Seated in the neat and cozy parlor of an up-town flat was a very dark-skinned young woman and her maid. The former was almost black, but her features were oval, her lips small, and her hair straight and long. The maid was a French girl and rather pretty.
The pair were startled by a loud rap at the door.
“Open the door, Marie.”
The French girl obeyed. A small man with dark skin and still darker eyes entered. His eyes were of extraordinary size, and for all that they had a piercing expression.
“You!”
The expression seemed to have been painfully wrung from the woman’s heart. The visitor laughed.
“Zulima,” he said, “I would be alone with you.”
Marie did not recognize the strange language used by the pair. For all that she noticed a hunted and frightened expression in her mistress’ eyes.
“Go!”
Zulima spoke in English, and waved her maid from the apartment. Very reluctantly Marie obeyed the command. She had taken an instant dislike to the visitor.