“You are free,” said the Mystery. “But go not back to that place. It is a nest of serpents.”
“My friend—he went in there.”
“Your friend?” said the Mystery questioningly. “Who is your friend?”
“Bruce Browning.”
“Who is your friend?” repeated the strange man. “You can be sure of no friend but me. I am ever constant. Other friends may fail you, but I will not.”
“But he is back there!”
“How do you know?”
“I followed him in there.”
“And found him not. Trust not friends whom you fail to find in your hour of need.”
“I cannot go away while he may be in peril!”