“Well, Marie said to me: Billy, tell the gentleman that my mistress is sorry she parted from him in anger. She would ask him to come here, but it would be dangerous, as persons whom he will know are watching the house. The lady would come to you, only these same persons might follow her. Marie will meet you to-night, and deliver a message from her mistress, who begs you not to attempt to see her. Marie will tell you how to get rid of these people whom you don’t like.” “Is that all?” “All--except Marie will meet you in the Battery Park, near the Barge Office, at nine o’clock to-night.” “Did this Marie name any of the parties I do not like?” “Yes--one of them.” “The name?” “Lord bless you, sir, I tried to remember it, but I couldn’t.” “Was it Ajeeb?” Barry scratched his head, and seemed puzzled. “It sounded something like that, but that wasn’t the name.” This reply confirmed Stolburst in the belief that the messenger did come indirectly from the princess. So Zulima had relented! She found, on mature thought, that she had more affection for the explorer than for the teachings of the devotees of Jobu. Stolburst was glad of that. Indeed, he had often thought that his intimate friendship with the girl would end with him falling in love with her. She was not a negro, or even a black. Zulima looked, in her oriental beauty, just what she was--a princess. “Tell your mistress I will keep the appointment,” said Stolburst. “I haven’t any mistress, or master, either, for that matter; the flat is owned by an insurance company.” “I forgot.” “You bet you did.” “Tell the young woman----” “Marie?” “Yes, stupid!” “What will I tell her?” “That I’ll keep the appointment she has made.” Stolburst tossed the fellow a silver dollar. Billy deftly caught the coin, and, with a low bow, took his departure. It might have surprised the explorer to see the janitor of the St. Joseph flat invest that dollar in a Manhattan cocktail and a Reina cigar at the Hoffman House café. Stolburst deferred his visit to Miss Lizzie Nightingale. He tried to think as to the manner Zulima had devised by which he could escape the wrath of her uncle. Could it be that she had discovered a weak spot in subtle Ajeeb’s armor? But it took a master mind in cunning to overreach Ajeeb. “I wish I could see the princess in person,” thought Stolburst; “but I suppose I must be satisfied to take things as I can get them.” It never once struck him that nothing prevented Marie from coming to the hotel. Come what might, Stolburst determined to see the maid. He knew the girl was very faithful, and that Zulima regarded her more as a friend than as a servant. The hour of nine struck by Trinity when Henry Stolburst entered Battery Park. The night was windy, and there was a steady downpour of rain. Despite this latter annoyance, he carried no umbrella. What was a sound ducking to a man of his experience? The park was dark and lonely, as it always is at night in winter.