Opportunity is never lacking to a man in this mood. Some scientific idiot was getting up an Antarctic expedition, to start in the coming June. Brant applied for a berth. “That settles it,” he said. [Illustration] Of course, it didn’t settle it. He moped as much as ever and found it just as hard as ever to occupy his mind. If it had not been for the astrologer, he would hardly have known what to do. It amused him to interest himself in Zozo and his affairs. He watched the building of the new “orfice”, and discussed with Zozo the color of the paint and the style of the signs. Zozo tried to convert him to astrology, and that amused him. The little man’s earnest faith in this “science” was an edifying study. Then, when the “orfice” was completed, and Zozo began business again, he took great pleasure in sitting hid in Zozo’s back room, listening to Zozo’s clients, who were often as odd as Zozo himself. He had many clients now. Had he not miraculously evanished from a burning building, and come back unscathed? * * * * * But there are two sides to every friendship. Brant took an amused interest in Zozo. Zozo worshiped Brant as his preserver and benefactor. Zozo’s affairs entertained Brant. Brant’s affairs were a matter of absorbing concern to Zozo. Zozo would have died for Brant. So it came about that Zozo found out all about the blonde lady in Brant’s case. How? Well, one is not an astrologer for nothing. Brant’s coachman and Mme. de Renette’s maid were among Zozo’s clients. No society gossip knew so much about the Brant–Renette affair as Zozo knew, inside of two months. * * * * * “It’s perfectly ridiculous, Annette! I _can’t_ see the man!” “Madame knows best,” said Annette, wiping away a ready tear. “It is only that I love Madame. And it is not well to anger those who have the power of magic. If they can bring good luck, they can bring bad. And he is certainly a great magician. Fire can not burn him.” Mme. de Renette toyed with a gorgeously–printed card that read: [Illustration: +-------------------------------+ | ZOZO, | | | | Astrologer & Fire Monarch | | | | Seventh Son of a Seventh Son. | | | | 27 Rapelyea St. | +-------------------------------+ ] “Well,” she said at last, “show him in, Annette. But it’s perfectly absurd!” [Illustration] Zozo, in a very ready–made suit, with no earthly idea what to do with his hat, profuse of bows and painfully flustered, did not inspire awe. “You wish to see me?” inquired Mme. de Renette, somewhat sternly. “Madam,” began her visitor, in a tremulous voice, “I come with a message from the stars.” “Very well,” said Mme. de Renette, “will you kindly deliver your message? I do not wish to detain you—from your stars.” * * * * *