file which includes the original illustrations4 ,see #baabg-;h4htm or #baabg-;h4zip3 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#b_/ a_/a_/b_/baabg_/baabg-;h_/#baabg-;h4htm7 or 7https3_/_/www4gutenberg4org_/dirs_/#b_/ a_/a_/b_/baabg_/baabg-;h4zip7 ,,the ,,mystics ,a ,novel by ,,katherine ,,cecil ,,thurston ,author of ,the ,masquerader ,the ,gambler ,illustrated ,illustration3 ,see ,chap4 ,,vii ,,the ,,prophet ,,with ,,his ,,fixed ,,gaze ,,upon ,,the ,,scitsym ,harper ,brothers ,publishers ,new ,york and ,london ,,mcmvii ,copyright1 #aijd1 by ,katherine ,cecil ,thurston4 ,all rights reserved4 ,published ,april1 #aijg4 ,to my ,cousin ,nancy ,inez ,pollock ,,illustrations ,,the ,,prophet ,,with ,,his ,,fixed ,,gaze ,,upon ,,the ,,scitsym ,frontispiece ,,the ,,figure ,,of ,,his ,,uncle 444 ,,showed ,,tall ,,and ,,angular ,,in ,,the ,,aperture ,facing p4 #bj ,,he 444 ,,gathered ,,the ,,first ,,sheaf ,,of ,,leaves ,,into ,,his ,,fingers #dj ,,across ,,the ,,prophet',s ,,breast1 ,,in ,,marks ,,of ,a ,,cruel ,,laceration1 ,,ran ,,the ,,symbolic ,,octagonal ,,figure ,,of ,,the ,,mystic ,,sect #ef ,,with ,a ,,fresh ,,burst ,,of ,,tears1 ,,she ,,turned ,,and ,,flung ,,herself ,,upon ,,the ,,couch #aaf ,,her ,,hand ,,was ,,trembling ,,as ,,she ,,raised ,,the ,,heavy ,,knocker #acf ',i ,,am ,,in ,,need ,,of ,,help 444 ,,and ,,you ,,can ,,help ,,me' #adf ,,she ,,saw ,,the ,,figure ,,of ,,the ,,prophet 444 ,,attended ,,by ,,the ,,precursor ,,and ,,the ,,six ,,arch-,,mystics #aeh ,,the ,,mystics ,,chapter ,i ,of all the sensations to which the human mind is a prey1 there is none so powerful in its finality1 so chilling in its sense of an impending event as the knowledge that ,death--grim1 implacable ,death--has cast his shadow on a life that custom and circumstance have rendered familiar4 ,whatever the personal feeling may be--whether dismay1 despair1 or relief--no man or woman can watch that advancing shadow without a quailing at the heart1 an individual shrinking from the terrible1 natural mystery that we must all face in turn--each for himself and each alone4 ,in a gaunt house on the loneliest point where the ,scottish coast overlooks the ,irish ,sea1 ,john ,henderson was watching his uncle die4 ,in the plain1 whitewashed room where the sick man lay1 a fire was burning and a couple of oil-lamps shed an uncertain glow2 but outside1 the wind roared inland from the shore1 and the rain splashed in furious showers against the windows of the house4 ,it was a night of tumult and darkness2 but neither the old man who lay waiting for the end nor the young man who watched that end approaching gave any heed to the turmoil of the elements4 ,each was self-engrossed4 ,except for an occasional rasping cough1 or a slow1 indrawn breath1 no sign came from the small iron bedstead on which the dying man lay4 ,his hard1 emaciated face was set in an impenetrable mask2 his glazed eyes were fixed immovably on a distant portion of the ceiling2 and his hands lay clasped upon his breast1 covering some object that depended from his neck4 ,he had lain thus since the doctor from the neighboring town had braved the rising storm and ridden over to see him in the fall of the evening2 and no accentuation of the gale that lashed the house1 no increase in the roar of the ocean three hundred yards away1 had power to interrupt his lethargy4 ,in curious contrast was the expression that marked his nephew's face4 ,an extraordinary suppressed energy was visible in every line of ,john ,henderson's body as he sat crouching over the fire2 and a look of irrepressible excitement smoldered in the eyes that gazed into the glowing coals4 ,he was barely twenty-three years old1 but the self-control that comes from endurance and privation sat unmistakably on his knitted brows and closed lips4 ,he was neither handsome of feature nor graceful of figure1 yet there was something more striking and interesting than either grace or beauty in the strong1 youthful form and the strong1 intelligent face4 ,for a long time he retained his crouching seat on the wooden stool that stood before the hearth2 then at last the activity at work within his mind made further inaction intolerable4 ,he rose and turned towards the bed4 ,the dying man lay motionless1 awaiting the final summons with that aloofness that suggests a spirit already partially extricated from its covering of flesh4 ,his glassy eyes were still fixed and immovable save for an occasional twitching of the eyelids2 his pallid lips were drawn back from his strong1 prominent teeth2 and the skin about his temples looked shrivelled and sallow4 ,the doctor's parting words came sharply to the younger man's mind4 ,sit still and watch him--you can do no more4 ,he reiterated this injunction many times mentally as he stood contemplating the man who for seven interminable years had ruled1 repressed1 and worked him as he might have worked a well-constructed1 manageable machine2 and a sudden rush of joy1 of freedom and recompense flooded his heart and set his pulses throbbing4 ,he momentarily lost sight of the grim shadow hovering over the house4 ,the sense of emancipation rose tumultuously1 over-ruling even the immense solemnity of approaching ,death4 ,john ,henderson had known little of the easy1 pleasant paths of life1 carpeted by wealth and sheltered by influence4 ,his most childish and distant recollections carried him back to days of anxious poverty4 ,his father1 the elder son of a wealthy ,scottish landowner1 had quarrelled with his father1 and at the age of twenty left his home1 disinherited in favor of his younger brother4 ,possessed of a peculiar temperament--passionate1 headstrong1 dogged in his resolves1 he had shaken the dust of ,scotland from his feet2 sworn never to be beholden to either father or brother for the fraction of a penny1 and had gone out into the world to seek his fortune4 ,but the fortune had been far to seek4 ,for years he had followed the sea2 for years he had toiled on land2 but in every undertaking failure stalked him4 ,finally1 at the age of fifty1 he touched success for the first time4 ,he fell in love and found his love returned4 ,but here again the irony of fate was constant in its pursuit4 ,the object of his choice was the daughter of an artist1 a man as needy1 as entirely unfortunate as he himself4 ,but love at fifty is sometimes as blind as love at twenty-five4 ,with an improvidence that belied his nationality1 ,alick ,henderson married after a courtship as brief as it was happy4 ,for a year he shared the hap-hazard life of his wife and father-in-law2 then ,nature saw fit to alter the small mnage4 ,the artist died1 and almost at the same time little ,john was born4 ,with the coming of the child1 ,henderson conceived a new impetus and also a new sense of bitterness and self-reproach4 ,a homeless failure may tramp the face of the earth and feel no shame2 but the unsuccessful man who is a husband and a father moves upon a different plane4 ,he has ties--responsibilities--something for which he must answer to himself4 ,there is pathos in the picture of a man setting forth at fifty-one to conquer the world anew2 and its grim futility is not good to look upon4 ,henderson had failed for himself1 and he failed equally for others4 ,the years that followed his marriage were but the unwinding of a pitifully old story4 ,before his boy was ten years old he had run the gamut of humiliation2 he had done everything that the pinch of poverty could demand1 except apply for aid to his brother ,andrew4 ,this even the faithful1 patient wife who had stood stanch in all his trials never dared to suggest4 ,in this atmosphere ,john learned to look upon life4 ,a naturally high-spirited and courageous child1 he gradually fell under that spell of premature understanding that is the portion of a mind forced too soon to realize the significance of ways and means4 ,day by day his serious eyes grew to comprehend the lines that marked his mother's beloved face2 to know the cost at which his own education1 his own wants1 were supplied by the tired1 silent father1 who1 despite his shabby clothes and prematurely broken air1 seemed perpetually to move in the glamour of a past romance2 and gradually1 steadily1 passionately1 as these things came home to him1 there grew up in his youthful mind a desire to compensate by his own future for the struggle he daily witnessed4 ,many were the nights when--his lessons for the next day finished1 and his father away at one of the many precarious tasks that kept the household together--he would draw close to his mother1 as she sat industriously sewing1 and beg her for the hundredth time to recount the story of the grim ,scotch home where his father had lost his birthright2 of the stern old grandfather who had died inexorably unforgiving2 of the unknown uncle of whom rumor told many eccentric stories4 ,and1 roused by the recital1 his boyish face would flush1 his boyish mind leap forward towards the future4 ',twill all come back1 mother6 he would cry4 ',twill all come back6 ,i'll win it back6 ,and1 with a sobbing laugh1 his mother would drop her sewing and draw him to her heart in a sudden yearning of love and pride4 ,in such surroundings and in such an atmosphere he passed sixteen years2 then the first upheaval of his life took place4 ,his father died4 ,his first recollection--when the terrible necessities of the event were past1 and his own grief and consternation had partially subsided--was the remembrance of his mother calling him to her room2 of her kissing him1 crying over him and telling him of the resolve she had taken to write and make known his existence to his uncle in ,scotland4 ,the confession at first overwhelmed him4 ,his own pride1 his sense of loyalty to his father's memory prompted him to cry out against the idea as against a sacrilege4 ,then slowly his boyish1 immature mind grasped something of the nobility that prompted the decision--something of the inexpressible love that counted sentiment and personal dignity as nothing beside his own future2 and in a passion of gratitude he flung his arms about his mother1 repeating the old childish vows with a new and deeper force4 ,so the letter to ,scotland was despatched2 and a time of sharp suspense followed for mother and son4 ,then1 one never-to-be-forgotten day1 the answer arrived4 ,andrew ,henderson wrote unemotionally4 ,he expressed formal regret for his brother's death1 but evinced no interest in his sister-in-law's position4 ,he briefly described himself as living an isolated life in a small house on the sea-coast1 a dozen miles from the family home which had remained untenanted since his father's death4 ,he admitted that with advancing years the duties of life had begun to weigh upon him1 diverting his mind and time from the graver pursuits to which his life was devoted2 finally he grudgingly suggested that1 should his nephew care to undertake the duties of secretary at a salary of sixty pounds a year1 he might find a home with him4 ,the immediate feeling that followed the reading of the letter was fraught with chilling disappointment4 ,on the moment1 pride again asserted itself1 urging a swift refusal of the rich man's proposal2 then once more the patience that had kept ,mrs4 ,henderson brave and gentle during seventeen years of wearing poverty made itself felt4 ,all thought of personal grievance faded from her mind as she pointed out the urgent necessity of ,john's being seen and known by this uncle1 whose only relation and ostensible heir he was4 ,she talked for long1 wisely and kindly--as mothers talk out of the unselfish fulness of their hearts--and with every word the golden castles of her imagination rose tower on tower to form the citadel in which her son was to reign supreme4 ,so wisely and so lovingly did she talk that she persuaded not only the boy1 but herself1 into the belief that he had but to reach ,scotland to make his inheritance sure2 and before the day closed she wrote to ,andrew ,henderson accepting his offer4 ,a week later the whole light of her life went out1 as she watched the train steam out of the station1 carrying ,john northward4 ,upon the days that followed his arrival in ,scotland there is no need to dwell4 ,he came as a stranger1 and as a stranger he was introduced by his uncle to the routine of work expected of him4 ,no mention was made of his recent loss1 no suggestion was given that his mother should make her double bereavement easier by visits to her son4 ,whatever of hope or sentiment he had brought with him1 he was left to destroy or smother as best he could4 ,the first week resolved itself into one round of boyish homesickness and desolation2 then gradually1 as the marvellous healing properties of youth began to stir1 a new feeling awakened in his mind--a sense of curiosity concerning the strange old man whom fate1 by a twist of the wheel1 had made the arbiter of his life4 ,even to one so young and inexperienced1 it was impossible to know ,andrew ,henderson and not to feel that some strange peculiarity set him apart from other men4 ,in his ascetic face1 in his large1 light-blue eyes1 in his extraordinary air of abstraction and aloofness from mundane things1 there was something that fascinated and repelled2 and with a wondering interest the boy studied these things1 trying in his unformed way to reconcile them with his narrow experience of human nature4 ,for many weeks he sought without success for some key to the attitude of this new-found relative4 ,then one evening--when solution seemed least near--the key1 metaphorically speaking1 fell at his feet4 ,returning home from a ramble over the headland1 his observant eye was caught by the sight of a narrow foot-track that1 crossing the main pathway of the cliff1 wound steeply upward and seemingly lost itself in a tangle of gorse and bracken4 ,stirred by a boyish desire for exploration1 he paused1 turned into this obscure track1 and incontinently began its ascent4 ,for some hundreds of yards it led upward in a sharp incline2 and with its added steepness1 the ardor of the explorer warmed4 ,with impetuous haste he climbed the last dozen yards2 when1 as the anticipated summit was reached1 he halted in abrupt1 dismayed surprise2 for with alarming suddenness the land broke off short1 disclosing a deep gap or fissure1 carpeted with heather and surrounded by natural protecting walls of rock1 in the centre of which was set a miniature chapel built of dark stone4 ,at sight of the little edifice1 he thrilled with adventurous surprise4 ,there was something mysterious1 something almost fine in the sight of the small temple1 with the setting sun gleaming on its solid walls1 its low1 massive door and round window of thick stained glass4 ,he leaned out over the shelving rock1 staring down upon it with wide1 astonished eyes2 then the natural instinct of the boy overtopped every other feeling4 ,with a quick-movement of excitement and expectation1 he began to descend into the hollow4 ,but though he walked round the little building a dozen times1 shook the heavy door and peered ineffectually into the opaque window1 nothing rewarded his curiosity1 and after half an hour of diligent endeavor he was compelled to return home no wiser than when he had first stood on the summit of the path and looked down into the rocky cleft4 ,all that evening1 however1 the thought of his discovery remained with him4 ,at the eight-o'clock supper of porridge1 vegetables1 and fruit which he shared with his uncle1 he chafed under the silence of his companion and at the air of calm indifference that the whitewashed room with its raftered ceiling seemed to wear2 and it was with a sigh of satisfaction that he rose from table and bade his uncle a formal good-night4 ,with the same suggestion of relief1 he watched the old man light his candle and ascend the bare stairs to his own room2 then prompted by the impulse he never neglected1 he went into the study to write the daily letter that made his mother's existence bearable4 ,he wrote for nearly an hour1 omitting no detail of the evening's discovery4 ,then1 as he closed and sealed the letter1 a clock on the mantel-piece struck ten4 ,the sound had an oddly hollow and chilly effect in the bare1 carpetless room2 and unconsciously he raised his head and glanced about him4 ,his ideas1 still stirred by his adventure1 were more prone than usual to the suggestion of outward things2 and for almost the first time since his arrival1 he felt drawn to study his intimate surroundings4 ,with a new curiosity he let his eyes wander from the severe book-shelves to the ugly iron safe that stood in the most prominent position in the room2 and from the safe his glance turned to the revolving bookcase by his uncle's favorite chair1 in which lay the volumes that were in daily use4 ,following an impulse he had never previously been conscious of1 he crossed the room1 and drawing three books1 at hap-hazard from the case1 studied their titles4 ,the ,indissoluble ,essence1 he read2 ,the ,soul in ,relation to the ,human ,mind2 ,the ,mystic ,influence4 ,he stood for a space gazing at the sombre covers1 but making no attempt to dip into their pages2 then a sudden look of comprehension sprang into his eyes4 ,the oddly built stone chapel took on a new and more personal meaning4 ,with a quick gesture he thrust the books back into their place1 extinguished the lamp1 and softly left the room4 ,gaining the hall1 he did not turn towards the stairs2 but tiptoeing to the table1 picked up his cap1 crossed the hall noiselessly and opened the outer door4 ,the warmth of the ,august day was still heavy on the air as he stepped into the open2 a great copper-colored moon hung low over the sea1 and a soft1 filmy haze lay over both land and water4 ,without hesitation he turned into the cliff path1 and followed it until his quick eyes caught the indistinct foot-track that he had discovered earlier in the evening4 ,with the same decision1 the same suggestion of anticipation1 he stepped rapidly forward and once more began the sharp ascent4 ,the impetus of his curiosity carried him forward2 he mounted the path in hot haste2 then1 as he gained the summit1 he halted again1 but in new surprise4 ,in the hazy1 mellow moonlight1 the small building stood out sharp and dark as on his previous visit1 but from the round1 stained-glass window a flood of light--crimson1 rose-color1 and gold--poured out into the night4 ,,chapter ,,ii ,in the first moment of astonishment1 ,john stood motionless1 his gaze riveted on the glow of color that poured through the window upon the rocks and heather of the cleft4 ,then1 as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes1 another surprise was sprung upon him4 ,the door of the chapel opened and the figure of his uncle--long since supposed to be sleeping tranquilly in his own room--showed tall and angular in the aperture4 ,illustration3 ,,the ,,figure ,,of ,,his ,,uncle 444 ,,showed ,,tall ,,and ,,angular ,,in ,,the ,,aperture ,from ,john's position1 the open door and the lighted interior of the little edifice were distinctly visible2 and in one glance he saw his uncle's silhouetted figure and behind it a bare space some dozen feet square1 lined on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white4 ,from the ceiling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal1 and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air4 ,but his astonished and inquisitive eyes had barely become aware of these details when ,andrew ,henderson turned towards the circular sconce in which the candles were set and began to extinguish them one by one4 ,as the light died1 he stepped forward and ,john drew back sharply2 but at his movement a stone1 loosened by his heel1 went rolling down into the hollow4 ,and a moment later his uncle1 glancing up1 saw his figure outlined against the luminous sky4 ,what the outcome of the incident would have been on any other occasion1 it is difficult to say4 ,as it was1 the moment was propitious4 ,old ,henderson1 surprised in an instant of exaltation1 was pleased to put his own narrow1 superstitious construction on the boy's appearance4 ,laboring under an abnormal excitement1 he showed no resentment at the fact of being spied upon2 but calling ,john to him1 ordered him to walk home beside him across the cliff4 ,never was walk so strange--never were companions so ill-matched as the two who threaded their way back over the headland4 ,andrew ,henderson walked first1 talking all the time in a jargon addressed partly to the boy1 partly to himself1 in which mysticism was oddly tangled with a confusion of crazy theories and beliefs2 behind came ,john1 half fascinated and wholly bewildered by the medley of words that poured out upon the night4 ,on reaching the house1 the old man became suddenly silent again1 falling back as if by habit into the morose absorption that marked his daily life2 but as he turned to mount the stairs to his own room1 he paused and his curious light-blue eyes travelled over his nephew's face4 ,good-night6 he said4 ,you make a good listener4 ,and ,john--still confused and silent--retired to bed1 to lie awake for many hours1 partly thrilled and partly elated by the awesome thought that there was a madman in the house4 99 99 99 99 99 ,but all that had happened seven years ago1 and now ,andrew ,henderson lay waiting for his end4 ,in those seven years ,john had passed through the mill of deadly monotony that saps even youth1 and lulls every instinct save hope4 ,the first enthusiasm of romance that had wrapped the discovery of his uncle's secret had faded out with time4 ,by slow degrees he had learned--partly from his own observation1 partly from the old man's occasional fanatic outbursts--that the strange chapel with its metal symbol and marble floor was not the outcome of a private whim1 but the manifestation of a creed that boasted a small but ardent band of followers4 ,he had learned that--to themselves1 if not to the world--these devotees were known as the ,mystics2 that their articles of faith were preserved in a secret book designated the ,scitsym1 which passed in rotation each year from one to another of the six ,arch-,mystics1 remaining in the care of each for two months out of the twelve4 ,he had discovered that ,london was the ,centre of this sect2 and that its fundamental belief was the anticipation of a mysterious prophet--human1 and yet divinely inspired--by whose coming the light was to extend from the small and previously unknown band across the whole benighted world4 ,he had learned all these things4 ,he had been stirred to a passing awe by the discovery that his uncle was1 in his own person1 actually one of the profound ,six who formed the ,council of the sect and to whom alone the secrets of its creed were known2 and for three successive years his interest and curiosity had been kindled when ,andrew ,henderson travelled to ,england and returned with the ,arch-,councillor--an old blind man of seventy--who invariably spent one day and night mysteriously closeted with his host and then left1 having deposited the sacred ,scitsym with his own hands in the tall iron safe that stood in ,henderson's study4 ,but that annual excitement had lessened with time4 ,even a madman may become monotonous when we live with him1 day in1 day out1 for seven long years2 and gradually the attitude of ,john's mind had changed with the passage of time4 ,the sense of adventure and triumphant enterprise had steadily receded2 the knowledge that he was working out a slow1 distasteful probation had advanced4 ,reluctantly and yet definitely he had realized that his position was not to come and conquer1 but to watch and wait2 and this consciousness of a tacitly expected end had grown with the years--with the growth of his mind and body4 ,it was not that he was hard-natured4 ,the regularity with which he despatched his yearly money to his mother--reserving the merest fraction for himself--precluded that idea4 ,but he was young and human1 and he was youthfully and humanly greedy to possess the good things of life for himself and for the one being he passionately loved4 ,it would1 indeed1 have been an enthusiast in virtue who could have blamed him for counting upon dead men's shoes4 ,and now the shoes were all but empty6 ,he stood watching his uncle die6 ,having stayed almost motionless for several minutes1 he glanced at the clock2 then moved to the bed1 taking a bottle and a medicine spoon from the dressing-table as he passed4 ,time for your medicine1 uncle6 he said1 in his quiet1 level voice4 ,but the sick man did not seem to hear4 ,in a slightly louder tone ,john repeated his remark4 ,this time the vacant expression faded slowly from the large1 pale eyes1 and ,andrew ,henderson moved his head weakly4 ,seeing the indication of consciousness1 ,john carefully measured out a dose of medicine1 and1 stooping over the pillows1 passed one arm under his uncle's neck4 ,andrew ,henderson submitted without objection1 but as his head was raised and the medicine held to his lips1 he seemed suddenly to realize the position1 to comprehend that it was his nephew who leaned over him4 ,with a spasmodic movement he turned towards ,john1 his lips twitching with some inward and newly aroused excitement4 ,the ,book1 ,john6 he said1 sharply--the ,book6 ,john remained quite composed4 ,with a steady hand he balanced the spoon of medicine that he still held4 ,your medicine first1 uncle1 he said1 quietly4 ,we'll talk about the ,book after4 ,but the old man's calm had been disturbed4 ,with unexpected strength he raised one thin hand and pushed the spoon aside1 spilling the contents on the bed4 ,how can ,i leave it8 he exclaimed4 ,how can ,i go and leave the ,book unguarded8 ,again his lips twitched and a feverish brightness flickered in his eyes as they searched his nephew's face4 ,when ,i go1 ,john1 he added1 excitedly1 the ,book may be in your keeping for hours--perhaps for a whole night4 ,i know the ,arch-,councillor will answer my summons immediately2 but it is possible he may be delayed4 ,it may be the ordination of the ,unknown that ,i should ,pass before he arrives4 ,if this is so1 ,i want you to guard the ,book--but also ,i want you to guard my dead body4 ,let no one touch it until he comes4 ,the key of the safe is here-- ,he fumbled weakly for the thin chain that hung about his neck4 ,no one must remove it--no one must touch it until he comes-- ,his voice faltered4 ,with a calm gesture ,john forced him back upon the pillows1 and quietly wiped up the medicine4 ,but with a fresh effort the old man lifted himself again4 ,john1 he cried1 suddenly1 do you understand what ,i am saying8 ,do you understand that for a whole night you may be alone with the inviolable ,scitsym8 ',the ,hope of the ,universe1 by whose ,light alone the ,one and ,only ,prophet shall be made known unto the ,watchers6' ,he murmured the quotation in a low1 rapt voice4 ,again the younger man attempted to soothe him4 ,don't distress yourself6 he said1 gravely4 ,i am here4 ,you can trust me4 ,lie back and rest4 ,but his uncle's face was still excitedly perturbed2 his pale eyes still possessed an unnatural brightness4 ,oh yes6 he said1 sharply1 ,i trust you6 ,i have trusted you4 ,i have left a letter by which you will see that ,i have trusted you--and that your fidelity has been rewarded4 ,but this is another matter4 ,can ,i trust you in this8 ,can ,i trust you as myself8 ,as he put the question a sweat of weakness and excitement broke out over his forehead4 ,but it was neither his wild appearance nor his question that suddenly sent the blood into ,john's face and suddenly set his heart bounding4 ,it was the abrupt and unlooked-for justification of his own secret1 treasured hope2 the tacit acknowledgment of kinship and obligation made now by ,andrew ,henderson after seven unfruitful years4 ,a mist rose before his sight and his mind swam4 ,what was the mad creed of a dying man--of a dozen dying men--when the reward of his own long probation awaited him8 ,but the old man was set to his purpose4 ,with shaking fingers he fumbled with two small objects that depended from the chain about his neck4 ,and as he held them up1 ,john saw by the glow of the lamp that one was a copy in miniature of the metal symbol that decorated the little chapel1 the other a long1 thin key4 ,as ,henderson disentangled and raised these objects to the light1 his eyes turned again upon his nephew4 ,john1 he said1 tremulously1 ,i want you to swear to me by the ,sign that you will not touch my body--nor anything on my body--till the ,arch-,councillor comes6 ,swear1 as you hope for your own happiness6 ,a wild illumination spread over his face2 the unpleasant fanatical light showed again in his eyes4 ,for a moment ,john looked at him2 then stirred by his own emotions1 by the new pang of self-reproach and gratitude towards this half-crazy man so near his end1 he went forward and touched the small octagonal symbol that gleamed in the light4 ,i swear--by the ,sign6 he said1 in a low1 level voice4 ,and almost as the words escaped him1 the chain slipped from old ,henderson's fingers1 his jaw dropped1 and his head fell forward on his chest4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the moments that follow an important event are seldom of a nature to be accurately analyzed4 ,for a long while ,john remained motionless and speechless1 unable to realize that the huddled figure still warm in his arms was in reality the vessel of clay from which a spirit had escaped4 ,then suddenly the realization of the position came to him2 with a sharp movement he stood upright1 and seizing the bell-rope1 pulled it vigorously4 ,when the old woman who attended to the household appeared1 he pointed to her master's body and explained in a few words how the end had come2 and how in a last urgent command ,henderson had forbidden his body to be touched until the arrival of a member of his religious sect4 ,the old woman accepted the explanation with the apathy common to those who have outlived emotion2 and with a series of nods and unintelligible mutterings methodically proceeded to straighten the already neatly arranged furniture of the room1 in the instinctive belief that order is the first tribute to be paid to ,death4 ,with something of the same feeling ,john drew the coverlet over the dead body1 then turned to watch the old woman at her work4 ,but as he looked at her a desire to be alone again swept over him1 and with the desire a corresponding impatience of her slow and measured movements4 ,chide himself as he might for his impatience1 curb his natural instinct as he might1 it was humanly impossible that his strong and eager spirit could give thought to ,death--while ,life was claiming him with out-stretched hands4 ,he held himself rigidly in check until the last chair had been arranged and the last cinder swept from the hearth2 then as the old woman slowly crossed the room and stepped out into the corridor1 he sprang with irrepressible impetuosity and shut and locked the door4 ,he had no superstitious consciousness of the dead body so close at hand4 ,the dead body--and with it the dead years and the long probation--belonged to the past2 he with his youth1 his strength1 his hope1 was bound for the limitless future4 ,without a moment's hesitation he crossed to his uncle's bureau1 which stood as he had left it three days before when his last illness had seized upon him4 ,the papers were all in order2 the ink was as yet scarcely rusted on the pens2 the key protruded from the lock of the private drawer4 ,with a tremor of excitement ,john extended his hand1 turned it and opened the drawer2 then he caught his breath4 ,there lay a square white envelope addressed to himself in his uncle's fantastic1 crooked handwriting4 ,as he drew it out and held it for a moment in his hand1 his thoughts centred unerringly round one object4 ,in a moment1 the seven years of waiting--the strange death scene just enacted--even ,andrew ,henderson and his mystical creed--were blotted from his mind by a wonderful rose-colored mist of hope1 from which one face looked out--the patient1 tender1 pathetic face of the mother he adored4 ,the emotions1 so long suppressed1 welled up as they had been wont to do years ago in the sordid ,london home4 ,with a throb of confidence and anticipation he inserted his finger under the flap of the envelope and tore it open4 ,with lightning speed his eyes skimmed the oddly written lines4 ,then a short1 inarticulate sound escaped him1 and the blood suddenly receded from his face4 ,,my ,,dear ,,nephew1 he read4--,in acknowledgment of your services during the past seven years--and also because ,i have no wish to pass into the ,unseen with the stain of vindictiveness on my ,soul--,i have obliterated from my mind the remembrance of my brother's ingratitude to our father1 and have placed the sum of #ejj to your credit in the ,cleef branch of the ,consolidated ,bank4 ,i trust it may assist you to commence an industrious career4 ,for the rest1 it may interest you to know that my capital1 which ,i realized upon your grandfather's death1 is already placed in the treasury of the sect to which ,i belong--where it will remain until claimed by the ,one in whose ultimate advent ,i most solemnly believe4 ,i make you cognizant of these facts that all disputes and unnecessary differences may be avoided after my death4 ,the papers by which my property was made over to the ,mystics some five years ago--together with a doctor's certificate as to my mental soundness at the time--is in the hands of the ,council4 ,any attempt to unmake this disposition of my fortune would be fraught with failure4 ,with sincere hopes for your future welfare1 ,your uncle1 ,,andrew ,,henderson4 ,for a space ,john stood pale and rigid1 making no attempt to reread the letter2 then all at once one of those rare and curious upheavals of feeling that shake men to their souls seized upon him4 ,the blood rushed back into his face in a dark wave2 the rose-colored mist that had floated before his vision flamed suddenly to red2 the same implacable rage that1 years ago1 had impelled his grandfather to disinherit his favorite son swelled in his heart4 ,all ideas1 all considerations1 save one1 became blurred and indistinct2 but this one idea rode him1 spurred him to a frenzy of desire4 ,it was the blind1 instinctive1 human wish to wreak his loss and disappointment upon some tangible1 visible object4 ,with a dazed movement he turned to the bed2 but only the huddled1 impassive figure beneath the coverlet met his gaze4 ,for more than a minute he stared at it helplessly2 then a new thought shot across his mind and his lips drew together in a thin1 hard line4 ,the road to revenge lay open before him6 ,with an abrupt gesture he stepped forward and pulled back the counterpane4 ,in the yellow lamp-light the thin face of the dead man had an ashen hue2 the half-opened eyes and the prominent teeth1 from which the lips had partly receded1 confronted him grewsomely4 ,but the force of his disappointment and rage was something before which mere human horror was swept aside4 ,with another rapid movement1 he stooped over the bed and unclasped the thin gold chain that hung round the dead man's neck1 letting the metal symbol and the long1 thin key slip from it into his hand4 ,turning to the dressing-table1 he caught up a lamp2 hurried from the room2 and1 descending the stairs1 passed into the study4 ,to his excited glance the place looked strangely undisturbed4 ,though the frames of the windows rattled in the gale1 the interior arrangements were as precise and bare as usual2 the fireless grate stared at him coldly1 and against the whitewashed wall the heavy iron safe stood out like an accentuated blot of shadow4 ,impelled by his one dominating idea1 he crossed without an instant's hesitation to the door of this hitherto inviolable repository of his uncle's secrets1 and1 inserting the key he carried1 threw back the massive door4 ,one glance showed him the thing he sought4 ,lying in solitary state upon the highest shelf was a heavy book bound in white leather4 ,the edges of the cover were worn yellow with time and use1 and from the centre of the binding gleamed the familiar octagonal symbol exquisitely wrought in gold and jewels4 ,with hands that trembled slightly he lifted the book from its place1 closed and locked the door of the safe1 and1 extinguishing the lamp1 left the room4 ,in the flood of unreasoning rage and thwarted hope that surged about him1 he had no definite plan regarding the object in his hand4 ,he only knew1 by the medium of instinct1 that through it he could strike a blow at the uncle who had excluded him from his just inheritance--at the crazy scheme by which he had been defrauded of his due4 ,with hasty steps he mounted the stairs and re-entered the bedroom4 ,to his agitated mind it seemed but just that1 whatever his vengeance1 it should be accomplished in the grim1 unconscious presence of the dead man4 ,stepping into the room1 he paused and looked about him1 seeking some suggestion4 ,as he stood there1 his eyes1 by a natural process of inspiration1 fell upon the fire that glowed and crackled in the grate2 and with a sharp1 inarticulate sound of satisfaction he strode forward to the hearth1 knelt down1 and prepared for his work of destruction4 ,illustration3 ,,he 444 ,,gathered ,,the ,,first ,,sheaf ,,of ,,leaves ,,into ,,his ,,fingers ,as he crouched over the flames a fresh gale swept inland from the sea1 seizing the house in its fierce embrace2 and the red tongues of fire leaped up the chimney in the instant answer of element to element4 ,instinctively he bent forward1 opened the book and gathered the first sheaf of leaves into his fingers4 ,then1 involuntarily1 he paused1 as the bold characters of the printed words shot up black and clear in the fierce glow4 ,almost without volition he read the opening lines3 ,out of obscurity will ,he come4 ,and--having proved ,himself--no man will question ,him4 ,for the ,past lies in the ,great ,unknown4 ,by the ,scitsym--from which none but the ,chosen may read--will ye know ,him2 and1 knowing ,him1 ye will bow down--,mystics1 ,arch-,mystics1 and ,arch-,councillor alike4 ,and the ,world will be ,his4 ,for ,he will be ,power made absolute6 ,for he will be ,power made absolute6 ,something in the six simple words arrested ,henderson1 suspended his thoughts and checked his hand4 ,by an odd psychological process his rage became chilled1 his mind veered from its point of view4 ,with a curious stiffness of motion he drew away from the fire--the book held uninjured in his hand4 ,he will be ,power made absolute6 he repeated1 mechanically1 as he rose slowly to his feet4 ,,chapter ,,iii ,on a certain night in mid-,january1 exactly ten years after ,andrew ,henderson's death1 any one of the multitudinous inhabitants of ,london whom business or pleasure carried to that division of ,brompton known as ,hellier ,crescent1 would undoubtedly have been attracted to the house distinguished from its fellows as ,no4 #h4 ,outwardly1 this house was not remarkable4 ,it possessed the massive portico and the imposing frontage that lend to ,hellier ,crescent its air of dignified repose2 but there its similarity to the surrounding dwellings ended4 ,the basement sent forth no glow of warmth and comfort1 as did the neighboring basements2 the ground-floor windows permitted no ray of mellow light to slip through the chinks of shutter or curtain4 ,from attic to cellar1 the house seemed in darkness1 the only suggestion of occupation coming from the occasional drawing back and forth of a small slide that guarded a monastic-looking grating set in the hall door4 ,and yet towards this unlighted and unfriendly dwelling a thin stream of people--all on foot and all evidently agitated--made their way continuously on that ,january night between the hours of ten and eleven4 ,the behavior of these people1 who differed widely in outward characteristics1 was marked by a peculiar fundamental similarity4 ,they all entered the quiet precincts of the ,crescent with the same air of subdued excitement2 each moved softly and silently towards the darkened house1 and1 mounting the steps1 knocked once upon the heavy door4 ,and each in turn stood patient1 while the slide was drawn back1 and a voice from within demanded the signal that granted admittance4 ,this mysterious gathering of forces had continued for nearly an hour when a cab drew up sharply at the corner where ,hellier ,crescent abuts upon ,st4 ,george's ,terrace1 and a lady descended from it4 ,as she handed his fare to the cabman1 her face and figure were plainly visible in the light of the street-lamps4 ,the former was pale in coloring1 delicately oval in shape1 and illumined by a pair of large and unusually brilliant eyes2 the latter was tall1 graceful1 and clad in black4 ,having dismissed her cab1 the new-comer crossed ,st4 ,george's ,terrace with an appearance of haste1 and entering ,hellier ,crescent1 immediately mounted the steps of ,no4 #h4 ,the last member of this strange procession had disappeared into the house as she reached the door2 but1 acting with apparent familiarity1 she lifted the knocker and let it fall once4 ,for a moment there was no response2 then1 as in the case of the former visitors1 the slide was drawn back and a beam of light came through the grating1 to be immediately obscured by the shadowy suggestion of a face with two inquiring eyes4 ,the ,word8 demanded a solemn voice4 ,the new-comer lifted her head4 ,he shall be ,power made absolute6 she responded in a low and slightly tremulous voice2 and a moment later the door opened1 and she stepped into the hall4 ,the scene inside the house was curious in the extreme4 ,if there were quiet and darkness outside1 a brilliant light and a tense1 contagious excitement reigned within4 ,the large hall1 lighted by tall lamps1 was covered with a thick black carpet into which the feet sank noiselessly1 and the walls and ceiling were draped in the same sombre tint2 but at intervals of a few feet1 columns of white marble1 chiselled into curious shapes1 gleamed upon the observer from shadowy niches4 ,on ordinary occasions1 there was a solemnity1 a coldness1 in this sombre vestibule2 but to-night a strange electric activity seemed to have been breathed upon the atmosphere4 ,women with flushed faces and men with feverishly bright eyes hurried to and fro in an irrepressible1 aimless agitation4 ,a blending of dread and hysterical anticipation was stamped upon every face4 ,people stopped one another with nervous1 unstrung gesture and odd1 disjointed sentences4 ,as the last comer entered1 she paused for a moment1 uncertain and hesitating2 but almost as she did so1 a remarkable-looking and massively built man who was standing in the hall1 disengaged himself from a group of people1 and1 coming directly towards her1 took her hand4 ,mrs4 ,witcherley6 ,at last6 he exclaimed1 in a full1 emotional voice4 ,i looked for you among the gathering and for a moment ,i almost feared-- ,that ,i would fail8 ,her voice was still tinged with agitation2 the pupils of her large eyes were distended4 ,no1 ,i did not mean that4 ,but at such a moment we burn lest even one of the ,elect be missing4 ,he continued to hold her hand1 looking into her face with his prominent dark eyes1 from which flashed and glowed an excitement that spread over his whole heavy face4 ,the night of nights6 he exclaimed4 ,to have lived to witness it6 ,his face glowed with a sudden enthusiasm2 and freeing her fingers1 he lifted up his right hand4 ',he shall walk into your midst--and sit above you as a ,king6' he quoted1 in a loud voice4 ,then remembering his companion1 he lowered his tone4 ,everything is in readiness1 he added1 more soberly4 ,the ,precursor still unceasingly prophesies the ,advent4 ,come with me into the ,place4 ,the ,gathering is all but assembled4 ,laying his large hand upon her arm1 he led her forward unresistingly through the groups of men and women1 and onward down a long corridor to where a curtain hid an arched doorway4 ,for a moment they paused outside this door1 and the man--still laboring under some strange excitement--again raised his hand3 ,come6 he cried4 ,and before we leave the ,place1 may the ,hope of the ,universe be fulfilled6 ,lifting the curtain1 he ushered her through the door4 ,the room--or chapel--into which they stepped was large and lofty1 covered on floor and walls with sections of marble alternately black and white2 overhead swung a huge octagonal symbol in jewelled and polished metal2 and at the end farthest from the door a haze of incense clouded what appeared to be an altar4 ,a concourse of people filled every corner of this vast room2 and from the crouched or upright figures rose a continuous1 inaudible murmuring4 ,still guiding his companion1 the massively built man forced a way between the closely packed figures4 ,but1 half-way up the room1 the woman paused and glanced at him4 ,this will do1 she whispered4 ,not any nearer1 please4 ,not any nearer4 ,his only answer was to lay his hand upon her arm1 and by a persistent pressure to draw her onward up the narrow aisle4 ,reaching the railed-in space about which the incense hung1 he paused in his own turn and motioned her towards the foremost row of seats1 from which the majority of the gathering seemed to hold aloof4 ,with a quick1 nervous gesture she deprecated the suggestion4 ,no6 ,no6 she murmured4 ,let me sit behind4 ,please let me sit behind4 ,but his fingers tightened impressively upon her arm4 ,no1 he whispered1 close to her ear4 ,no1 ,i want you to be here4 ,when the time arrives1 ,i want the full light to shine upon you4 ,after this she demurred no more1 but moved obediently into the appointed seat1 her companion placing himself beside her4 ,in the first moments of agitation and nervousness1 she had scarcely observed her surroundings2 but now1 as her perturbation partially subsided1 she looked back at the rows of bowed or erect figures1 and forward at the space about which the incense clung like a filmy veil4 ,at a first glance this veil seemed almost too dense to penetrate2 but as her sight grew accustomed to its drifting whiteness1 she was able to discern the objects that lay behind4 ,in place of the altar1 usually prominent in every religious building1 there was a wide semicircular space1 within which stood a gold chair raised upon a dais and a heavy lectern of symbolic design on which rested a white leather book1 worn yellow at the edges4 ,over this book a man was poring1 apparently unconscious of the active interest he evoked4 ,he was short and thick-set1 with a square jaw1 a long upper lip1 and keen eyes4 ,over a head of vividly red hair1 he wore a round black silk cap1 and his figure was enveloped in a flowing black gown4 ,from time to time1 as he read1 he lifted one hand in rapt excitement1 while his lips moved unceasingly in rapid1 inaudible speech4 ,at last1 with a sudden dramatic gesture1 he turned from the lectern and threw out both arms towards the high gold chair4 ,oh1 empty throne6 ,empty world6 he cried4 ,be filled6 ,there was something intense1 something electric in the words4 ,a startled cry broke from the people1 already wrought to nervous tension4 ,some among them rose to their feet2 some glanced fearfully behind them2 others cowered upon the ground4 ,and then--in what precise manner no one present ever remembered--the curtain at the doorway of the chapel was swung sharply back2 and the tall1 straight figure of a man clad all in white moved slowly up the aisle4 ,he moved forward calmly and deliberately1 his gaze fixed1 his senses apparently unconscious of the many eyes and tongues from which frightened glances and frightened1 awe-struck words escaped as he made his solitary1 impressive progress4 ,reaching the railing1 he paused and lifted one hand as if in benediction towards the red-haired man who still remained in solitary occupation of the ,sanctuary4 ,at the action1 a gasp went up from the crowded chapel1 and even those who still crouched upon the floor ventured to raise their heads and glance at the spot where the tall figure in the white serge robe stood motionless and impressive4 ,then the whole concourse of devotees stirred in involuntary excitement as the red-haired man1 with a cry of rapture1 rushed forward and prostrated himself at the feet of the stranger4 ,for a space1 that to the watchers seemed interminable1 the two central figures remained rigid2 then at last the tall man stooped1 and with great dignity raised the other4 ,as he gained his feet1 it was obvious that the smaller man was deeply agitated4 ,his lips were trembling with some strange emotion1 and it seemed that he could scarcely command his gestures4 ,after a protracted moment of struggle1 however1 he appeared to regain his self-control2 for with a slightly tremulous movement he stepped forward1 laid his hands on the low railing and glanced at the assembled people4 ,mystics6 he began4 ,chosen ,ones6 ,out of the ,unseen ,i have come to prophesy to you--,i1 an obscure servant and follower of the ,mighty4 ,for fifteen days have ,i spoken--telling you that which was at hand4 ,and now1 behold ,i am justified6 ,he paused and indicated the tall white figure still standing motionless1 with face averted from the congregation4 ,what have ,i told you6 he continued1 his voice rising4 ,have ,i not quoted from the sacred ,scitsym--which until this hour ,i have never been permitted to look upon8 ,have ,i not foretold the coming of this man--the garments he would wear--the ,sign upon his person8 ,and have ,i not done these things by a power outside myself8 ,again his voice rose2 and the congregation thrilled in response4 ,you have listened to me--you have marvelled--but in your ,souls doubt has held sway4 ,now is the moment of justification6 ,it is not meet that the ,great ,one should plead for recognition2 it is for you--the ,watchers--to see and claim him4 ,master6 he cried1 suddenly4 ,master1 show them the ,sign6 ,a hush like the hush of night fell upon the people2 and in this curious and impressive lull the white-robed man turned slowly round facing the congregation4 ,his appearance was arresting and remarkable1 though it possessed nothing of beauty4 ,he had a tall and powerful figure1 a strong and determined face2 his bare head was covered with close-cut black hair2 his hard1 firm lips were clean-shaven1 and his gray eyes looked across the chapel with a peculiar sombre fire4 ,he stood silent for a moment1 surveying the faces clustered before him2 then he raised his left hand4 ,illustration3 ,,across ,,the ,,prophet',s ,,breast1 ,,in ,,marks ,,of ,a ,,cruel ,,laceration1 ,,ran ,,the ,,symbolic ,,octagonal ,,figure ,,of ,,the ,,mystic ,,sect ,my ,people6 he began1 in a deep1 slow voice4 ,we live in an age when doubt roams through the world like a beast of prey4 ,i ask not for the faith that accepts blindly2 but in this most sacred ,scitsym-- he pointed to the white book upon the lectern--it is written that1 by a certain secret ,sign1 the ,arch-,mystics will recognize ,him for whom they have waited4 ,i call upon the ,arch-,mystics to declare whether or no ,i bear upon my person that secret ,sign6 ,he paused for a moment2 then with a grave1 calm gesture he unfastened his robe where it crossed his breast and threw it open4 ,there was a rustle of intense curiosity1 as all involuntarily leaned forward2 an audible gasp of awe and shrinking1 as all instinctively drew back before the sight that confronted them4 ,across the ,prophet's breast1 in marks of a cruel laceration1 ran the symbolic octagonal figure of the ,mystic sect4 ,he stood dignified and unmoved until the tremor of emotion had subsided4 ,then his glance travelled over the foremost row of seats4 ,come forth6 he commanded1 authoritatively4 ,come forth and acknowledge me6 ,his eyes moved slowly from seat to seat--pausing momentarily on the pale1 absorbed face of the woman in black4 ,but scarcely had his glance rested upon her than the heavily built man who sat beside her1 rose agitatedly and stepped forward to the sanctuary4 ,for a space he stood staring at the scarred skin from which the symbol of his creed stood forth as if miraculously branded2 then he turned to the congregation1 his prominent eyes burning1 his heavy face working with emotion4 ,brethren1 he said1 inarticulately4 ,brethren1 it is indeed the ,sign6 ,but the ,prophet remained motionless4 ,where are the other five8 he asked1 in a level voice4 ,almost simultaneously four men rose from the congregation and came forward4 ,one was tall and gaunt1 with a ,slavonic type of face1 wild eyes1 and a long1 fair beard2 another was young--scarcely more than seven and twenty--with the free carriage1 fiery glance1 and swarthy complexion of the nomadic races of southeastern ,europe2 the third was a small1 frail man of fifty1 with a nervous system painfully in advance of his physical strength2 while the fourth was a true mystic--impassioned1 enthusiastic1 detached4 ,one by one these men advanced1 examined the scars1 and turning to the people1 confirmed the words of their fellow4 ,then1 amid a tremulous hush1 the last of the six--the ,arch-,councillor himself--was led up the aisle4 ,for an instant the glimmering of some new feeling crossed the ,prophet's face1 as his glance rested on the old man who slowly approached with feeble steps1 bent back1 and anxious1 sightless eyes4 ,but1 as quickly as it had come1 the expression passed1 and he stepped forward for the old man's touch4 ,with a quivering gesture the ,arch-,councillor lifted his hand and nervously passed his fingers over the scars2 then1 drawing the ,prophet down1 he touched his face4 ,for a long moment of suspense his fingers lingered over the features2 then they fell again upon the scars4 ,and an instant later he sank upon his knees4 ,it is indeed made manifest6 he cried1 in a loud1 unsteady voice4 ,he shall sit above you as upon a ,throne6 ,the words were magical4 ,the whole concourse of people swayed forward hysterically4 ,men pressed upward towards the railing2 women wept4 ,and through it all the ,prophet stood unmoved4 ,he stood like a rock against which the clamorous human sea beat wildly4 ,with a quiet movement he drew his robe across his breast1 hiding the unsightly scars1 but otherwise he made no motion4 ,at last the red-haired man who had first claimed him1 stepped forward to his side4 ,speak to them1 ,master6 he said4 ,the words roused the ,prophet4 ,with a calm gesture he raised his head1 his eyes confronting the mass of strained1 excited faces lifted to his4 ,my ,people1 he said again1 in his deep voice4 ,what will you do with me8 ,the response was instant4 ,the ,throne6 ,the ,throne6 ,the crowd surged forward in a wave1 then receded as the tide recedes2 and the old ,arch-,councillor stepped feebly into the ,sanctuary and extended his hands to the ,prophet4 ,it was a moment of breathless awe4 ,the tall woman1 who until that moment had remained seated1 involuntarily rose to her feet4 ,she saw the figure of the ,prophet move grandly across the ,sanctuary in the wake of the old blind man2 she saw him halt for an infinitesimal space at the foot of the throne2 she saw him calmly and decisively mount the steps of the dais and seat himself in the golden chair4 ,then1 prompted by an overwhelming impulse1 she yielded to the spirit of the moment and dropped to her knees4 ,,chapter ,,iv ,three hours later1 when the curious rite of acknowledgment had been completed and the concourse of zealots had departed from ,hellier ,crescent1 the first night in his new kingdom opened for the ,prophet4 ,as the clocks of ,brompton were striking two1 the six ,arch-,mystics--each of whom possessed rooms in a remote portion of the house--lingeringly and fearfully bade him good-night1 and left him alone with the ,precursor in the apartments that for nearly fifty years had been kept swept and garnished in expectation of his advent4 ,apart from their suggestion of the mystical and fantastic1 these rooms possessed an intrinsic interest of their own4 ,and some consciousness of this interest appeared to be at work within the ,prophet's mind2 for scarcely had he and his companion been assured of privacy1 than he rose from the massive ivory chair which had been apportioned to him and from which he had made his second and private justification of his claims2 and very slowly and deliberately began a circuit of the chamber4 ,with engrossed attention he passed from one to another of the rare and costly objects that formed the furniture of the place2 while1 from the ebony table in the centre of the room1 his red-haired companion watched him with vigilant eyes4 ,still moving with unruffled deliberation1 he completed his tour of the apartment2 then a remarkable--a startling thing took place4 ,he wheeled round1 laid his hands heavily on the ,precursor's shoulders1 and looking closely into his face1 broke into speech4 ,well8 he demanded1 intensely4 ,well8 ,well8 ,what have you to say8 ,at first the red-haired man sat watching him1 mute and motionless2 then with a suddenness equal to his own1 he released himself1 leaned forward in his chair1 and silently uncorked a gold flask that stood upon the table before him4 ,lifting it high1 he poured some wine into two glass goblets1 and without a word handed one to the white-robed ,prophet1 and himself picked up the other4 ,john1 he said1 deliberately1 you were magnificent6 ,let me give you a toast8 ,power6 ,power made ,absolute6 ,with a grave gesture the ,prophet extended his hand1 and their glasses clinked4 ,power made ,absolute6 he responded1 in a low1 deep voice4 ,in silence they drank the toast2 but1 as he replaced his glass upon the table1 the ,prophet shook off his gravity1 and turned again to his companion4 ,now6 he exclaimed4 ,now6 ,out with it all6 ,how much of this has been native adroitness1 and how much unbelievable good-fortune8 ,out with it6 ,i'm hungry and thirsty for the truth4 ,for answer the ,precursor slowly lifted the gold flask and replenished his own glass4 ,truth in a golden flask6 ,but1 to throw a sop to your curiosity1 it was a matter of native genius engineered by ,providence4 ,i don't mind admitting that when ,i stood on the doorstep of this house fifteen nights ago and knocked the mystic knock1 ,i felt like a man embarking on a coffin-ship4 ,he stopped to drain his glass4 ,the ,prophet took a step forward4 ,and then8 he said1 eagerly4 ,then8 ,the other waved his empty glass4 ,oh1 there entered the native genius of ,terence ,dominick ,devereaux6 ,under that tremendous escort ,i stormed the citadel-- ,the ,prophet smiled4 ,and the ,mystic ears1 ,i have no doubt4 ,for a third time the ,precursor filled his glass4 ,the tongue is mightier--and a good deal more portable--than either the pen or the sword1 ,john1 he said1 sagely4 ,paving your way with words has been an unrecognized work of art4 ,but how about yourself8 ,i have my own curiosity4 ,he wheeled round in his seat and looked into his companion's face4 ,the ,prophet looked away4 ,oh1 ,i had my qualms1 too6 he said1 slowly4 ,just for a moment the world seemed to tremble1 when the old ,arch-,councillor groped forward and put his hands over my face4 ,it swept me off my feet--swept me back ten years4 ,it was like a vision in a crystal--if such a thing could exist4 ,i saw the whole past scene4 ,the bare room--the old dead man--myself2 the overwhelming wish to avenge my wrongs1 and the sudden suggestion that turned the wish cold4 ,i saw the long1 bleak night in which ,i completed the colossal task of copying the ,scitsym line for line2 ,i saw the gray morning steal in across the room as ,i closed the book1 returned it to its safe and replaced the key on my uncle's neck in preparation for the arrival of the ,arch-,councillor4 ,it all passed before my mind1 and then in a flash was gone4 ,i ceased to be ,john ,henderson4 ,the ,precursor glanced quickly towards the door4 ,avoid that name4 ,habits grow--and so do suspicions4 ,your probation has been too long and too hard to permit us to run risks4 ,now that you've stepped into your kingdom-- ,he made an expressive gesture4 ,the ,prophet laughed shortly1 then suddenly turned grave again4 ,you are right6 he said4 ,only a man with a light conscience can skate on thin ice4 ,to return to our original subject1 what about the inner workings of this odd game8 ,it is so curious to have lived for years on theory1 and suddenly to come face to face with practice4 ,i tell you ,i'm starving for facts4 ,he stepped forward quickly and dropped into a chair that faced his companion's4 ,out with it all6 ,to begin1 who is the master-spirit8 ,you know what ,i mean4 ,the master-spirit in the true sense4 ,poor old blind ,arian doesn't stand for much4 ,the ,precursor looked meditatively at his empty glass4 ,no1 he said1 thoughtfully4 ,you touch truth there6 ,michael ,arian is the cipher2 ,bale-,corphew's the meaning4 ,bale-,corphew is an interesting man1 ,john--,i had almost said a dangerous man-- ,the ,prophet's lip curled slightly4 ,dangerous6 ,yes2 dangerous in a sense4 ,in the sense that a personality always is dangerous4 ,among the six ,arch-,mystics there is1 to my thinking1 only one man1 and he interests me4 ,he interests me1 does ,horatio ,bale-,corphew6 ,the ,prophet leaned forward in his chair4 ,i think ,i catch your meaning1 he said4 ,something of the same idea occurred to me when he rose from his seat to-night4 ,while we spied upon them in the last six months1 he always struck me as curiously un-,english1 with that sleek exterior and those flashing eyes of his4 ,but in the chapel to-night he was almost aggressively alien4 ,when he touched my arm ,i could literally feel him bristle4 ,the other nodded4 ,you've said it6 he cried4 ,horatio bristles6 ,his whole queer soul is in this business--every fibre of it4 ,he attempts no division of allegiance--except1 perhaps1 in the matter of the heart-- ,the ,prophet glanced up and smiled4 ,the heart8 ,do my faithful ,watchers permit themselves hearts8 ,the ,scitsym makes no provision for such frail organs4 ,the ,precursor laughed again4 ,oh1 we ,elect are by no means free from little saving weaknesses6 ,that's where we become dramatic4 ,you can't have effect without contrast4 ,horatio1 for instance1 is instinctively dramatic4 ,indeed6 ,yes4 ,oh yes6 ,i know what ,i'm saying4 ,i've studied them all4 ,more than once1 when my ,soul has been communing with your ,august ,spirit1 ,i have watched ,horatio's dramatic contrast from the corner of my eyes4 ,again the ,prophet smiled4 ,the contrast frequents the chapel then8 ,frequents8 ,undoubtedly4 ,horatio has literally swept her into the fold4 ,she was here to-night to bend the knee to you4 ,a look of recollection crossed the ,prophet's eyes4 ,to-night8 he said4 ,not the woman who sat beside him8 ,the woman with the big eyes8 ,she and ,bale-,corphew6 ,the idea is absurd6 ,undeniable1 nevertheless4 ,i have deduced the story4 ,the lady is a widow--no relations--too much freedom--vague aspirations after the ideal4 ,she has sounded society and found it too shallow2 sounded philosophy and found it too deep2 and upon her horizon of desires and disappointments has loomed the colossal presence of ,bale-,corphew--enthusiast1 mystic1 leader of a fascinatingly unorthodox sect4 ,what is the result8 ,the lady--too feminine to be truly modern1 too modern to be wholly womanly--is viewing life through new glasses1 and by their medium seeing ,horatio invested with a halo otherwise invisible4 ,the ,prophet remained quiet and silent2 then he rose slowly from his seat and walked round the table4 ,devereaux1 he said1 laconically1 only the ,prophet is going to wear a halo here4 ,the ,precursor's sharply marked1 expressive eyebrows went up in quick comment4 ,can even a latter-day ,prophet afford autocracy8 ,for a space the ,prophet made no response2 then he took a step forward and laid his hand impressively on his friend's shoulder4 ,devereaux1 he said1 in a new voice--a voice that unconsciously held something of the command that had marked it in the chapel--the ,prophet of the ,mystics has come to rule4 ,he has not come to follow the laws that others--that men like ,bale-,corphew--have seen fit to make4 ,he has come to be a law unto himself6 ,,chapter ,v ,it is astonishing in how short a space of time a man of vigorous character can make his personality felt4 ,on the night of his mysterious advent1 the ,prophet had found his people in a condition of mental chaos--as liable to repudiate as to accept the seeker for their confidence2 but before one month had passed he had1 by domination of will1 so moulded this neurotic mass of humanity that his own position had gradually and insensibly merged from suppliant into that of autocrat4 ,without a murmur of doubt or dissension the ,mystics had proclaimed him their king4 ,on the last day of the thirty he sat alone in his room--the room in which he and the red-haired ,precursor had held their private council on the night of his coming4 ,the heavy purple curtains that shielded the windows were partly drawn1 throwing a subdued1 almost a devotional1 light over the wide1 imposing apartment and across the ebony table1 on which rested the sacred ,scitsym1 surrounded by an array of smaller and more ancient books1 several rolls of parchment1 a number of quill pens1 and a dish of ink4 ,it was at this table that the ,prophet sat2 he wore the monastic white robe that he always affected in presence of his people1 his arms were folded1 and his face looked calm and grave1 as though he appreciated the moment's solitude4 ,the solitude1 however1 was not destined to endure4 ,the soft booming of a gong presently roused him to attention1 and a moment later the door of the apartment opened and an ascetic-looking man1 whose duty and privilege it was to wait upon him1 entered deferentially4 ,he stood for a moment in an attitude of profound abasement2 then he stepped forward and stood beside the table4 ,master1 he said1 in a low voice4 ,the newest among us would speak with you6 ,the ,prophet raised his head and a gleam of interest crossed his eyes2 but almost immediately he subdued the look4 ,i am willing1 he replied1 unemotionally1 in the usual formula4 ,then he glanced at his attendant4 ,after this1 the audiences for the day are over1 he added4 ,the man bowed1 and with awe-struck deference moved silently from the room1 almost immediately reappearing1 to usher in the devotee1 and with the same conscious air of mystery1 to retire1 closing the heavy door4 ,for a moment the new-comer stood just inside the threshold4 ,as on the night of the ,prophet's coming1 she wore a long1 black dress that accentuated her height and grace1 and brought into prominence the clear pallor of her skin and the remarkable luminous brilliance of her eyes4 ,a struggle between superstitious dread and human curiosity was distinctly visible in her expression as she stood uncertain of her position1 doubtful as to her first move4 ,the ,prophet glanced at her1 and the shadow of a smile touched his lips4 ,have no fear1 he said4 ,come forward6 ,the strong1 steady voice gave her courage1 and with slightly agitated haste she stepped towards the table4 ,the ,prophet gravely motioned her to a seat and assumed an attitude of attention4 ,upon each of the thirty mornings he had sat in this same position in his ivory chair1 while1 one after another1 the members of the sect had claimed audience with him4 ,morning after morning he had exhibited the same grave1 aloof interest--his hands clasped1 his eyes upon the ,scitsym--while the fearful1 the fanatical1 the hysterical had poured forth their tales of struggle or aspiration4 ,but now1 on this last morning1 he was conscious of a new suggestion1 a new impression in what had grown to be routine4 ,this last aspirant for spiritual light was neither fanatical nor hysterical1 was scarcely even imbued with fear4 ,something within his brain responded to the idea1 to the reassuring human curiosity that gleamed in her eyes4 ,he found himself waiting for her first words with an impatience that no other member of the congregation had aroused4 ,but the wait was long--disconcertingly long4 ,the aspirant glanced uncertainly about the room1 as if unwilling or unable to break into speech2 then at last she raised her head1 and1 with an effort1 met the ,prophet's eyes4 ,i'm terribly nervous6 she said1 in an irresistibly feminine voice4 ,the effect upon her hearer was instantaneous4 ,the distant and spiritual aloofness1 so easy to assume in the presence of the credulous1 became suddenly a matter of impossibility4 ,with a quiet dignity that had more of masculine protectiveness than of mystical inspiration he turned to her afresh4 ,have no fear6 he answered1 gently4 ,my only desire is to help you4 ,tell me everything that is in your mind4 ,she leaned forward quickly4 ,you--you are most kind-- she began4 ,then again she halted4 ,but he took no notice of her embarrassment4 ,why have you never come before8 he asked4 ,had you no doubts to be set at rest8 ,he spoke so quietly that her nervousness forsook her1 and with a swift impulse she glanced up at him4 ,i--,i think ,i was afraid1 she said1 candidly4 ,you see1 ,i am not exactly one of the others-- ,you did not quite believe that the ,one you had waited for had really come8 ,his voice was low and tinged with some inscrutable meaning4 ,oh no6 ,no2 it was not that4 ,before you came1 ,i confess ,i was sceptical2 ,i confess ,i did not believe that any one would come1 that there was any truth--any real meaning--in the sect4 ,but then--when you did come-- ,the ,prophet lifted his head4 ,when ,i did come8 he asked1 sharply4 ,the whole thing was different-- ,the whole thing was different8 he repeated1 slowly and meditatively4 ,by a curious process of suggestion and recollection1 something of his own experiences in the realm of mental upheaval rose with her words4 ,he studied the pale face and brilliant eyes with a fresh and more intimate interest4 ,the whole thing was different8 he said once more1 in his slow1 deep voice4 ,the warm color flooded her face4 ,yes1 she admitted4 ,yes4 ,you seemed the one real person--the one sane thing in the whole ceremony4 ,i felt--,i knew that you were--strong4 ,she paused1 alarmed at her own timidity2 and again their eyes met4 ,and why have you never come to me before8 ,he had no particular meaning in the question2 he was only conscious of an inexplicable wish to prolong the interview4 ,oh1 ,i don't know--,i scarcely know4 ,again she spoke quickly and nervously4 ,i have come every night to hear you speak--,i have loved to hear you speak4 ,but--but to be alone with you-- ,she paused1 expressively4 ,it is all so strange--so extraordinary4 ,it doesn't seem to belong to the present day-- ,she looked up at him in appealing perplexity4 ,and why did you come now8 ,why8 ,oh1 because--because ,i could not stay away4 ,for the first time the ,prophet was conscious of a tremor of discomfiture2 for the first time the spectacle of his fraud1 as seen from a point of view other than his own1 touched him unpleasantly4 ,he moved slightly in his massive chair4 ,in this life1 he said1 with a sudden1 almost incontinent assumption of his ,prophetic manner1 we must be ever careful to distinguish the ,wine from the ,vessel that contains it4 ,i endeavor1 with all the ,power ,i am possessed of1 to impress upon my ,people that ,i have come1 not to be the ,way1 but to show the ,way6 ,to teach you all that what you seek in me1 is in each one of you4 ,every man is his own ,prophet1 if he but knew it6 ,as he spoke he turned his eyes upon the ,scitsym1 and the hard1 inscrutable look that so dominated his followers descended upon his face4 ,as he reached the last words1 he glanced again at his companion1 but as his eyes rested on her face he paused disconcerted4 ,she was gazing at him with a candid1 spontaneous admiration infinitely more human and infinitely more irresistible than the neurotic adoration that was daily lavished on him4 ,with an odd1 inexplicable sense of guilt1 he rose quickly from his seat4 ,do not forget--do not allow yourself to forget that this is my teaching1 he said4 ,that you have each within yourselves the thing you demand in me4 ,look for it within yourselves6 ,rely upon yourselves6 ,as he ceased1 she also rose4 ,she was pale1 and trembled slightly4 ,but if one cannot follow that teaching8 she asked4 ,if one longs to rely upon some one else8 ,if one cannot rely upon one's self8 ,the ,prophet made no answer4 ,he stood with one hand resting on the table1 his gaze fixed upon the book4 ,emboldened by his silence1 she approached him by a step4 ,i think ,i could believe-- she murmured4 ,i think ,i could believe--anything1 if ,i might learn it from you4 ,she paused pleadingly2 then1 as he still stood unresponsive1 the color rushed again into her face4 ,i--,i have been presumptuous1 she said4 ,i have offended you4 ,something in her tone1 in her charming unaffected humility stung him4 ,for the first time in his career as ,prophet1 the blood surged hotly and painfully into his face4 ,do not say that6 he began1 impulsively2 then he checked himself4 ,i am here to teach my ,people1 he added4 ,all my ,people--without exception4 ,for one moment she studied his face half doubtfully2 then at last her own emotions conquered her doubt4 ,then ,i may come again8 ,he did not reply at once2 and when at last his words did come1 his voice was unusually irresolute and low4 ,you may come--at any time1 he said1 without meeting her eyes4 ,,chapter ,,vi ,so it came about that the serpent of misgiving entered into the ,prophet's paradise4 ,with ,enid ,witcherley's words1 the realization of his true position had been unpleasantly suggested to him1 and the grain of doubt had been scattered over the banquet he had set himself to enjoy4 ,it was one thing to fool men who yearned to be fooled--even to fool women whose peculiarities set them apart from their sex2 but it was indisputably another matter to dupe a young and confiding girl1 who came with all the fascination of modern doubt1 counterbalanced by the charm of feminine credulity4 ,long after she left him1 he had paced up and down the room in perplexity of spirit1 until at last1 with a sudden contempt for his own weakness1 he had turned to where the white binding of the ,scitsym caught the subdued light4 ,the sight of the book had nerved him1 as it never failed to do2 but for all his regained firmness1 the sense of uneasy shame had remained with him during the day2 and that night1 when he addressed his people1 he had instinctively guarded his glance from resting on the seats that fronted the ,sanctuary4 ,but now that first interview was past by three weeks1 and ,enid's daily visits to the great room where he gave audience to the congregation had become one of the recognized events of the twenty-four hours4 ,the sense of shame returned periodically2 but on each renewal of the feeling he salved his conscience more and more successfully with the assurance that to her1 as to himself1 the ,mystics were in reality nothing but the products of a neurotic age--mere hysterical dabblers in the truths of the universe4 ,she was too delicately feminine1 he told himself with growing conviction1 too intelligent and self-controlled1 to be more than temporarily attracted to any such exotic creed4 ,she might toy with it for a while1 but the day must inevitably dawn when common-sense and the need of surer things would send her back into the broad channel of simple1 satisfying ,christianity4 ,for a space this unnatural state of things would last2 for a space their curious companionship would continue--their long1 intimate talks would make life something new and wonderful2 then--,but there1 for some unexplained reason1 speculation invariably stopped4 ,so things stood on the fiftieth morning after her first coming4 ,the stream of suppliants for his favor was all but exhausted1 and he awaited to give the last audience of the day4 ,after the moment of quiet and solitude that always separated the interviews1 the sonorous gong announced the last visitor2 the silent1 ascetic attendant threw open the door and ,enid entered4 ,this time she displayed none of the hesitancy that had marked her early manner4 ,she came towards the table with quick1 assured steps1 her face bright with anticipation4 ,as she approached1 the ,prophet rose4 ,it was remarkable that he no longer retained his sitting position when she entered the room1 as was his custom with the other members of the sect4 ,involuntarily and almost unconsciously he extended to her the ordinary courtesies that man instinctively offers to woman4 ,as she reached the table1 she glanced up at him1 and something of the pleasure died out of her face4 ,you look tired1 she said1 softly4 ,he smiled4 ,does that disappoint you8 ,his tone confused her4 ,oh no6 ,no6 ,then she colored slightly and glanced at him again4 ,why do you ask8 ,because it is the way of humanity to refuse any common weakness to its leaders--spiritual or temporal4 ,again a wave of color crossed her skin4 ,but surely-- ,surely what8 ,she glanced away2 then1 seeming to gather up her courage1 she looked back at him4 ,i mean1 she said1 slowly1 that some people are so strong that they may be allowed to have anything-- ,even weaknesses-- ,once more he smiled4 ,it was significant how1 gradually and indisputably1 the tone of teacher had dropped out of his conversation4 ,neither could have told the date on which the change had occurred--perhaps neither was conscious that it had even taken place4 ,but the fact remained that1 with her1 he no longer felt compelled to hold aloof2 that1 with her1 he had discarded the allegorical manner of speech1 and had begun to show himself as he naturally was4 ,even weaknesses8 he said again1 as she made no attempt to answer4 ,at the words her eyes once more met his4 ,yes1 she said1 with new resolution--yes1 even weaknesses4 ,i often think that it is because you are so--so human that you hold us as you do4 ,it seems right that a ,prophet should belong to the people he has come to teach4 ,all the prophets of the world have essentially belonged to their own times4 ,if you had sat upon the ,throne all day and communed with your ,soul1 ,i should have been very much afraid of you2 but ,i should never have believed in you as ,i do now1 when you talk to me and advise me and help me like--like a friend4 ,her voice trembled slightly4 ,a peculiar expression crossed the ,prophet's face4 ,so ,i seem a--friend8 ,more than a friend4 ,i can never tell you what you have been to me--what you have done for me4 ,i have never been so happy--so satisfied in my life1 as in these last three weeks4 ,every disappointment and dissatisfaction seems to have slipped away2 ,i seem to have been living in some calm1 beautiful1 restful atmosphere-- ,she paused1 her face as well as her voice tinged with a subtle excitement4 ,it may be very selfish1 but ,i wish that these days could go on forever4 ,i know that1 for you1 they are only a probation2 that you must crave for the moment when1 having taught us everything1 you will go out into the world and teach the ,unbelievers4 ,i know all that1 and ,i know it is only right1 but--but ,i hate to think of it6 ,a sudden break came in her voice4 ,you hate to think that all this must end8 ,again their eyes met2 but1 as though the contact of glances embarrassed her1 ,enid looked away4 ,yes1 ,i do hate it4 ,do you despise me for being so selfish--so jealous of those other people who will take our place8 ,for a moment the ,prophet made no reply4 ,in the dim light of the room1 the muscles of his hard face looked set2 his strong hands were clasped4 ,do you despise me8 she asked again4 ,it is not for me to judge any one--you least of all1 he answered1 without looking at her4 ,at the subdued tone1 the unexpected words1 she turned to him apprehensively4 ,you are angry with me8 ,indeed1 no4 ,then what is it8 ,what have ,i done--or said8 ,he remained silent4 ,in her sudden distress she leaned forward in her chair1 looking into his face with new solicitude4 ,i know--,i feel that ,i have displeased you4 ,won't you tell me what ,i have done8 ,as she put the question1 she laid one gloved hand upon the table2 and though the ,prophet's eyes were fixed upon the ,scitsym1 he was conscious in every fibre of the appeal the unstudied gesture made--as he was poignantly conscious of the clear eyes1 the soft dark hair1 the questioning upturned face4 ,for an interminable time the silence remained unbroken2 at last1 with a little sound of fresh distress1 ,enid bent still nearer4 ,oh1 ,i understand6 she exclaimed4 ,i understand6 ,you think ,i have taken advantage of your goodness4 ,you think ,i have imagined that1 because you are kind and patient and tolerant1 ,i might look upon you as--as a man4 ,as she said the word she paused1 frightened by her own timidity4 ,but as suddenly the ,prophet wheeled round and laid his fingers over hers4 ,the pressure of his hand was like steel1 the expression of his face was altered and disturbed4 ,if you only knew-- he said1 sharply--if you only knew how ,i have longed to hear you say just that one word man6 ,he paused almost triumphantly1 his eyes searching her frightened face1 his fingers gripping hers4 ,for an instant she sat petrified and fascinated2 then a faint sound of alarm escaped her1 and she turned towards the door4 ,without the formality of the announcing gong1 two men had entered the room1 and stood silent spectators of the tableau4 ,one was ,devereaux1 the ,precursor2 the other was ,horatio ,bale-,corphew4 ,for one embarrassed moment all four looked at each other2 then the ,precursor hastened to save the situation4 ,he made a long1 profound obeisance1 and stepped deferentially to the table4 ,your pardon1 ,master6 he murmured4 ,we knew not that the immutable ,soul was speaking from within you1 calling one among us towards the ,light6 ,he glanced quickly over his shoulder to where the massive form and agitated face of ,bale-,corphew was framed in the doorway4 ,at his peremptory look the ,arch-,mystic seemed to gather himself together4 ,stepping forward1 he made a slightly tardy reverence4 ,master1 he said1 huskily1 what the ,precursor tells you is the truth4 ,seeing the threshold unguarded1 we concluded that the audiences for the day were over4 ,his prominent brown eyes were filled with conflicting expressions as he turned them on the ,prophet4 ,but the ,prophet remained unmoved4 ,the hard look had returned to his face1 the stern rigidity to his figure4 ,very slowly he released the hand that still trembled under his own4 ,the time of the ,prophet belongs to his ,people1 he said1 with dignity4 ,he holds audience whenever1 wherever1 and however it is expedient4 ,speak1 my son6 ,in what can ,i serve you8 ,bale-,corphew looked at him in silence4 ,whatever he had come to say appeared to have escaped his mind4 ,for a while inaction reigned in the room2 then1 with a pale face and nervous manner1 ,enid rose1 bowed to the ,prophet1 and moved noiselessly to the door4 ,all three watched her until she had disappeared2 then ,bale-,corphew found voice again4 ,master1 he murmured1 hurriedly1 with your permission1 ,i also would leave the ,presence2 and with a perturbed gesture1 he too bowed and passed out of the room4 ,,chapter ,,vii ,on a crisp1 cold afternoon1 one week after her interview with the ,prophet1 ,enid ,witcherley sat in the drawing-room of her ,london flat4 ,the early portion of the day had been pleasantly warmed and brightened by the pale ,march sunshine2 but at three o'clock a searching wind had begun to blow across the city from the east2 and now1 as the small gold clock on her bureau chimed the hour of five1 she rose from the couch where she had been sitting1 and1 crossing the room with a little shiver1 drew a chair to the fire and pressed the electric bell4 ,as the maid appeared1 in answer to her summons1 she gave her order without looking round4 ,tea1 ,norris6 she said1 in an unusually curt and laconic voice4 ,for a considerable time after the maid's departure she sat motionless1 her hands stretched out towards the blazing logs1 her large eyes absently watching the firelight on her many and beautiful rings4 ,when the woman reappeared1 and1 noiselessly arranging the tea-table1 moved it to her side1 she scarcely glanced up2 and to the most superficial observer it would have been patent that her own thoughts and speculations fully absorbed her mind4 ,she retained her contemplative attitude after the servant had withdrawn for the second time1 and it is doubtful how long she would have remained sunk in apparent lethargy had not the unexpected sound of the hall-door bell caused her to start into an upright position with a little exclamation of surprise and impatience4 ,as she sat listening with nervous intentness1 the door opened1 and once more ,norris appeared4 ,after a second's hesitation she crossed to her mistress4 ,there's a gentleman at the door1 ma'am1 she said1 deprecatingly4 ,enid looked up1 a frown still darkening her forehead4 ,i told you ,i was not at home4 ,i know1 ma'am1 but-- ,norris hesitated4 ,but what8 ,i told you ,i was not to be disturbed4 ,i won't be disturbed4 ,with a gesture plainly indicative of high-strung nerves1 she turned to the table and poured herself out a cup of tea4 ,the maid glanced behind her towards the door4 ,but the gentleman won't go1 ma'am-- ,won't go6 ,in her surprise ,enid laid down the cup she had been about to raise to her lips4 ,who is he8 she demanded4 ,norris looked down4 ,i don't know1 ma'am4 ,i told him you were not at home1 but he won't go4 ,he's the sort of gentleman who won't take no for an answer4 ,i don't understand you4 ,who is he8 ,what is he like8 ,unconsciously and involuntarily ,enid's tone quickened4 ,something in the woman's words--something undefined and yet suggestive--stirred and agitated her4 ,norris seemed to choose her words4 ,well1 ma'am1 she answered1 slowly1 he's very tall--and not like any other gentleman that comes here4 ,i can't rightly explain it1 miss1 he seems used to having his own way-- ,as she halted1 uncertain how to choose her words1 ,enid rose nervously4 ,she could not have defined her emotions1 but some feeling at once vague and portentous was working in her mind4 ,did he give no name8 ,no1 ma'am4 ,i was to say that he was some one that must be seen4 ,he'd give no name4 ,for a further instant ,enid was silent1 conscious of nothing but her own unsteady pulses2 then suddenly she turned almost angrily upon the servant4 ,show him in6 she cried4 ,show him in at once6 ,don't keep him standing at the door4 ,in some confusion ,norris turned and walked across the room4 ,at the doorway she paused and looked back4 ,will you have the lights on1 ma'am8 ,no4 ,no2 the fire makes light enough4 ,i like twilight and a fire4 ,don't stand waiting6 ,the woman departed2 and for a space that seemed to her interminable1 ,enid stood beside the fireplace1 motionless with hope1 dread1 and an almost uncontrollable nervousness4 ,at last1 as in a dream1 she saw the door open and the tall1 characteristic figure of the ,prophet move into the room4 ,she was vaguely aware that he halted for a moment1 as if undecided as to his action1 while ,norris retired1 softly closing the door4 ,then1 with a sudden leap of the heart1 she was conscious that he was coming towards her across the shadowed room4 ,he moved straight forward until he was close beside her2 and1 with one of his decisive1 imperious gestures1 he put out both hands and caught hers4 ,it was a case of ,mohammed and the mountain6 he said1 in his grave voice4 ,you wouldn't come to me2 ,i had to come to you4 ,no sound escaped her4 ,she stood before him mutely1 her face paling and flushing1 her hands fluttering in his4 ,there was a slight pause2 and again he bent towards her4 ,why have you stayed away8 ,she hesitated for a moment1 spellbound by her emotion2 then1 making a sudden effort1 she looked up4 ,i--,i was afraid4 ,her voice was so low and shaken that the words were a mere whisper4 ,afraid8 ,afraid of what8 ,she made no answer4 ,of what8 ,of ,bale-,corphew8 ,he gave a slight1 sarcastic laugh4 ,no6 ,she looked up sharply4 ,oh no6 ,then of what8 ,of me8 ,his voice suddenly sank1 and the pressure of his fingers tightened4 ,no6 ,oh1 ,i don't know6 ,i don't know6 ,with a tremulous gesture she tried to withdraw her hands4 ,at the movement1 he suddenly drew her towards him4 ,tell me6 he said4 ,i want to know4 ,i must know6 ,for the first time since he had entered the room1 her glance rested fully on his face4 ,the light was uncertain1 but as her gaze concentrated itself1 a new look--a look of wonder and alarm--sprang across her eyes4 ,in the seven days since they had spoken together1 a change had fallen on him4 ,some alteration she could not define had grown into his expression2 the cold mastery of himself and others was still visible2 but a new emotion had insensibly been created--something powerful and even dominant--for which she could find no name4 ,with a sharp1 instinctive alarm1 her lips parted4 ,what is it8 she said1 apprehensively4 ,why are you here8 ,the time has not come for you to go out into the world8 ,a faintly ironic smile flitted across his lips4 ,surely1 if one is a ,prophet1 one can alter even prophecies4 ,he said the words deliberately1 looking down into her face4 ,the tone1 the intentional flippancy of the words1 came to her with a shock4 ,it was as if1 by considered action1 he had set about jeopardizing his own dignity4 ,a chill of undefined apprehension blew across her mind like a cold wind4 ,i--,i don't understand1 she stammered4 ,how did you get here8 ,how did you get away8 ,again his keen eyes searched hers4 ,as for getting away1 he said1 slowly1 when a ,prophet has a ,precursor1 he should be able to arrange these things4 ,five o'clock is a dull hour at ,hellier ,crescent4 ,the ,arch-,mystics are perusing the ,scitsym2 the ,precursor is guarding the sacred threshold of the ,prophet2 the ,prophet is--presumably--communing with his ,soul4 ,the routine of this evening differs in no way from the routine of any other evening--except that the ,precursor is rather more than usually vigilant in his watch4 ,again the forced flippancy was apparent2 and to ,enid1 staring at him with wide1 perplexed eyes1 there was something inexplicable and alarming in this new and unfamiliar attitude4 ,with a tremor of foreboding1 her glance travelled over his face4 ,has anything happened8 she asked4 ,have the ,people done wrong8 ,have you--have you been called elsewhere8 ,at the last dread possibility her voice faltered4 ,but the ,prophet stood cold and almost rigid4 ,at last1 by an immense effort1 he seemed to gather himself together for some tremendous end4 ,enid1 he said1 gravely1 ,i don't know how much you know of life1 but ,i presume you know very little4 ,i presume that--and shall act on the presumption4 ,i shall not expect--even ask--any leniency of you4 ,i came here this evening to tell you something that will alter your opinion of me so effectually that nothing hereafter can reinstate me in your mind4 ,he spoke slowly and deliberately1 without tremor or falter4 ,whatever of struggle lay behind his words1 it lay with the past4 ,it was evident as he stood there in the pretty1 luxurious room1 that he possessed a purpose1 and that he held to it without thought of a retrograde step4 ,i have come to make a confession1 he said1 quietly4 ,not because ,i believe in the habit of unburdening one's conscience1 but because there is something you have a right to know-- ,i--8 ,a right to know8 ,her lips paled4 ,yes4 ,a right to know4 ,with a sudden access of feeling he dropped her hands and turned towards the window1 where the last glimmer of the wintry twilight showed through the soft silk curtains4 ,i am putting myself in your hands1 he said1 steadily4 ,i am jeopardizing myself utterly by what ,i am going to say2 but it seems to me the only way by which ,i can make--well1 can patch up some poor amends-- ,i may be presumptuous1 but ,i believe--,i think--that ,i have stood for something in your eyes4 ,he turned and looked at her4 ,but in the mingled dusk and firelight only the pale outline of her face was visible4 ,enid6 he cried1 with sudden resolution1 it must be faced4 ,it must be said4 ,i'm not what you think me4 ,i'm a fraud--a lie--an impostor4 ,no more a ,prophet--no more inspired than you--or ,bale-,corphew6 ,he stopped abruptly and drew a slow1 deep breath4 ,the pause that followed was long and strained4 ,in the grip of strong emotions1 each stood rigid1 striving vainly to read the other's face4 ,at last1 goaded by the silence1 he spoke again4 ,you have done this6 he cried4 ,you have compelled me to tell you6 ,i came to these people2 ,i duped them--and gloried in duping them4 ,i despised them1 understood them1 traded on them without a scruple4 ,then you came4 ,you came--and the scheme was shattered4 ,the whole thing1 that had bubbled and sparkled1 became suddenly like flat champagne4 ,that is a common simile1 but it is descriptive4 ,the acting of an actor depends upon his audience4 ,while my audience was composed of fools1 ,i fooled them2 but when you came--you with your scepticism1 your curiosity1 your feminine dependency--,i lost my cue4 ,i became conscious of the footlights and the make-up4 ,again he paused2 and again he endeavored to read her face4 ,his manner was still restrained1 but below his calm were the stirrings of a deep agitation4 ,there was tense anxiety in the set of his lips1 an inordinate anticipation in the keenness of his eyes4 ,for a space he stood waiting2 then1 as she made no effort towards response1 he stepped to her side4 ,say something6 he exclaimed4 ,speak to me6 ,i am waiting for you to speak4 ,with a low1 frightened murmur she drew back1 extending her hands1 as if to ward him off4 ,the sound and the movement stung him to action4 ,with a speed that might have been construed into fear1 he came still nearer4 ,enid6 he said4 ,enid6 ,but again she retreated involuntarily4 ,oh1 why did you do it8 she exclaimed1 suddenly1 in a faint1 shaken voice4 ,oh1 why did you do it8 ,why did you do it8 ,for an instant her tone and her manner daunted him2 then he straightened his body and raised his head4 ,i did it for what is reckoned the most sordid motive in the world1 he said1 in a level voice4 ,i did it for money6 ,for money8 ,with a scared movement she turned upon him1 and for the first time since he had made his revelation1 he saw her pale1 alarmed1 incredulous face in the full light of the fire4 ,i was wronged6 he said1 sharply4 ,these people had defrauded me4 ,i wanted what was justly mine4 ,wanted8 ,the word formed itself almost inarticulately4 ,yes2 wanted4 ,wanted with all my might4 ,i have worked1 schemed1 suffered for this in ways you could never imagine4 ,i thought myself invincible4 ,i believed that if the devil himself stood in my way it would not deter me4 ,and now you--a frail girl--have wrecked the scheme6 ,he paused again1 leaning towards her in sudden unconscious appeal for comprehension4 ,i won't say it hasn't been a struggle to come to you like this--to make my confession4 ,it has4 ,my conscience and ,i have been struggling night and day4 ,i have held out to the last4 ,it was only to-day--this very day--when ,i woke to face the crisis of my plans1 that ,i knew ,i was beaten--knew the fight was over4 ,and do you understand why this has happened8 ,do you know why ,i am going away as empty-handed as ,i came8 ,it is because ,i have seen you--because ,i love you-- ,he put out his hands4 ,but as his fingers touched her1 she thrust him away1 freeing herself with fierce resentment4 ,don't6 don't6 don't6 she cried4 ,you call yourself an impostor--,you are worse than that4 ,much worse4 ,you are a thief6 ,he stepped back as though she had struck him1 and his hands dropped to his sides4 ,yes1 you are a thief6 she said again1 hysterically2 a thief6 ,the repetition of the word goaded him4 ,wait6 ,let me defend myself6 ,but with a broken sound of protest she flung her hands over her ears4 ,no6 no6 no6 she cried1 vehemently4 ,there is no defence to make4 ,there is no defence4 ,you may leave the money of the sect1 but you have stolen things that can never be replaced4 ,faith--hopes--ideals-- ,her voice failed her4 ,mistaken faith--mistaken ideals-- ,he caught her wrists1 drawing her hands downward4 ,but again she freed herself and confronted him with blazing eyes and a face marred by tears and emotion4 ,nothing is mistaken that lifts one up--that helps one to live4 ,oh1 you don't knew what you have done6 ,you don't know6 ,i thought you so noble--so great--and now-- ,now ,i am condemned unheard4 ,unheard8 ,do you think words could change anything8 ,there is only one thing ,i wish for now--never1 never to see you again as long as either of us live6 ,with each word her voice rose1 and on the last it broke with an excited sob4 ,while she had been speaking the ,prophet's face had become very pale4 ,he turned to her now with a manner that was preternaturally quiet4 ,very well6 he said4 ,i understand6 ,but there is no need for you to trouble4 ,all our arrangements are made--have been made for months4 ,we attend the ,gathering to-night2 and afterwards1 when ,hellier ,crescent is quiet1 we go--as unobtrusively as we came4 ,you see ,i give you the key to our plans2 you are free to frustrate them1 if you think fit4 ,i don't believe ,i had any real hope of merciful judgment when ,i came here--women are not merciful when they are robbed of their illusions4 ,but ,i confess ,i hoped for justice4 ,i thought that you might hate me-- ,hate you8 she cried4 ,hate you8 ,we only hate what we respect4 ,i don't hate you4 ,i only despise you with all my heart4 ,i want you to go before ,i despise myself as well6 ,her own cruel disillusioning--her own unbearable sense of loss--swept over her afresh2 her voice rose again1 and again broke hysterically4 ,with an uncontrolled movement of grief and mortification she turned away from him and threw herself upon a couch1 burying her face in the pillows4 ,for several minutes she cried tempestuously2 then through the storm of her angry tears she caught the sound of a closing door4 ,with a start she sat up and looked about her4 ,the faint relic of daylight still showed through the curtains of the window2 the firelight still played pleasantly on the untouched tea-table and the fragile furniture2 but the room was empty4 ,the ,prophet was gone4 ,,chapter ,,viii ,when she realized this fact1 ,enid rose from her seat with a murmur of dismay4 ,in her sharply feminine sense of loss1 she took one involuntary step towards the door2 but almost as the step was taken1 her anger1 her shattered faith assailed her anew1 and1 with a fresh burst of tears she turned and flung herself back upon the couch4 ,for a long time she lay with her face among the pillows2 then1 at last1 as her angry sobs died out and the violence of her grief subsided1 she sat up1 wiped her eyes1 and glanced at her dripping handkerchief4 ,illustration3 ,,with ,a ,,fresh ,,burst ,,of ,,tears1 ,,she ,,turned ,,and ,,flung ,,herself ,,upon ,,the ,,couch ,at sight of the handkerchief--a mere wisp of wet cambric--her sense of injury stung her afresh1 and once more her lips began to quiver2 but fate had decided against further tears4 ,before her grief had gathered force1 the bell of the hall-door sounded once more long and loudly2 and hard upon the sound the door of the room opened4 ,with a start of confusion she sprang to her feet1 and turned to confront ,norris1 standing at a discreet distance1 with an apologetic manner and downcast eyes4 ,mr4 ,bale-,corphew1 ma'am1 she murmured1 as ,enid looked at her4 ,i told him you were not at home2 but he said he would wait till whenever he could see you1 it didn't matter how long4 ,with a little cry of dismay and annoyance1 ,enid put her hands to her disordered hair4 ,oh1 how stupid of you6 she cried1 tremulously4 ,you know ,i can't see him4 ,you know ,i won't see him4 ,tell him ,i'm out--ill--anything you can think of-- ,but her voice suddenly faltered1 and her words ended in a gasp1 as she glanced from the servant to the door1 which had abruptly reopened1 displaying the face and figure of ,bale-,corphew himself4 ,without hesitation he had entered the room2 and without hesitation he walked straight towards her4 ,forgive me6 he exclaimed4 ,i know this must seem unpardonable2 but the occasion is without precedent4 ,may ,i speak with you alone8 ,in the moment of his entry1 and during his hurried greeting1 ,enid had mastered her agitation4 ,she looked at him now with an attempt at calmness4 ,certainly1 if you have anything to say4 ,in the excitement under which he was obviously laboring1 he did not observe the coldness of the granted permission4 ,he waited with ill-concealed impatience until ,norris had withdrawn1 then he turned to her afresh4 ,mrs4 ,witcherley6 he cried1 you see before you an outraged man6 ,he made the announcement fiercely and theatrically2 but1 to any ear1 it would have been evident that1 below the instinctive desire for dramatic effect1 his voice trembled with genuine agitation--his speech was charged with violent feeling4 ,to ,enid1 watching him with surprise and curiosity1 it was patent at a glance that some circumstance1 strange in its occurrence or vital in its issue1 had shaken him to the base of his emotional nature4 ,and as she looked at him her own coldness1 her own humiliation1 suddenly forsook her4 ,what is it8 she cried1 involuntarily4 ,what is it8 ,something has happened8 ,for one moment his answer was delayed--held back by the torrent of words that rushed to his lips2 then1 at last1 as his tongue freed itself1 he threw out his hands in a fierce gesture4 ,outrage6 ,outrage and sacrilege6 he cried4 ,we have been duped--deceived--tricked4 ,we1 the ,chosen--the ,elect6 ,duped8 ,deceived8 ,she echoed the words1 faintly4 ,what do you mean8 ,what has happened8 ,everything6 ,everything6 ,again he threw out his hands4 ,this man that we have called ,prophet--this man that we have bent the knee to--he is nothing2 nothing-- ,once more emotion overpowered his words4 ,nothing8 ,enid's voice was indistinct1 her tongue dry4 --,nothing but an impostor6 ,an impostor6 ,a thief6 ,he spoke loudly--even violently4 ,to his listener it seemed that his voice rang out1 filling the room1 filling the street outside1 filling the whole world4 ,as she had done in the ,prophet's presence1 she raised her hands and pressed them over her ears4 ,but1 even through her fingers1 his tones came loud and penetrating4 ,an impostor6 he cried1 again4 ,a liar6 ,a blasphemer6 ,her hands dropped from her face4 ,stop6 ,stop6 she cried1 weakly4 ,but he was beyond appeal4 ,you must hear6 he cried4 ,it is ordained4 ,you have been the unwitting instrument by which the man has fallen4 ,i8 ,i8 ,the instrument8 ,she stared at him with wide eyes and a white face4 ,yes1 you6 ,he stepped to her side4 ,without you1 suspicion would never have been aroused4 ,without you1 he might have carried out his base designs4 ,it was the power of the ,unseen that guided me on the day ,i entered the ,presence ,room and found you alone with him4 ,he spoke hurriedly and disjointedly1 but as the last word left his lips another expression crossed his face1 as though a new suggestion passed through his mind4 ,did you see nothing strange in that ,audience8 he demanded4 ,did you see nothing strange in the fact that he--a ,prophet of ,sublime ,mysteries--should hold your hand1 as any man of the earth might hold it8 ,he bent still closer1 jealousy and suspicion darkening his face4 ,enid glanced at him fearfully4 ,no6 ,no6 she said1 sharply4 ,i--saw nothing strange4 ,he was the ,prophet4 ,bale-,corphew's face relaxed4 ,ah6 he said1 slowly4 ,i believe you4 ,but1 if you were blind1 ,i saw4 ,he paused and passed his handkerchief over his face4 ,cold as the day was1 drops of perspiration stood upon his forehead4 ,i saw4 ,and from that hour the man was lost4 ,lost8 ,yes1 lost4 ,he laughed excitedly2 and to ,enid the laugh sounded singularly unpleasant1 sharp1 and cruel4 ,from that day we have watched him--we1 the ,six4 ,we have watched him and his friend--the dog who has dared to desecrate the name of ,precursor4 ,we have watched them night and day2 we have seen them1 listened to them hour after hour1 while they believed themselves unobserved--8 ,and what do you know8 ,what have you learned8 ,there was a strange faintness in the tone of her voice4 ,everything4 ,only yesterday we touched the key-stone of their scheme4 ,to-night--this very night--they have planned an escape4 ,they will attend as usual in the ,place2 they will fool us as they have fooled us before2 and then1 when the house is quiet--when the ,six are at rest1 exhausted by prayer and meditation--they will accomplish their vile work4 ,they will plunder the ,treasury of the ,unseen6 ,oh no6 ,no6 ,with a swift movement she turned to him4 ,he looked at her for an instant1 of silence1 and then again the unpleasant1 excited laugh escaped him4 ,you are right1 he cried1 suddenly4 ,what you say is right4 ,there will be no plunder4 ,the ,treasury of the ,unseen will remain inviolate6 ,as he paused she made no sound2 but her eyes rested upon his1 fascinated by their feverish brightness2 and in the midst of her silent regard he spoke again1 bending forward until his lips approached her ear4 ,they have laid their plans1 he whispered1 with a sudden and savage exultation1 but we also have laid ours4 ,and even we cannot reckon upon the consequences4 ,the spiritual enthusiast is not easy to hold in check1 once he has been aroused6 ,enid stared at him1 the pupils of her eyes dilated1 her lips pale4 ,you mean--8 ,you mean--8 she stammered2 then her fear found voice4 ,what do you mean8 she demanded1 in sharp1 alarmed tones4 ,bale-,corphew met her question1 steadily4 ,i mean1 he said1 with fierce vindictiveness1 that at the ,gathering to-night he will be publicly denounced6 ,he made the declaration slowly1 and each word fell with overwhelming weight upon his companion's understanding4 ,as in the bewildered mazes of a nightmare she saw the crowded chapel1 the fanatical1 unstable faces of the congregation1 the six ,arch-,mystics--outraged1 incensed1 unrelenting2 and in their midst the ,prophet1 tall and grave and masterful1 as she had seen him a hundred times4 ,one man facing a sea of ungoverned emotion6 ,at the vision her heart swelled suddenly and her soul sickened4 ,with a gesture1 almost as passionate as his own1 she turned upon ,bale-,corphew4 ,you would denounce him before the ,people8 she said1 incredulously4 ,you would trap him8 ,one man against a hundred6 ,oh1 it would be cowardly6 ,cruel6 ,bale-,corphew's face flamed to a deeper red4 ,cowardly8 ,cowardly8 ,do you know what you are saying8 ,the man is a thief6 ,for one moment she shrank before the epithet2 the next she raised her head1 her eyes flashing1 her lips parted4 ,you have no right to use that word4 ,you have not seen him steal4 ,seen him8 ,no4 ,but the ears are as reliable as the eyes1 and we have heard him declare that he intends to steal4 ,intends6 ,intends6 ,intentions are not acts4 ,in her deep agitation1 she turned upon him with a new demeanor4 ,oh1 be merciful6 she cried4 ,give him the benefit of mercy4 ,wait till the ,assembly is over1 and then accuse him4 ,if you can prove your accusation1 then justice can be done4 ,on the other hand-- ,the other hand8 ,again ,bale-,corphew's cruel laugh broke from him4 ,he has not shrunk from lies--from imposture--from blasphemy4 ,is it likely he will shrink from his reward8 ,oh no6 ,we will run no risks4 ,the trap has closed4 ,no one will gain access to him to-night until the hour of the ,gathering has arrived4 ,it will be my special--my sacred--duty to watch and guard4 ,as he spoke his eyes seemed to devour her face1 and before the expression in their depths her strength faltered4 ,and why have you come here8 she asked1 unsteadily4 ,why have you come here8 ,what has this to do with me8 ,as she put the questions1 he watched her closely2 and when her voice quivered1 a spasm of emotion--a wave of jealousy and suspicion--swept his face4 ,can you ask that question8 he demanded4 ,enid wavered4 ,why not8 she murmured4 ,why should ,i not8 ,why not8 ,he laughed again1 suddenly and savagely4 ,because the man loves you4 ,because he stole out of the house to-day--and came here to you4 ,i tracked him here and tracked him back again4 ,enid shrank away from him4 ,so--so you are a spy8 she said1 in a confused1 uneven voice4 ,he turned instantly1 his passions aflame4 ,a spy8 he cried4 ,i am a spy8 ,very well6 ,we will see who comes out victor4 ,the thief or the spy4 ,his voice rose1 his face darkened4 ,the demon of jealousy that had pursued him for seven days was free of the leash at last4 ,i wanted to know this1 he exclaimed4 ,i wanted to be sure4 ,i had my suspicions1 but ,i wanted proof4 ,on the day ,i surprised you with him1 ,i suspected2 to-day1 when ,i saw him enter this house1 ,i felt convinced-- ,convinced of what8 ,convinced that there is more in this matter than his love for you4 ,that there is also-- ,with a swift movement ,enid stopped him4 ,she was quivering violently1 but she held her head high4 ,yes1 she said1 distinctly4 ,yes1 you are quite right4 ,there is more in this matter than his love for me4 ,there is also my love for him6 ,her eyes were blazing2 her heart was beating fast4 ,with an agitation equal to ,bale-,corphew's own she moved to the fireplace and pressed the bell4 ,when the servant appeared she turned to her4 ,norris1 she said1 in a quiet voice1 show ,mr4 ,bale-,corphew out4 ,,chapter ,,ix ,there are few phases of human existence more interesting than that in which a young and sensitive woman is compelled by circumstances to cast aside the pleasant artifices1 the carefully modulated emotions of a sheltered life1 and to face the realities of fact and feeling4 ,for twenty-three years ,enid ,witcherley had played with existence--toying with it1 enjoying it1 as an epicure enjoys a rare wine or a choice morsel of food prepared for his appreciation4 ,now1 as she stood alone in her small drawing-room with its costly decorations1 its feminine atmosphere1 she was conscious for the first time that the banquet of life is not in reality a display of delicate viands and tempting vintages1 but a meal of common bread--sweet or bitter as destiny decrees4 ,she saw this1 and with a flash of comprehension knew and acknowledged that her heart and her brain cried out for the wholesome necessary food4 ,an hour ago1 when the ,prophet had stood before her and made his confession1 she had been overwhelmed by the tide of her own feelings2 in the rush of humiliation and disappointment--in the tremendous knowledge that the image she had called gold was in reality but clay--she had been too mortified to see beyond her own horizon4 ,in that moment their places in the drama had been indisputably allotted4 ,she herself had appeared the unoffending heroine1 unjustly humiliated in her own eyes and in the eyes of others2 he had stood out1 in unpardonable guise1 the cause--the instrument--of that humiliation4 ,in the bitter knowledge she had confronted him unrelentingly4 ,a spoiled child--an unreasoning feminine egoist4 ,but now that moment1 with its instructive and primitive emotions1 was passed by what seemed months--years--a century4 ,by a process of mind as swift as it was subtle1 the child had grown into a woman--the egoist had become conscious of another existence4 ,with the entrance of ,bale-,corphew--with the sound of her own denunciation upon his lips--a new feeling had awakened within her--a feeling stronger than humiliation1 stronger than pride4 ,it had risen1 blinding and dazzling her1 as a great light might blind and dazzle2 and she stood glorified and exalted within its radiance4 ,as the door had closed upon her second visitor1 a long sobbing sigh of excitement1 of tumultuous joy and fear shook her from head to foot2 she involuntarily drew her figure to its full height1 and covered her face with both hands1 as though to ward off the light that lay across her world4 ,but the great moment of joy and comprehension could not last2 other and more insistent factors were at work within her mind--claiming1 even demanding attention4 ,almost as the outer door closed upon ,bale-,corphew1 her hands dropped to her sides and an expression akin to terror crossed her eyes4 ,with a mind rendered supersensitive by its own emotions1 she realized what the next five hours might hold2 and like a tangible menace the dark1 angry face of the ,arch-,mystic flashed back upon her consciousness4 ,while he had been present in the room1 while his turbulent voice had filled her ears1 she had been only partly alive to the threatened danger2 but now that his presence had been removed1 now that she was free to sift the meaning of his words1 their full significance was borne in upon her4 ,with an alarming clearness of vision1 she recognized that behind his threats lay a definite meaning2 that the man himself1 at all times passionate1 and1 on occasion1 violent in temperament1 had suddenly become a danger--something as fierce and menacing as an uncontrolled element4 ,she realized and understood this rapidly1 as only the mind knows and comprehends in moments of stress and crisis2 and before her knowledge1 all ideas save one fell away like chaff before the wind4 ,at all costs--in face of every obstacle--she must warn and save the ,prophet6 ,with a start of apprehension1 she glanced at the clock and saw that the hands marked ten minutes to seven4 ,moving to the fireplace1 she once more pressed the bell2 and as ,norris answered1 turned to her1 heedless for perhaps the first time in her life of outward appearances4 ,get me my long black cloak1 ,norris1 she said4 ,and a black hat and veil4 ,i am going out4 ,norris's face expressed no surprise4 ,you will be back to dinner1 ma'am8 she inquired4 ,no4 ,i shall not want dinner4 ,i may not be back till ten--perhaps eleven4 ,if ,i am late1 no one need wait up4 ,she walked to a mirror and began nervously smoothing her ruffled hair1 while ,norris left the room1 and returned with the desired garments4 ,with the same nervous haste she put on her hat1 tied the thick veil over her face1 and allowed herself to be helped into her cloak4 ,then1 without a word1 she crossed the drawing-room1 passed through the hall of the flat1 and entered the lift4 ,at the street-door she was compelled to wait while the hall-porter called a cab2 and the momentary delay almost overtaxed her patience4 ,an audible sound of relief escaped her when the clatter of hoofs and jingle of bells announced that the wait was over4 ,st4 ,george's ,terrace6 she ordered1 in a low voice1 and it seemed to her perturbed mind that even the stolid attendant must find something portentous in the words2 then she sank into the corner of the cab and closed her eyes1 as she heard her order repeated to the cabman1 and felt the horse swing forward into the stream of traffic4 ,more than once she altered her position as the distance between ,knightsbridge and ,st4 ,george's ,terrace lessened4 ,she was devoured by impatience and yet paralyzed by dread4 ,once1 as the cab halted in a block of traffic1 she heard a clock strike seven1 and at the sound the blood rushed to her face as she thought of the nearness of her ordeal2 but an instant later she drew out her watch to verify the time1 and paled with sudden apprehension as she realized that the clock was slow4 ,so her mind oscillated until the cab drew up beside the curb2 and1 with a nervous start1 she heard the cabman open the trap-door4 ,what number1 lady8 he asked4 ,illustration3 ,,her ,,hand ,,was ,,trembling ,,as ,,she ,,raised ,,the ,,heavy ,,knocker ,she answered almost guiltily3 ,no number6 ,just stop here6 ,put me down here6 ,she rose1 gathering her long cloak about her4 ,try as she might1 she could not control her excitement1 as she crossed the roadway and entered ,hellier ,crescent after a week's absence4 ,her hand was trembling as she raised the heavy knocker on the familiar door2 and her voice shook as she repeated the necessary formula4 ,there was a slight delay--a slight hesitancy on the part of the door-keeper2 then the slide1 which had opened at her knock1 closed with a click1 and the massive door swung back4 ,she stepped forward eagerly1 but on the moment that she entered the hall her heart sank4 ,with a thrill of apprehension she saw that in place of the humble member of the congregation who usually attended there1 the tall1 fair-bearded ,arch-,mystic known as ,george ,norov was guarding the door4 ,small though the incident might appear1 it conveyed to her1 as no spoken declaration could have done1 the spirit of action and vigilance reigning in the ,house4 ,while the thought flashed through her mind1 ,norov surveyed her from his great height4 ,you are in good time1 my child2 the ,gathering is for eight o'clock4 ,she looked up at him4 ,yes1 she said1 quickly4 ,i know it is for eight o'clock1 but ,i have come early4 ,i have come because ,i wish-- ,her courage faltered before the intent1 searching gaze of his blue eyes4 ,i have come1 she added1 with gathered resolution1 because ,i desire private ,audience with the ,prophet--because there is something on my ,soul of which ,i must unburden myself4 ,the ,arch-,mystic looked at her and his eyes seemed cold as steel4 ,the ,prophet holds private ,audience only in the morning1 he replied1 in an even voice4 ,enid flushed4 ,i know that4 ,but there are exceptions to the rule-- ,the ,arch-,mystic shook his head4 ,the ,prophet holds private ,audience only in the morning4 ,but the ,prophet is generous4 ,five minutes alone with him will satisfy me--three minutes--two minutes-- ,her tone quickened as her anxiety increased4 ,still ,norov's blue eyes met hers unswervingly4 ,the ,prophet holds private ,audience only in the morning4 ,at the second repetition her apprehension rose to fear2 and in her alarmed trepidation she conceived a new idea4 ,with a rapid searching glance her eyes travelled over the ,arch-,mystic's powerful figure1 while she mentally measured his physical strength with that of the ,prophet4 ,her survey was short and comprehensive2 and her decision came with equal speed4 ,with a subtle change of manner and voice she made a fresh appeal4 ,turning to him with a gesture of deference1 she spoke again in a soft and conciliatory voice4 ,of course1 you are right in what you say1 she murmured4 ,but ,i am going to make an appeal4 ,if ,i may not see the ,prophet in private ,audience1 then let me see him in your presence6 ,i have only a dozen words to say2 and1 if necessary1 ,i will say them in your presence4 ,you can see it is urgent1 when ,i am willing to humiliate myself4 ,it is only for her ,soul that a woman will conquer her pride4 ,you won't deny peace to my ,soul8 ,her voice dropped1 her whole expression pleaded4 ,for a moment--for just one moment--it seemed to her desperate gaze that his hard blue eyes softened2 the next1 their cold1 unyielding glance disillusioned her of hope4 ,it is useless to appeal to me1 he said2 but if you very much desire it1 you can make your request to my brother ,mystic--,horatio ,bale-,corphew4 ,he is guarding the ,prophet's ,threshold4 ,whether the man had any glimmering of knowledge as to her private connection with ,bale-,corphew and the ,prophet was not to be read from his austere face4 ,his words might have been spoken in all innocence1 or might have been spoken deliberately and with malice4 ,but in either case the result1 so far as his listener was concerned1 was the same4 ,a sense of frightened impotence fell upon her--a knowledge that her enemy had a longer reach and a more powerful arm than she had guessed4 ,by a great effort she controlled her feelings4 ,thank you6 she said1 quietly1 but ,i will not trouble ,mr4 ,bale-,corphew4 ,if ,i may1 ,i will wait in the ,place until the ,gathering is assembled4 ,her companion bent his head4 ,permission is granted6 he said4 ,for a moment longer she stood1 burning with apprehensive dread4 ,on one hand was the ,prophet--trapped and unaware of his peril2 on the other was ,bale-,corphew--implacable1 enraged1 unrelaxing in his pursuit4 ,she waited irresolute1 until the cold1 inquiring gaze of the ,arch-,mystic made action compulsory2 then1 scarcely conscious of the movement1 she inclined her head in mechanical acknowledgment of his courtesy1 and1 turning away1 passed down the lofty1 sombre hall4 ,never in after-life was she able to remember1 with any degree of distinctness1 her threading of the familiar corridors leading to the chapel4 ,her consciousness of outer things was numbed by mental strife4 ,reaching the heavy curtain that shut off the sacred precinct1 she thrust it aside with nervous impetuosity and stood looking around the deserted chapel--glancing from the rows of empty chairs to the ,sanctuary1 where the great golden ,throne stood shrouded in a white cloth1 and the silver censers lay awaiting the flame4 ,at a first glance it seemed that the chapel was entirely empty1 but as her eyes grew accustomed to the modulated light diffused by eight large tapers1 she saw that the ,sanctuary was occupied by one sombre figure that flitted silently between the lectern and the ,throne4 ,for an instant her heart leaped1 for the man was of the same height and build as the ,precursor2 but a second glance put her hopes to flight4 ,the ,mystic within the ,sanctuary was the humble member of the congregation whose duty it was to wait upon the ,prophet4 ,as she passed slowly and automatically up the aisle1 the man turned and looked at her2 but after a cursory glance returned to his task of setting the ,sanctuary in order4 ,the look and the evident unconcern chilled and daunted her anew4 ,with a movement of despair she paused1 and sank into one of the empty chairs4 ,for a space that seemed eternal1 she sat huddled in her seat--her hands clasped nervously in her lap2 her ears alert to catch the slightest sound2 her eyes unconsciously following the movements of the man within the ,sanctuary2 then1 suddenly and abruptly1 the tension snapped2 and action--action of some description--became imperative4 ,she rose from her seat4 ,after she had risen1 she stood aimlessly looking about her at the black-and-white walls1 at the rows of chairs1 at the gleaming octagonal symbol that hung from the roof2 then1 as if magnetically attracted1 her glance travelled back to the man inside the ,sanctuary rail4 ,there was nothing remarkable in the spare figure1 moving reverently from one sacred object to another2 but as her eyes rested on the colorless1 ascetic face1 her own cheeks flushed with a new hope--a new inspiration4 ,with a quick movement she glanced furtively behind her2 and1 stepping carefully between the chairs1 regained the aisle and moved swiftly and noiselessly up the chapel4 ,her heart was beating so fast1 the nervous strain was so intense1 that when she reached the railing she stood for a moment unable to command her voice4 ,and when the ,mystic--becoming suddenly aware of her near presence--turned and confronted her1 a faint sound of nervous alarm slipped from her4 ,for a space the two looked at each other2 and at last the man appeared to realize that something was expected of him4 ,bending his head1 he uttered the formula of the sect4 ,in what can ,i serve you8 ,the familiar words braced ,enid4 ,she glanced at him afresh1 and in that glance her plan of action arranged itself4 ,for one moment1 as she had walked up the aisle1 her hand had sought her purse1 but now1 as she scanned the ascetic face of this unworldly servant1 her fingers involuntarily loosened and the purse slipped back into her pocket4 ,with a new resolve1 she looked him straight in the eyes4 ,you can do me a great service--a very great service1 she said1 quietly1 in her soft1 clear voice4 ,the man looked at her in slow inquiry4 ,oh1 ,i know you are surprised1 she added1 quickly4 ,i know this seems unusual-- ,she paused in momentary hesitation4 ,the ,mystic appeared distressed4 ,my--my duty-- he broke in1 uneasily4 ,my duty is to-- ,but she checked him suddenly4 ,illustration3 ,i ,,am ,,in ,,need ,,of ,,help 444 ,,and ,,you ,,can ,,help ,,me ,charity is greater than duty6 she said1 in a low1 impressive tone4 ,by the same feminine intuition that had made her discard her purse1 she saw that by a semi-mystical appeal--and by that alone--could she hope to succeed4 ,laying her hands upon the ,sanctuary railing1 she leaned forward1 and raised her large eyes to the man's face4 ,which do you consider the greater virtue8 she asked4 ,duty or charity8 ,the ,mystic looked at her4 ,charity1 he said1 at last1 hesitatingly1 the ,prophet teaches us-- ,enid's face flushed4 ,yes6 yes6 she cried4 ,the ,prophet teaches us that charity is the greater virtue4 ,he tells us that we are to rely upon ourselves--and also upon each other4 ,we are to help ourselves--and to help each other4 ,her voice shook1 her face glowed in her excitement and suspense4 ,i am in need of help1 she added4 ,in desperate need4 ,and you can help me4 ,her tone was urgent1 her compelling gaze never faltered4 ,she knew that this was her last chance--that1 if this man failed her1 catastrophe was inevitable4 ,the ,mystic stirred uncomfortably1 and his glance turned half fearfully from the intent1 appealing face to the lectern on which rested the white-bound ,scitsym4 ,with a sudden access of enthusiasm1 ,enid spoke again4 ,there is something troubling my ,soul1 she said4 ,something that ,i must confess to the ,prophet to-night4 ,my whole happiness--all my peace--depends upon confessing it4 ,i cannot speak with him before the ,gathering assembles2 but ,i can write my confession4 ,will you save my ,soul8 ,will you carry my confession to him8 ,until the words were actually spoken1 she did not realize how immensely she had staked upon her chances of success4 ,in a fever of anxiety she waited1 watching the man's gaze as it wavered undecidedly over the ,scitsym1 then returned1 as if magnetized1 to her face4 ,in twenty minutes the ,gathering will be assembled1 he murmured4 ,i know1 ,i know4 ,but there is still time4 ,it is a matter of--of faith--of peace of mind4 ,the man shuffled his feet4 ,it--it is impossible1 he said4 ,why impossible8 ,because the ,prophet is exalted to-night4 ,the ,arch-,mystics themselves are guarding the ,threshold4 ,the ,prophet is exalted2 he must not be disturbed4 ,but if it is necessary to disturb him8 ,if there is a ,soul in danger8 ,the ,prophet must not be disturbed4 ,what are we1 that we should thrust our wrong-doing or our sorrow upon the ,mighty ,one8 ,at the words a rage of apprehension shook ,enid4 ,she lifted her head1 and her fingers closed fiercely round the iron bar that topped the railing4 ,silence6 she said1 excitedly4 ,you do not know what you are saying6 ,the ,prophet sets his people high above himself4 ,the message of a ,soul in distress is of more value in his eyes than a hundred moments of exaltation4 ,take care that his wrath does not fall upon you6 ,involuntarily the man paled4 ,yes4 ,take care6 she cried4 ,take care6 ,you have the well-being--the whole future--of one ,soul in your hands to-night4 ,how will you answer to the ,prophet1 if you fail in the trust8 ,the ,mystic cowered4 ,if you fail1 the wrong can never be repaired4 ,and the doing of the action will cost you nothing4 ,take this note-- ,with agitated haste she tore a leaf from a tiny note-book that hung at her waist4 ,take this note4 ,tell no one4 ,give it into the ,prophet's own hands-- ,she drew out a pencil and wrote a few enigmatical words4 ,give it into his own hands2 and ,i can promise you that your reward will be greater than you think4 ,with a rapid movement1 she roiled up the paper and held it out to him4 ,take it1 she said1 impressively4 ,and remember that it is something important1 essential--sacred4 ,on the last word her voice rose2 then1 without warning1 it suddenly broke4 ,a curtain at the back of the ,sanctuary had been drawn aside2 and for the second time that evening1 the face of ,bale-,corphew confronted her through the dusk4 ,,chapter ,x ,for one instant ,enid stood spellbound2 then involuntarily she stepped backward1 crumpling the slip of paper in her hand4 ,at the same movement ,bale-,corphew advanced and1 passing the ,mystic1 indicated the ,sanctuary curtain4 ,go6 he commanded1 in an unsteady voice4 ,and as the man slunk away1 he wheeled round and confronted ,enid4 ,so this is your action8 he said1 tremulously4 ,this is your conception of honor8 ,truly1 woman is the undoing of man6 ,with an excited gesture1 he lifted his hand and extended it towards the white ,scitsym lying upon the lectern4 ,but ,enid met his attack with the courage that sometimes outlives hope4 ,a just man need fear no woman6 she exclaimed4 ,it is because you are unjust and a coward that you fear--that you suspect--that you find it necessary to hide and spy4 ,the color surged over his face4 ,i have been outraged6 he cried--,i have been outraged6 ,and1 like an unreasoning animal1 you turn to devour the thing that has hurt you8 ,i demand justice4 ,she threw out her hands and laughed suddenly and hysterically4 ,and you call this justice8 ,you call it justice to trap one man and set a hundred others loose upon him8 ,but ,bale-,corphew turned upon her4 ,and what is this man to you8 he cried4 ,what spell has he cast upon you that you can forget his outrage and his blasphemy8 ,enid met the question with her new fortitude2 searching ,bale-,corphew's turbulent face1 she answered with a certain high simplicity4 ,i do not know1 she said4 ,once ,i believed that ,i admired him--that ,i looked up to him--because he was a ,prophet2 something higher and better than myself4 ,now ,i know that my belief was wrong and false2 that it was because he is a man--because1 before everything else in the world1 he is a man--that ,i turned to him1 that ,i relied upon him4 ,bale-,corphew gave a short1 cruel laugh4 ,so that is it8 ,that is the secret8 ,he is a man8 ,well1 ,i will strip him of his manhood6 ,we have had our disillusioning2 yours is to come4 ,here1 on this sacred spot where he has been so exalted1 he will bite the dust4 ,he paused triumphantly2 and in the pause there rose again to ,enid's mind the picture of one tall1 white-robed figure confronting a sea of faces--all incensed--all passionately1 vindictively unanimous in desire4 ,oh no6 she said1 suddenly1 faltering before the picture4 ,no6 ,no6 ,you cannot4 ,you must not4 ,be merciful6 ,let him go4 ,and if there is anything--any recompense-- ,but even as it was spoken1 the appeal died4 ,somewhere in the heart of the ,house a solemn clock chimed the hour of eight2 and as though the sound were a signal1 the curtain of the chapel door was drawn softly back1 and a stream of dark-robed figures poured over the empty floor4 ,for a moment she stood immovable before the imminence of the crucial scene2 then1 with a sensation of physical weakness and helplessness1 she turned1 moved blindly forward1 and sank into a vacant seat4 ,at the same moment ,bale-,corphew left her without a word1 and passed rapidly down the aisle4 ,great fear frequently exercises a paralyzing effect upon the body4 ,with the undeniable knowledge that the time for action--the time for hope--was irrevocably passed1 ,enid felt deprived of the power to move4 ,she sat crouching in her seat1 every sense alive and strained1 but with limbs that were overpowered and weighted as if by tangible fetters4 ,thrilling to this numb and impotent sense of dread1 she heard the devotees enter the chapel1 one after another1 and pass to their chosen seats with soft1 gliding steps4 ,with a sickening knowledge of approaching catastrophe1 she saw another of the unconventional black-robed servants emerge from behind the ,sanctuary curtain1 and proceed with maddening deliberation to light the sixteen groups of wax tapers that were set at intervals along the walls4 ,mechanically her eyes followed the man's movements2 and it seemed that each new taper that spat1 flickered1 and shot up into a light was a symbol1 a portent of the scene to come4 ,as the last candle was lighted1 the shuffling of feet and the stir of garments that1 since the entry of the first devotee1 had unceasingly filled the chapel suddenly subsided1 and nerved to motion by the lull1 she turned and glanced behind her4 ,the scene1 familiar though it was1 impressed her anew4 ,it was a strange effect in black and white4 ,the black clothes of the congregation seemed massed together in a sombre blur2 their strained1 fanatical faces looked white and set2 while the marble walls shone out1 sharp and polished1 in the same contrasting hues4 ,over the whole scene the concentrated light and accentuated shadow thrown by the great sconces glowing with tapers1 made a variation of tone almost as vivid as that seen on a moonlight night4 ,unconsciously she recognized the curious1 the almost barbaric picturesqueness of light and grouping2 but her eyes had barely skimmed the scene when the meaning of the hush that filled the place was brought home to her mind4 ,glancing towards the curtain that hid the entrance1 she saw the figure of the ,prophet move slowly into the chapel and pass up the aisle1 attended by the ,precursor and the ,six ,arch-,mystics4 ,he moved forward with grave1 dignified steps1 and with a head held even higher than usual1 and reaching the ,sanctuary gate1 passed through it without hesitation4 ,the action was so calm--so natural--so like what she had witnessed night after night--that ,enid sat newly petrified1 her senses striving to associate this strong figure with the man who1 only a few hours before1 had humiliated himself in her presence4 ,for a moment her mind refused the connection of ideas2 but the next a full realization of the position swept over her1 galvanizing her mentally and physically1 as she turned in her seat and glanced at the seven who were following in the wake4 ,illustration3 ,,she ,,saw ,,the ,,figure ,,of ,,the ,,prophet 444 ,,attended ,,by ,,the ,,precursor ,,and ,,the ,,six ,,arch-,,mystics ,first behind his master came the ,precursor4 ,and to ,enid's searching gaze it seemed that his face was set into unfamiliar and anxious lines2 but under his black cap and red hair1 his skin looked colorless and drawn4 ,but after the first glance1 her eyes were not for him2 with swift apprehension they passed to the six ,arch-,mystics who1 walking two and two1 formed the procession4 ,animated by the speed of actual fear1 her gaze passed from the abnormally agitated face of old ,arian1 the blind ,arch-,councillor1 to the dark1 turbulent face of ,bale-,corphew1 who brought up the rear4 ,the survey was rapid and comprehensive2 and to her uneasy mind the thought came with unerring certainty that1 on all the six faces--differing so markedly in physical characteristics--there was a common look of suppressed excitement1 of suppressed resolve4 ,as they passed her seat1 ,norov turned and shot a glance of cold curiosity in her direction2 but otherwise the whole group seemed unaware of her presence4 ,still inert1 she sat1 watching every movement in the scene before her as one might watch a drama that would1 at a given moment1 cease to be entertainment and become real life4 ,very quietly the ,prophet advanced to the ,scitsym and1 following the customary routine1 opened it and began to read4 ,the words were a strange jargon of mystical counsel interspersed with the relation of mystical visions and ecstasies4 ,on ordinary lips1 the long1 disjointed sentences and disconnected phrases would have sounded vague and incomprehensible2 but1 from the first1 it had been one of the ,prophet's special gifts that his deep1 grave voice could lend weight and meaning to the fantastic utterances4 ,and to-night it seemed that he intended to put forth all his powers2 for scarcely had he opened the book and begun to read1 than a stir of interest passed over the congregation2 and even ,enid1 enmeshed in her own terrors1 bent forward involuntarily4 ,he spoke very slowly1 enunciating every word with studied seriousness2 and from time to time he paused and looked across the sea of fixed and almost adoring faces turned in his direction4 ,it was as if1 by strength of will1 he had determined that no point1 no syllable1 of this1 his last reading1 should be lost upon his hearers4 ,more than once1 ,bale-,corphew moved uneasily and shot a glance at ,norov2 but the ,prophet was unconscious of these surreptitious signs4 ,for half an hour he read on1 slowly1 distinctly1 impressively2 then1 still following the routine of the evening service1 he closed the book and calmly moved across the ,sanctuary to the ,throne4 ,as he neared it1 the ,precursor stepped forward deferentially and conducted him to the foot of the gilt steps4 ,having ascended1 he took his seat with calm impassivity and1 resting his hands upon the arms of the great gold chair1 looked out once more upon the massed faces4 ,this1 according to custom1 was the signal for a general movement4 ,the congregation swayed forward1 prostrating themselves upon the ground1 while the ,arch-,mystics gathered their wide1 black robes about them and assumed attitudes of rapt contemplation4 ,in obedience to usage1 ,enid also dropped upon her knees and covered her face with her hands4 ,but though her pose was conventional1 there was little place in her thoughts for either prayer or meditation4 ,one idea--and one only--absorbed her being4 ,how1 and at what moment1 must she gather strength to act8 ,she crouched upon the ground1 her hands pressed tightly over her eyes4 ,it seemed to her that all the torture1 all the suspense and apprehension of the universe1 were gathered into that half-hour of appalling silence4 ,once she ventured to unlace her fingers and glance through them fearfully2 but at sight of the ,prophet1 calm1 impassive1 unconscious of his threatened danger--at sight of the six sombre shrouded figures that sat inside the ,sanctuary railing1 her blood turned cold and her courage quailed4 ,when the sign that ended the evening's meditation was given1 she rose with the rest and sank weakly into her seat4 ,then1 in dumb1 stricken helplessness such as envelops us in a terrible dream1 she saw the ,prophet rise very slowly and stand on the steps of the ,throne1 looking solemnly down upon the people4 ,during his change of position1 she sat vacillating pitiably4 ,the knowledge that in a single moment he would have begun to speak spurred her to a fever of alarm1 while a terrible nervous incapacity chained her limbs and paralyzed her tongue4 ,bale-,corphew's words rose to her mind4 ,he will fool us--as he has fooled us before4 ,in the apprehension aroused by the memory1 she half rose in her chair1 her hands grasping the back of the seat in front of her2 but suddenly the chapel1 the lights1 the congregation seemed to fade from her vision1 and she sank back into her place4 ,the ,prophet had begun to speak4 ,my ,people1 he said1 very calmly and distinctly1 heretofore ,i have spoken to you as a teacher4 ,to-night ,i will speak to you as one of yourselves4 ,something in the tone--something in the words--struck a note of surprise and uneasiness4 ,again ,bale-,corphew shot a swift glance at ,norov1 and old ,michael ,arian lifted his head and strained his sightless eyes towards the ,throne1 while ,enid's hands tightened spasmodically on the back of the chair in front of her1 and her lips parted in new fear4 ,what was he going to say8 ,how much further was he going to compromise himself8 ,but the body of the congregation swayed forward in absorbed attention1 and the ,prophet continued to survey the fixed faces with grave1 steady eyes4 ,my ,people1 he said1 you are an unusual gathering4 ,some would call you a gathering of fanatics--some might even call you a gathering of fools4 ,but fools1 fanatics1 or ,mystics1 you are all men and women4 ,you are all human beings6 ,old ,arian started1 and ,norov's cold1 blue eyes flashed2 but still the ,prophet was oblivious of their emotion4 ,it is always well to study one's own kind2 and to-night ,i am going to speak to you of a man4 ,i am going to tell you the story of a man--a man as passionate1 as headstrong1 as weak and vulnerable as you yourselves4 ,he halted for a moment1 and his glance seemed to grow more concentrated1 more intense4 ,once1 many years ago1 there was a boy born here1 in this city of ,london4 ,don't lose patience6 ,my story has the merit of truth4 ,there was nothing pleasant1 there was nothing easy1 in the circumstances of this boy's birth4 ,his first sight of the world was gained through the window of a tenement-house1 and the picture he saw was the picture of an alley--dark1 foul1 teeming with life4 ,his first knowledge of existence was the realization of poverty--not the free1 wholesome poverty of the country1 but the grinding1 sordid1 continuous poverty of the town1 that no tongue can adequately describe4 ,these were his surroundings--this was his environment2 and yet--so great are the miracles that love can accomplish--every day of that boy's life was illumined and glorified by one presence4 ,god in his bounty had given him a mother6 ,it was the first time in any discourse that he had mentioned the supreme ,name1 and as if conscious of the tremor it aroused1 he continued his narrative without pause4 ,to say that a boy's life is made happier by his mother's existence sounds too trite and obvious to bear any weight2 but it is through the obvious facts of life that the world's machinery is kept in motion4 ,the inexpressible1 unwearying tenderness of this mother for her son1 the love of this boy for his mother1 grew with the passage of time--grew into something so significant1 so vital and so deep1 that even the poisonous atmosphere of the alley could not thwart its growth4 ,this feeling grew in the boy's heart2 and with it--by a necessary law of nature--another feeling took root and grew also4 ,fired by stories of a past1 in which wealth and position had been won by his forefathers1 he conceived the idea of becoming in his own person a hero--a knight-errant4 ,and in the grimy1 common alley2 in the poor1 bare sitting-room where his mother sewed unendingly2 in the dark closet under the slates where at night he dreamed his child's dreams1 he built castles such as never stood upon the hills of ,spain6 ,the germ of his ambition fell into his soul like a seed of fire2 and1 like a seed of fire1 sprang into a flame4 ,at whatever price--at whatever sacrifice--there must be a golden future1 in which the mother he adored would sit in high places2 in which the worn hands would never ply a needle except for pastime1 the frail figure grow straight and strong1 the pale face warm and brighten with the colors of health6 ,it was a very humble1 a very young ambition1 but it sprang from the true1 clean source of untainted love1 like which there is nothing else in all the world4 ,he paused2 and from his grave voice it seemed that a wave of emotion passed across the chapel4 ,the congregation1 too fascinated by his words to question their meaning1 drew a sigh of rapt anticipation4 ,enid1 amazed1 bewildered1 moved beyond herself1 sat immovable--her face pale1 her great eyes fixed upon the ,throne4 ,only the six ,arch-,mystics stirred uneasily1 glancing at each other with quiet1 uncertain looks4 ,presently1 as though he had marshalled his ideas for the continuation of his speech1 the ,prophet raised his hand4 ,my ,people1 he began1 again1 do not think that ,i am going to compel you to listen to a psychological discourse upon this boy's development4 ,that is not my intention4 ,but were ,i to hold up a picture for your inspection1 you could not properly appreciate it were you ignorant of the art of drawing4 ,and so it is with my story4 ,to understand the completed work1 you must understand the manner of its growth4 ,though this boy lived in obscurity1 he was bound by one link with the great things of the world4 ,but for the unjust disinheritance of his father1 he would have been heir to a vast property2 and through all his youth1 this had been the golden mirage that had floated before his vision--this had been the fabled country from which his castle rose4 ,steadily1 unfalteringly1 one idea had expanded in his mind4 ,by some brave action--by some deed of heroism--he was to win back the lost inheritance4 ,time passed4 ,and with its passage the wheel of fate revolved4 ,by one of those strange chances for which no man can account1 the opportunity that the boy longed for fell across his path4 ,it came4 ,but it came enveloped in no cloud of glory4 ,the path to the lost inheritance was steep and rugged and dark4 ,he was called upon to leave his mother2 to leave the place that1 however sordid1 however mean1 was yet his home2 and to enter upon a period of servitude with an unknown master--a man related to him by blood1 whom report described as an eccentric--a miser--a madman4 ,as he said these words a curious thing occurred4 ,a wave of color flushed old ,arian's sightless face2 an inarticulate sound escaped him1 and he made a tremulous attempt to rise4 ,but the movement was instantly checked by ,bale-,corphew1 who bent close to him and whispered quickly in his ear4 ,neither gesture nor whisper was noted by the ,prophet4 ,his own face had paled as if with some deep emotion2 and lowering his raised hand1 he spoke again with a new1 suppressed intensity4 ,then began the vital period of that boy's career4 ,he left his home--he left the mother he loved--he went into voluntary exile1 animated by one purpose4 ,remember that1 my ,people6 ,he went into the service of this man animated by one purpose--the determination to win back his rightful fortune6 ,and for seven weary years he continued his pursuit4 ,for the seven most vital years of his youth he suppressed every instinct that animates a boy6 ,he worked more laboriously than the laborer in the fields1 for mental servitude is more galling to the young than any physical strain4 ,but he never faltered2 and at last he had the pride of knowing that his end was gained--he had the pride of knowing that he had become indispensable to the master whom he served6 ,again he paused1 but this time the pause was of impressive weight4 ,unconsciously1 and without analyzing the feeling1 every member of the congregation felt that some announcement was pending--that some extraordinary revelation was about to be made4 ,enid sat rigid1 holding her breath in an agony of suspense1 fascinated and appalled by the incomprehensible discourse4 ,behind the high railing1 old ,michael ,arian's lips moved rapidly and nervously1 as though he were muttering inaudible prayers2 while ,bale-,corphew's florid face flamed1 as1 with a rapid1 agitated movement1 he glanced over the tense faces of the congregation4 ,for one moment it seemed that he was bracing himself for action1 but before his intentions could bear fruit1 the voice of the ,prophet again rang out across the chapel4 ,my ,people6 he said4 ,it is now that ,i appeal to your humanity6 ,it is now that ,i ask each one of you--men and women--to stand in this boy's place--this boy1 built like yourselves of human desires1 human hopes1 human weaknesses4 ,after seven long years he touched the knowledge that he had become indispensable2 and the bearer of that knowledge was ,death--his master's master6 ,death came2 and in his chill presence the boy saw his task completed--laid aside like a written scroll6 ,it was the most glorious moment of his life--that moment in which he stood with unshaken faith1 looking towards the future4 ,but the darker side of existence was his portion2 he had been born to the darker side4 ,within one hour of his master's death1 his dreams were dispelled4 ,he learned that1 in the eyes of the man he had served1 he had never passed beyond the position of the outcast--the dependent1 whose services are liberally rewarded by the gift of a few hundred pounds4 ,the fortune--the inheritance--the golden mirage1 was no longer existent1 save as something that did not concern him4 ,by the disposition of his master's will1 it had passed into the coffers of a religious body--a fantastic1 unknown sect to which the old man had belonged6 ,the announcement fell with strange effect4 ,enid1 inspired by sudden terror1 rose to her feet2 ,bale-,corphew sat gripping the arm of his chair1 his face contorted1 his mouth working1 while a rustle1 an audible murmur of excitement passed over the whole chapel1 and the ,precursor1 who all along had been crouching at the foot of the throne1 turned quickly and anxiously towards his master4 ,but the ,prophet reassured him by a gesture4 ,it seemed that he was exalted by some emotion1 lifted above his surroundings by some invisible power4 ,put yourselves in this boy's place6 he cried4 ,was there ever a position so intensely human8 ,the thing he had striven for--the thing he needed inordinately--had been wrenched from him by a band of people who1 in his eyes1 were either fools or knaves4 ,what would you have done in his position8 ,what would have been your impulse8 ,what your instinct8 ,if ,i know anything of human nature1 it would have been the same as his--precisely1 accurately the same as his6 ,he had known for years of this sect to which his master belonged2 and for years he had held it in contempt4 ,in his normal1 youthful eyes1 the idea of a creed that denied the high1 simple theory of ,christianity1 and awaited the coming of a mythical ,prophet was a subject for healthy scorn4 ,and now suddenly it was forced upon his understanding that this anmic sect--this mystical1 anticipated ,prophet--were his rivals--the despoilers of his private intimate hopes4 ,such a knowledge has power to work a miracle2 and in one single night it changed this boy into a man4 ,embittered1 hopeless1 stranded1 inspiration came to him4 ,he conceived the tremendous idea of entering upon a new fight--a second quest of the great inheritance4 ,he conceived the idea2 and standing1 as it were1 upon a different plane of life1 he saw-- ,but the ,prophet got no further4 ,with a gesture of violent excitement1 ,bale-,corphew rose2 at the same instant the ,precursor sprang to his feet and stood in a defensive attitude before the ,throne4 ,the whole scene was enacted in a second4 ,enid1 grasping its full meaning1 turned very white and dropped back into her seat1 while the whole congregation strained forward in unanimous amazement and curiosity4 ,and then1 for the first time1 the hot1 angry glance of ,bale-,corphew met that of the ,prophet4 ,he glared at him for one moment in speechless rage1 then he turned to the people4 ,mystics6 he cried1 in a choked voice4 ,in accordance with a solemn duty1 ,i--,i proclaim this man to be-- ,but before he could proceed the ,precursor interrupted4 ,people6 ,mystics6 he cried1 raising his penetrating voice4 ,is this right8 ,is this permissible8 ,a murmur rose from the chapel4 ,bale-,corphew's face became purple4 ,people6 hear me6 he exclaimed4 ,this man is no ,prophet4 ,he is an impostor6 ,a fraud6 ,i have proof4 ,i can give you proof6 ,of the extraordinary effect of these words ,enid--crouching helplessly in her seat--saw nothing4 ,all her senses were riveted upon one object--the tall1 calm figure upon the steps of the ,throne4 ,by the power of intuition1 rather than by physical observation1 she saw the look of intense surprise1 of incredulity merging to dismay1 that crossed the ,prophet's face at the ,arch-,mystic's words4 ,and at the sight the real meaning of his incomprehensible discourse passed over her mind in a wave of incredulous admiration4 ,believing himself secure in his position1 he had voluntarily chosen to denounce himself4 ,that was her first thought as the matter became clear to her2 but a chilling second thought followed sharp upon it4 ,what would be the ,prophet's reading of ,bale-,corphew's knowledge8 ,would not one solution--and one only--present itself to his mind8 ,the idea that she had betrayed his confidence4 ,with the horror of the suggestion an ungovernable impulse filled her--an impulse to rise--to go to him--sweep the doubt from his mind4 ,but an instant later the merely egotistical thought was obliterated by the greater issues that filled the moment4 ,after ,bale-,corphew had spoken an uproar--a clamor--had suddenly filled the chapel2 and now the rapt concourse of people had become as a turbulent sea4 ,the ,precursor1 pale with intense nervous excitement1 stood vainly striving to make his voice heard2 while ,bale-,corphew1 closely surrounded by his fellow-,mystics1 gesticulated violently4 ,at last the ,prophet raised his hand2 and by habit and training1 the people subsided into silence4 ,instantly ,bale-,corphew's voice rang out4 ,listen6 he cried2 listen6 ,but again the ,precursor interrupted4 ,people1 he demanded1 will you refuse the ,prophet the right of speech8 ,will you refuse to hear the ,prophet's words8 ,this is sacrilege6 ,sacrilege6 ,norov suddenly raised his voice4 ,listen to your ,councillor6 ,listen to the ,prophet6 ,the ,voice of the ,prophet calls upon you4 ,will you deny it8 ,the ,precursor's voice shook with excitement4 ,this is the truth6 ,i tell you the truth6 ,bale-,corphew appealed to the people with out-stretched arms4 ,but the tumult broke forth again4 ,mystics6 ,mystics6 ,old ,arian's shrill1 alarmed tones rose for an instant1 only to be drowned in the clamor4 ,then out of the confused babel of sound one cry became distinguishable4 ,the ,prophet6 ,the ,prophet6 ,let the ,prophet speak6 ,for a space confusion reigned2 then1 answering to the demand1 the ,prophet again lifted his right hand4 ,as though it exercised some potent spell1 his calm1 imperious gesture subdued the turmoil4 ,when silence had been restored he began to speak2 and never1 since he had addressed the first ,gathering1 had so deep a note of domination and decision been audible in his voice4 ,mystics6 he cried1 there is no time for preamble or delay4 ,as the ,arch-,mystic says1 you must have truth6 ,perhaps there is no need to tell you that the history ,i have just related to you has an imminent bearing upon your lives and mine4 ,you probably know1 without my telling1 that the boy of my story and ,i are one and the same person2 that the fanatic sect1 for which ,i was made a beggar1 is your own sect--the sect of the ,mystics4 ,but so it is4 ,on a wild1 dark night ten years ago ,i learned that the money which should have been mine--the money which should have been the recompense for my mother's hard life--had been given to you4 ,given for the use of a ,prophet in whose coming you believed6 ,my feelings on that night were the criminal feelings that underlie all civilization4 ,i had only one desire--to destroy--to be avenged4 ,my uncle1 ,andrew ,henderson1 was an ,arch-,mystic of your sect2 and on the night he died1 your sacred ,scitsym was in his house6 ,the congregation thrilled1 and the blind ,arch-,councillor turned and clutched ,bale-,corphew's arm4 ,my first impulse was to destroy that book4 ,look at it1 look at it6 ,he pointed to the lectern4 ,ten years ago1 ,i knelt before a fire with its pages in my hand1 and black thoughts of revenge in my heart4 ,but the devil of temptation lurks in strange places4 ,in the very act of destruction1 an inspiration came to me4 ,a man was expected6 ,a ,prophet was expected6 ,and in the pages of the ,scitsym were contained the attributes1 the secret signs1 the manifold ways in which he was to make good his claim4 ,i come of an obstinate stock--of a stock that in the past has overcome many obstacles4 ,that night ,i copied out the whole of your ,scitsym1 and afterwards1 as soon as ,i reasonably could1 ,i left ,scotland4 ,i went at once to my mother2 ,i told her that1 according to the disposition of my uncle's will1 ,i was to inherit his fortune in ten years' time1 and that in the interval ,i was to fit myself for wealth by profound study4 ,it was the first time in all my life that ,i had lied to her6 ,but to come to the end1 your ,prophet was to be a student of ,eastern lore4 ,with this knowledge in my mind1 ,i started with my mother for the ,east4 ,what has happened since then is immaterial4 ,my second probation has been as hard as my first4 ,but ,i accomplished two things4 ,i fitted myself mentally and physically for the part ,i was going to play1 and ,i made one stanch1 wholly disinterested friend6 ,with a gesture of grave affection1 he indicated the ,precursor4 ,in the opportunity that the slight pause gave1 ,bale-,corphew sprang forward and1 resting his hands upon the ,sanctuary railing1 faced the congregation4 ,people6 he cried1 hoarsely1 be not deceived6 ,this man pretends to tell you what he is4 ,he is blinding you--weaving a bandage of specious words across your eyes4 ,but ,i will undeceive you4 ,i will tear the bandage-- ,he hesitated1 stammered1 paused4 ,with a movement full of fire1 full of authority1 the ,prophet stepped from the ,throne4 ,silence6 he cried4 ,there is no need for interference4 ,this matter is between the ,people and myself4 ,with a pale face and burning eyes he stepped forward1 and standing beside the ,arch-,mystic confronted the congregation4 ,i will tell you everything that this man would tell you1 he said1 in a steady voice4 ,i believe ,i will even use the word he himself would choose4 ,i am a thief6 ,i am a thief--in intention if not in act6 ,the effect of the word was tremendous4 ,a perfectly audible gasp went up from the breathless crowd2 and1 by one accord1 the people rose and swayed upward towards the ,sanctuary4 ,calm and immovable as a rock1 the ,prophet held his place4 ,yes1 he said1 steadily1 until this morning ,i have virtually been a thief4 ,until this morning it was my firm intention to take by force that which should have come to me as my right4 ,the fact that my intention faltered at the last moment does not affect the case4 ,i wish to make no appeal4 ,my desire--his voice suddenly quickened--my desire is plainly and simply to state my case4 ,morally ,i have done you no wrong4 ,my teaching has been the expounding of simple truths1 that my personal action could not desecrate4 ,i stand before you to-night empty-handed as ,i came4 ,the one thing ,i claim from you is judgment6 ,judge me6 ,i am in your hands4 ,if you think ,i deserve punishment1 punish me6 ,if you think circumstances have made me what ,i am1 then stand aside6 ,let me pass out of your lives6 ,there was a great silence2 then a woman's sharp cry rang out across the chapel1 as1 with a savage movement1 three of the ,arch-,mystics sprang upon the ,prophet4 ,sacrilege6 ,sacrilege6 ,bale-,corphew's voice rose loud and violent4 ,but he had calculated without his host4 ,the fanaticism of a crowd is a dangerous weapon with which to tamper1 and the dethronement of a king is not accomplished in a day4 ,with the speed of light1 the element he had unloosed turned upon himself4 ,again one word disentangled itself from the medley of sounds4 ,the ,prophet6 ,the ,prophet6 ,like an ignited fuse1 instinct had been lighted in the people4 ,the man who for months had been exalted--honored--well-nigh worshipped--was in imminent peril6 ,that one thought submerged and demolished every other4 ,there was a forward movement--a roar--a crash--and the high1 gilt railings of the ,sanctuary went down as before a storm4 ,to ,enid1 who had been borne irresistibly upward on the human tide1 there was one overpowering moment of fear and clamor1 in which the cry of ,the ,prophet6 ,the ,prophet6 dominated her consciousness2 then1 to her1 the world became suddenly and mercifully sightless1 soundless1 and void4 99 99 99 99 99 ,when at last her eyes opened--when at last her senses falteringly returned to the consciousness of present things--she was in her own familiar room4 ,the atmosphere breathed of repose and peace2 through the drawn curtains the hum of ,london came subdued and soothing2 in the room itself the lights were modulated and the fire glowed soft and mellow1 while a faint1 pungent smell of restoratives filled the air4 ,but these details came but vaguely to her appreciation1 for the first object upon which her glance and her ideas rested was the figure of ,john ,henderson1 kneeling beside the couch on which she lay4 ,for a long1 silent space she gazed bewildered into the grave face bent over her own--striving to fathom whether this was another phase of an extraordinarily prolonged and harassing dream1 or whether it had any bearing upon real life2 then1 as the pained1 bewildered sensation deepened in her mind1 it was suddenly illumined by a flash of recollection2 and starting up1 she caught ,henderson's hand4 ,but before she could speak he laid his fingers gently over her eyes4 ,you are not to think1 he said4 ,to-night is past4 ,but ,hellier ,crescent8 ,what happened after--after--8 ,again he made a soothing movement4 ,you must not think of it4 ,they gathered round me4 ,they were generous4 ,they heaped coals of fire4 ,enid lay silent1 conscious with a keen yet poignant pleasure of his hand upon her face4 ,then suddenly a new thought obtruded itself1 and drawing away his fingers1 she looked up into his face4 ,and after to-night--8 she said1 in a low1 unsteady voice4 ,for a moment he did not answer1 and in the soft light it seemed to her that a shadow of pain passed over his face4 ,again she put out her hand and touched his4 ,what are you going to do8 she asked1 below her breath4 ,at last he raised his head and looked fully at her4 ,i am going back to the ,east4 ,the hardest task of my life is awaiting me there4 ,it is a very bitter thing to disillusionize the person to whom one is a hero4 ,she looked at him quickly4 ,you are speaking of your mother8 ,you are thinking of your mother8 ,he bent his head4 ,for a space neither spoke4 ,vaguely1 and in distant accompaniment to their thoughts1 each was conscious of the hum of traffic and of the softly crackling fire2 then at last ,enid stirred1 and with a gesture full of comprehension1 her fingers closed round ,henderson's4 ,let me tell her the story6 she said1 almost inaudibly4 ,take me with you--and let me tell her6 ,we are both women1 and-- ,her head drooped slightly2 and her face flushed4 ,and we both love you4