“Not very,” answered Alan, “and I had a dream, of a woman who stood over me and vanished away, as dreams do.”
“Ah!” said Jeekie. “But where you find that new ring on finger, Major?”
Alan stared at his hand and started, for there set on it above that of Barbara, was the little circlet formed of twisted snakes which he had seen in his sleep.
“Then it must have been true,” he said in a low and rather frightened voice. “But how did she come and go?”
“Funny place, Gold House. I tell you that yesterday, Major. People come up through hole, like rat. Never quite sure you alone in Gold House. But what this lady like?”
Alan described his visitor to the best of his ability.
“Ah!” said Jeekie, “pretty girl. Big eyes, gold crown, gold stays which fit tight in front, very nice and decent; sort of night-shirt with little gold stars all over—by Jingo! I think that Asika herself. If so—great compliment.”
“Confound the compliment, I think it great cheek,” answered Alan angrily. “What does she mean by poking about here at night and putting rings on my finger?”
“Don’t know, Major, but p’raps she wish make you understand that she like cut of your jib. Find out by and by. Meanwhile you wear ring, for while that on finger no one do you any harm.”
“You told me that this Asika is a married woman, did you not?” remarked Alan gloomily.