I would find in this cavern--wondered through the years. Only in my wildest fancies did I tell myself that a fellow human--or even a living creature--awaited me here. But now I find this is true." The younger man regarded his visitor with a calmness that belied any wariness between them. John Pride noted this with admiration and respect. The young man said, "Won't you be seated?" and when his guest was comfortable, regarded him with a smile. "Perhaps there are some things we should talk over." "Perhaps there are. You say you do not know your own name?" "That only begins to sum up my ignorance. I am not only unaware of my identity but I haven't the faintest notion of what this place is--where it is--or how I came here." It was John Pride's turn to stare. While doing so, he analyzed the younger man keenly. He saw honesty and an inner warmth that attracted him. There was something almost godlike in the clean lines of the body he had seen and in the face. These things coupled with what he already knew, intrigued him mightily and he resolved to approach this strange affair with an open mind and not play the role of the unbelieving cynic. It was time to go ahead. * * * * * John Pride said, "First, are you aware that there is another in this mansion--or was?" "I did not even know this was a mansion. It seems only one room." "It is an enormous structure set deep in the forest." "This other one--?" "A very old man. He died as I arrived here tonight." "You do not know his name or how came he here?" "I have a vague idea." The young man's dazzling blue eyes narrowed in thought. "A while ago you said you have wondered through the years as to what you would find in this room. That indicates you were aware of its existence." "True. Perhaps at this point I had better tell you the complete story--as much of it as I know." "I would be in your debt." "No, I will merely be discharging the last of a very old obligation."