* * * * *
Elas Peterman looked up as the door opened to admit his visitor. His first impression startled him not a little.
It was the first time he had encountered the man from Sachigo.
Bull moved into the room with that large ease which big men so often display. And he paused and frankly gripped the carefully manicured hand Peterman held out to him.
"I'm real glad to meet you, Mr. Peterman," he said quietly. Then he dropped into the chair set for him, while his eyes responded unsmilingly to the measuring gaze of the other.
"It's queer we've never met before," Bull said, leaning back in his chair.
Peterman laughed. He pushed a large box of cigars close to the visitor's hand.
"It's mostly that way with the high command in—war," he said easily. "The opposing generals don't meet except at the—peace table. Those are Bolivars. Try one?"
Bull helped himself with a laugh that was about as real as the other's.
"The pipe of—peace, eh?" he said.