Good-bye!" He was smiling a little now as he pressed the button again and rang off.

He put the faun's head back on the table, got up and stretched his vigorous arms.
"By Allah!" he exclaimed, new notes in his voice.

"What if--what if it _could_ be, after all ?" He turned to the wall, laid his hand on an ivory plate flush with the surface and pressed slightly.

In silent unison, heavy gold-embroidered draperies slid across every window.

As these draperies closed the apertures, light gushed from every angle and cornice.