boat. Now they were in an enchanted garden, a garden filled with willow trees and cherry blossoms. There was a great ghinko tree like an Ogre standing guard over a Moon-Bridge that arched above a tiny winding stream. A tiny red-roofed house peeped out from among the trees.
"It is the garden of Doctor Placid," she said softly. "He it will be who will unite us in marriage."
In back of them walked old Wing Lo like a gentle shadow.
"Wing is my friend," said she, "the most faithful friend that dwells in all the world. He will be a witness to the ceremony."
An hour later they were back in the tiny boat again, floating upon the river. Dick's senses quickened. This lovely girl beside him, who was like a flower, this gorgeous, wondrous stranger was his wife.
4
Before parting forever they decided that they would have a little wedding breakfast somewhere in an out-of-the-way alley in the labyrinths of Singapore. He longed to ask her why she had married him. He wished her to confess to him the sinister mystery that hung over her, but somehow he could not bring himself to question her. If she wished to speak, she would; otherwise the matter would remain an enigma to the end.
For their rendezvous they chose a teahouse kept by a bland-faced Oriental that Wing Lo had recommended. It was a rather dim-lit restaurant, though by no means small. In the wraith-like lanternlight it seemed very vast. A few Orientals lolled over their tea and gazed sleepily into the shadows. Outside it was broad daylight, but within the tea-house it was very dark, for the windows were covered by heavy draperies.
For a wedding breakfast it was an extremely sketchy thing, merely rice-cakes and tea. Dick had no appetite whatsoever. He was very gloomy. It was hard to lose the most beautiful wife in the world within a few hours of one's marriage.
"I shall never forget what you have done for me," she said softly.
He smiled wryly. "Spoken like a constant and true wife," he drawled, "and yet you are sending me away."
"I must," she said. She hesitated for a moment; then she went on quickly. "You must think me mad, and therefore I will give you some slight explanation of my actions. My father was a rich tea-merchant, but eccentric. He had few friends, only one that he recognized. This one was Mortimer Davga. I was never able to understand why Davga of all men had been singled out by my father as a confidant. I could not trust him. He was like a sleek cat purring about one, a man of studied culture and refinement, fastidious in his eating and dress. His tastes were of the finest, both in women and jewels. A year ago my father died, leaving me as his sole heir. He made Davga executor of the estate with full unrevokable power to act over my affairs until such time as I should be married. Mortimer Davga proved himself a very thoughtful companion during the funeral. He attended to everything, but immediately thereafter his conduct changed. He came to live at the huge house which was my home. I had no brothers or sisters. My mother died when I was born. I do not know of a single living relative except an uncle in England whom I have never met.
"Existence at that house after the coming of Davga was not a pleasant thing. He moved soundlessly about as though he were a ghost or a spy. Continually I would look up from my book to find him
