Add files from ibiblio as of 2025-03-08 15:44:33HEADmain

1 files changed, 0 insertions, 10699 deletions

diff --git a/41199.txt b/41199.txt
deleted file mode 100644
index a2b55b1..0000000
--- a/41199.txt
+++ /dev/null
@@ -1,10699 +0,0 @@
-The Project Gutenberg EBook of The Great God Gold, by William Le Queux
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Title: The Great God Gold
-
-Author: William Le Queux
-
-Release Date: October 27, 2012 [EBook #41199]
-
-Language: English
-
-Character set encoding: ASCII
-
-*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GOD GOLD ***
-
-
-
-
-Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
-
-
-
-
-The Great God Gold
-By William Le Queux
-Published by Richard G. Badger, The Gorham Press, Boston, USA.
-This edition dated 1910.
-
-The Great God Gold, by William Le Queux.
-
-________________________________________________________________________
-
-________________________________________________________________________
-THE GREAT GOD GOLD, BY WILLIAM LE QUEUX.
-
-PREFACE.
-
-AN EXPLANATION.
-
-The remarkable secret revealed in the following pages is not purely
-fiction.
-
-The discovery, much in the form that I have here presented it, has
-actually been made, and its discoverer, a well-known professor at one of
-the Universities in the North of Europe, recently placed the
-extraordinary statement in my hands.
-
-In consequence, I consulted a number of the first living authorities on
-the subject, who most courteously gave me their opinions and to whom I
-owe much assistance, while several other Hebrew scholars, less noted,
-evinced the greatest curiosity.
-
-Therefore I trust that the reader himself may find this hitherto
-unheard-of statement of facts of equal importance and interest.
-
-William Le Queux.
-
-Devonshire Club, London, 1910.
-
-CHAPTER ONE.
-
-INTRODUCES THE STRANGER.
-
-"My name?  Why--what does that matter, Doctor?  In an hour--perhaps
-before--I won't trouble anybody further."
-
-"But surely it is your duty, my friend, to let me know your name?"
-argued the other.  "Even if it be in confidence."
-
-The dying man slowly shook his head in the negative, moved uneasily, and
-stretching forth his thin trembling hand, answered in indifferent
-French.
-
-"I regret that I cannot satisfy your curiosity.  I have a reason--a--a
-strong private reason.  Here is my key," he went on, speaking very
-slowly and with great difficulty in a weak voice scarce above a whisper.
-"Open my bag, doctor, and;--and you'll find there a--a big envelope.
-Will you give it to me?"
-
-The Doctor, a queer, deformed little man shabbily dressed, with grey
-hair and short grey beard, rose from the bedside and with the key
-crossed to where a well-worn leather bag lay upon the floor.
-
-As he turned his back upon his nameless patient and knelt beside the
-bag, a curious look of craft and cunning overspread his hard, furrowed
-countenance.  But it was only for a second.  Next instant it had
-vanished, and given place to that serious expression of sympathy which
-his face had previously worn.
-
-He found a large blue, linen-lined envelope which he gave into the white
-trembling hands of the stranger.
-
-The prostrate man looked about fifty, his unkempt hair and moustache
-just tinged with grey, unshaved, and with white drawn face betraying
-long and intense suffering.
-
-Why was he so determined to conceal his name?  What secret of his life
-had he to hide?
-
-Upon his blanched features was written the history of a curious and
-adventurous past.  Perhaps he held some strange and amazing secret.  He
-was eccentric in only one particular--that though he knew himself to be
-dying, he would leave no message for any relative; refusing absolutely
-and stubbornly to give his name, even to the man who, now at his side,
-had befriended him.
-
-The room was a small and not over cleanly one, high up in a fourth-rate
-hotel close to the Gare du Nord, in Paris, a room with a single bed, a
-threadbare carpet, and a cheap wooden washstand with the grey December
-light filtering through lace curtains that hung limp and yellow.  The
-wallpaper was greasy and faded, and the bed itself the reverse of
-inviting.
-
-To Doctor Raymond Diamond the dying man had been an entire stranger
-until three days before--a chance acquaintance which adversity had
-brought him.  Both men were, as a matter of fact, stranded in Paris.
-They had, in ascending the narrow stairs of their little hotel, wished
-each other "Good-day."  Men who are hard up always form easy
-acquaintanceships.  The stranger had told him that he was a Dane, from
-Copenhagen, but the name, Jules Blanc, which he had given to the
-proprietor was certainly not Danish.  Indeed, he had admitted to Diamond
-that he had not given his real name.  He had reasons for withholding it.
-
-He was a mystery, and the Doctor strongly suspected him of having
-absconded from his native land, and coming to the end of his resources,
-was now in fear of the police.
-
-That he was well educated had been quickly apparent.  Though he spoke
-French badly it was evident that he had nevertheless travelled
-extensively, and had, in his better days, been possessed of considerable
-means.  He had been in the Near East, Asia Minor, Syria, Palestine and
-Egypt, and appeared to possess an intimate knowledge of those countries.
-
-Yet his luggage had been reduced to that one small bag containing a big
-blue envelope and a chancre of linen.
-
-For two days they had idled about Paris together, both practically
-without a _sou_.
-
-The Doctor, when he had discovered the true state of his friend's
-finances, had explained that he too was "temporarily embarrassed owing
-to his many recent investments;" whereat they had both laughed in chorus
-and with light hearts spent half the day lazily lolling upon the seats
-in the Tuileries Gardens watching the children at play.
-
-It was during those idle hungry hours that the stranger's remarks
-aroused within the Doctor the greatest curiosity.  Diamond himself, an
-Englishman, had in his student days taken his M.D. at Edinburgh, and was
-also a scholar of no mean attainments, yet this Dane's knowledge of many
-occult matters appeared amazingly profound.
-
-Why did he so resolutely refuse to give his name?
-
-On the day the Doctor had met the Dane, his financial resources
-consisted of one solitary franc and a twenty-five centime nickel piece.
-His newly found friend had less.  Hence the food they had had was not
-very abundant.  The two men, however, brothers in adversity, faced the
-hunger problem gaily.  It was not the first time that either of them had
-been face to face with the streets and starvation, therefore it was no
-new experience.
-
-Yet the stranger ever and anon seemed deeply depressed.  He knit his
-brows, set his teeth hard, and drew deep sighs--sighs over the
-might-have-beens of his past.  His business in Paris was an important,
-an entirely secret one, he had declared.  In a few days--in a week at
-most--it must be completed.
-
-"And then," he added with a laugh of confidence, "I shall probably move
-on to the Grand."
-
-That same evening, however, as they were walking up the Rue Lafayette
-towards the obscure hotel, the stranger had been suddenly seized with
-sharp pains in the region of his heart.  Neither man had tasted food for
-twenty-four hours, and both were cold and faint.
-
-Diamond, however, took the man's arm and managed to get him back to his
-room.  There he examined him carefully, and having diagnosed the case,
-recognised the extreme danger, but told the patient nothing decisive.
-
-He saw the proprietor, and from him borrowed three francs.  Then he
-wrote a prescription which he took round to the big Pharmacie du Nord,
-at the corner.
-
-The mixture revived the invalid, but in the night he collapsed again.
-At mid-day Diamond obtained a cup of bouillon from a cheap restaurant
-near, and brought it to the man who had refused his name.  And he had
-now sat by the bedside with his fingers upon the patient's pulse all
-through that short gloomy afternoon.
-
-"I'm sorry things are so bad as they are," the Doctor was saying, as he
-handed the invalid the big blue envelope, for he had, an hour before,
-told him the truth.  "You ought to have had advice long ago."
-
-The dying man smiled faintly and shook his head.
-
-"I was warned in Stockholm," he answered in a low tone.  "But I didn't
-heed.  I--I was a fool."
-
-The Doctor sighed.  What could he say?  He had recognised that the poor
-fellow was already beyond human aid.  He had probably been suffering
-from the affection of the heart for the past six or seven years--perhaps
-more.
-
-"And you are certain?" asked the ugly little man at last, again taking
-the thin, bony hand in his.  "Are you quite certain that you wish to
-send no message to anybody?"
-
-For a few seconds the prostrate man struggled hard to speak.
-
-"No," he succeeded in gasping at last.  "No message--to--anybody."
-
-The Doctor pursed his lips at the rebuff.  The eccentricity of the
-stranger had become more marked in those moments of finality.
-
-His thin, nerveless fingers were fumbling with the bulky envelope, which
-seemed to contain a quantity of folded papers.
-
-"Doctor," he whispered at last, "I--I want to burn--all these--all--
-every one of them.  Burn them entirely."
-
-"As you wish, my dear friend," responded the hunchback, eyeing the
-envelope eagerly, and wondering what it might contain.  "I'll put a
-match to them in the stove yonder."
-
-The invalid, by dint of great effort, managed to move himself so that
-his eyes could fall upon the little door in the round iron stove, in
-which, however, no fire was burning, even though the day was bitterly
-cold.
-
-Yet he hesitated, hesitated as though he dared not trust the hungry
-little man who had befriended him.
-
-"Do you wish them destroyed?" the Doctor again inquired.
-
-The dying man nodded, at the same moment raising his finger and
-motioning that he could not speak.
-
-Diamond waited.  He saw that the patient was vainly endeavouring to
-articulate some words.
-
-For several moments there was a dead silence.
-
-At last the nameless man spoke again, very softly and indistinctly.
-Indeed, the Doctor was compelled to bend low to catch the words:
-
-"Take them," he said.  "Take them--and burn them in the stove.  Mind--
-destroy every one."
-
-"Certainly I will," answered the other.  "Give them to me, and you shall
-see me burn them.  I'll do so there--before your eyes."
-
-The man held the envelope in his dying grip.  He still hesitated.  His
-eyes were fixed upon the papers wistfully, as though filled with
-poignant regret at a mission unaccomplished.
-
-"Ah!" he gasped with difficulty.  "To think that this is the end--the
-end of a lifetime's study and struggle!  Death defeats me, vanquishes
-me--as it has vanquished every other man who has striven to learn the
-secret."
-
-Diamond stood listening in wonder and curiosity.  He noticed the dying
-man's reluctance to destroy the papers.
-
-Perhaps he would succumb, and leave them undestroyed!  What secret could
-they contain?
-
-There was a long silence.  The grey light over the thousands of
-chimney-pots was fast fading into gloom.  The room was darkening.
-
-The patient lay motionless as one dead, yet his dull eyes were still
-open.  In his hand he still held his treasured envelope.
-
-Again Diamond spoke, but the man with a secret made no reply.  He only
-raised his wan hand, and shook his head sadly, indicating inability to
-speak.
-
-The queer little Doctor bent once more closer to the stranger and saw
-that the end was near.  He was hoping against hope that the man would
-expire before he had strength to order the destruction of those
-documents, whatever they were.  The mysterious statements of the dying
-man had indicated that the papers in question contained some remarkable
-secret, and naturally his curiosity had been aroused.
-
-During those three brief days of their acquaintance he had, in vain,
-tried to form some conclusion as to who the stranger might be.  At first
-he had believed him to be a broken-down medical man like himself.  But
-that surmise had been quickly negatived.  He was a professional man
-without a doubt, but he had carefully concealed even his profession as
-well as his name.
-
-The doctor had re-seated himself in the rickety rush-bottomed chair at
-the bedside, and sat in patience for the end, as he had sat beside
-hundreds of other dying men and women in the course of his career.
-
-The patient breathed heavily, and again stirring uneasily, cast a
-longing look at the glass of lemonade upon the little table near by.
-Diamond recognised his wish, and held the tumbler to the man's parched
-lips.
-
-The dying stranger motioned, and the Doctor bent his head until his ear
-was near the other's mouth.
-
-"Doctor," he managed to whisper after great difficulty, "it's no use.
-There's no hope!  Therefore will you take them to the stove--and--and
-burn them--_burn them all_!"
-
-"Certainly I will," was the Doctor's reply, rising and slowly taking the
-envelope from the prostrate man's reluctant fingers.
-
-He felt crisp papers within as he turned his back upon the dying man and
-bent down to the stove, placing himself between the invalid's line of
-vision and the stove itself.
-
-A moment later, however, he opened the stove-door, placed the envelope
-within, and applied a match to it.
-
-Next moment a blood-red light fell across the darkening room upon the
-pallid face lying on the pillow.
-
-A pair of dull, anxious, deep-set eyes watched the flames leap up and
-quickly die down again, watched the crinkling tinder as the sparks died
-out one by one--watched until Diamond stirred up the charred folios in
-order that every one should be consumed.
-
-Then he turned slightly in his bed and, stretching forth his hand as
-though wishing to speak, drew a long, hard breath.
-
-"And--and so--vanishes all my hope--my life," the stranger managed to
-sob bitterly in a voice almost inaudible.
-
-Again he sighed--a long-drawn sigh.  And then--in the room, now almost
-dark, reigned a complete silence.
-
-Death had entered there.  The man with the secret had passed to that
-land which lies beyond human ken.
-
-CHAPTER TWO.
-
-DESCRIBES THE DOCTOR'S DOINGS.
-
-Raymond Diamond's unfortunate deformity had always been against his
-advancement in his profession.
-
-The only son of old Doctor Diamond, a country practitioner of the old
-school, in Norfolk, he had had a brilliant career at Edinburgh, and
-after some years of changeful life as a _locum tenens_ had bought a
-partnership in a practice on the outskirts of Birmingham.
-
-His partner turned out to be a rogue who had misrepresented facts, and
-six months afterwards absconded to America.  Diamond, however, betrayed
-a sharp resourcefulness.  He advertised the practice in the _Lancet_,
-and when a prospective purchaser came to view it, he hired fourteen or
-fifteen men to come into the surgery, one after the other, and pay fees.
-Such an impression did this ruse cause upon the newly married medico,
-who came from London to investigate, that he bought it at once, and
-Diamond netted nearly twice the sum he originally gave for his
-partnership.
-
-Finding that his deformity precluded him from forming anything like a
-lucrative practice, he accepted a berth as ship's doctor in the P&O
-service, and for some years sailed the Indian and China seas.
-
-Back in London again, he drifted from one suburban practice to another,
-doing _locum_ work, and at last built up a semblance of a practice in a
-cheap new suburban district down at Catford.
-
-Even there, however, his ugliness proved much against him, and at last
-he was forced to retire into a Northamptonshire village, where he and
-his wife eked out a modest living by adopting children upon yearly
-payments.
-
-It was not a very creditable means of livelihood, yet the several
-children beneath their cottage roof were all well treated and well cared
-for.  And after all, Raymond Diamond, a brilliant man in many ways, was
-only a failure because of his physical shortcomings.
-
-He knew his Paris well.  In his younger days he had often been there.
-Indeed, he once resided at St Cloud with an invalid gentleman for close
-upon two years.  Long years of travel had rendered him a thorough-going
-cosmopolitan, even though his lot was now cast in a sleepy country
-village.
-
-The reason of his present visit to Paris was in order to interview the
-father of one of his adopted daughters, but the man had not kept the
-appointment, and by waiting from day to day in hope of finding him, he
-had exhausted his slender finances, and he knew that his patient wife
-was in a similar condition of penury at home.
-
-He was certainly a strikingly ugly man.  His forehead was broad and
-bulgy, and his face narrowed to the point of the beard.  His head seemed
-too large, his arms too long and ungainly, while his face was deeply
-furrowed by long years at sea.  His mouth, too, was wide and ugly and
-when he laughed he displayed an uneven row of teeth much discoloured by
-tobacco.
-
-With folded arms, he was standing by the dead stranger, silently
-contemplating the white upturned face which showed distinctly in the
-fading twilight.
-
-"I wonder who he was?" he exclaimed aloud.  "Why did he refuse his name,
-and why was he so particular to burn those papers?  He was a queer
-stick--poor fellow!  I suppose they have inquests in France, and I'll
-get something as a witness."
-
-And he pulled the sheet tenderly across to hide the lifeless visage.
-
-"But," he added, "perhaps I've rendered myself liable because I didn't
-call in a French doctor!"
-
-Then, suddenly arousing himself, he walked softly across to the stove
-and, spreading his handkerchief on the floor, raked out all the tinder
-into it.  To his satisfaction he saw, as he had anticipated, that some
-of the papers, closely folded as they were, had only been burned at the
-edges.
-
-One of them he opened, and found it covered with typewriting.
-
-"These will, no doubt, prove interesting," he remarked to himself as he
-gathered every particle up into the handkerchief, and very carefully
-folded it over to protect it.
-
-The lid of an old cardboard box which he found under the bed he broke
-up, and placing one piece above the handkerchief and the other below, he
-put the whole into the breast-pocket of his shabby frock-coat.
-
-The stranger's bag he next examined.  It was old, and covered with
-labels of first-class hotels--many of them in cities in the Near East
-and the Levant.  The contents were disappointing, only a couple of
-shirts marked with the initials "P.H.", several dirty collars, a cravat
-or two, and a safety razor, together with a few unimportant odds and
-ends.
-
-"The proprietor must have these, in lieu of his bill, I suppose,"
-Diamond said.  "I wonder what `P.H.' stands for?  He was a well-read man
-without a doubt.  By Jove! he took his blow as bravely as any fellow
-I've seen go under.  With a heart like that, it's a marvel that he lived
-so long.  If I knew who his relatives were, I'd `wire' to them--
-providing I had the money," he added with a bitter smile.
-
-Then he shrugged his shoulders, and after striking a match to reassure
-himself that nothing had been left inside the stove to betray the fact
-that papers had been burned there, he turned upon his heel and left the
-room.
-
-Below, in his dingy little back room on the first floor, he saw the
-proprietor, and told him what had occurred.
-
-The old man grunted in his armchair and ordered the greasy-looking
-_valet-de-chambre_ to inform the police, but to first go and search the
-dead man's effects and ascertain if he had left any money.
-
-"Monsieur Blanc was penniless, like myself," Diamond said.  "Neither of
-us had eaten all day yesterday."
-
-"No money to pay his bill!" croaked the old Frenchman, who looked more
-like a _concierge_ than a hotel proprietor.  "And you are also without
-money?" he asked glaring.
-
-"I regret that such is the truth," was Diamond's answer with much
-politeness.  "Has not m'sieur noticed in life that honest men are mostly
-poor?  Thieves and rogues are usually in funds."
-
-"Then I must ask you to leave my hotel at once," said the old man
-testily.
-
-The Doctor grinned, and bowed.
-
-"If that is m'sieur's decision, I can do nothing else but obey," was his
-polite answer.
-
-"You will leave your luggage, of course."
-
-"M'sieur is quite welcome to all he finds," was the Doctor's response,
-and with another bow he turned and strode out.
-
-His plan had worked admirably.  He had no desire to remain there in the
-present circumstances.  To be ordered out was certainly better than to
-flee.
-
-So he walked gaily down the stairs, and a few minutes later was
-strolling airily down the Rue Lafayette, in the direction of the Opera.
-
-The hotel proprietor and the _valet-de-chambre_ quickly searched the
-dead man's room, but beyond the bag and its contents found nothing.
-Afterwards they informed the police.
-
-Meanwhile Raymond Diamond walked on, undecided how to act.  He had
-already reached the Place de l'Opera, now bright beneath its many
-electric lamps, before he had made up his mind.  He would go once again
-in search of little Aggie's father, the man who owed him money.
-
-Therefore he turned into the narrow Rue des Petit-Champs, and half-way
-down entered a house, passed the _concierge_, and ascended to a flat on
-the second floor.
-
-Fully twenty times he had called there before, but the place was shut,
-as its owner, an Englishman, was absent somewhere in the Midi.  When,
-however, he rang, he heard movement within.
-
-His heart leapt for joy, for when the door opened there stood Mr
-Mullet, a tall, thin, red-haired man with a long pale face and a
-reddish, bristly moustache, who, the moment he recognised his visitor,
-stretched forth his hand in welcome.
-
-"Come in, Doctor," he cried cheerily.  "I got back only this morning,
-and the _concierge_ gave me your card.  I expected, however, you'd grown
-tired of waiting, and returned to England.  How's my little Aggie?"
-
-"She grows a bonnie girl, Mr Mullet--quite a bonnie girl," answered the
-ugly little man.  "Gets on wonderfully well at school.  And Lady Gavin,
-at the Manor, takes quite an interest in her."
-
-"That's right.  I'm glad to hear it--very glad.  Though I'm a bit of a
-rover, Doctor, I'm always thinking of the child you know.  Why--she must
-be nearly thirteen now."
-
-"Nearly.  It's fully six years since I took her off your hands."
-
-"Fully."
-
-And the two men sat down in the rather comfortable room of the tall,
-cadaverous-looking man, a mining engineer, whose adventures would have
-filled a volume.
-
-David Mullet, or "Red Mullet" as his friends called him on account of
-the colour of his hair, offered the Doctor a good cigar from his case,
-poured out two glasses of brandy and soda, and after a chat took out two
-notes of a thousand francs from the pocket-book he carried and handed
-them to his visitor, receiving a receipt in return.
-
-"I've been a long time paying, I'm afraid, Doctor," laughed the man
-airily.  "But you know what kind of fellow I am!  Sometimes I'm flush of
-money, and at others devilish hard up."
-
-"I'm hard up, or I wouldn't press for this."
-
-"My dear Doctor, it's been owing for two years.  And I'm very glad to
-get out of your debt."
-
-"Well, Mr Mullet," Diamond said, "eighty pounds is a lot to me just
-now.  I haven't had a square meal for days, and to tell the truth I've
-just been ordered out of my hotel."
-
-"My dear fellow, that's happened to me dozens of times," laughed the
-other.  "I never feel sorry for the proprietor.  I only regret that I
-can't give tips to the servants.  I suppose you'll go back home--eh?"
-
-"To-night, or by the first service in the morning."
-
-"By Jove, I'd like to see my little Aggie.  I wonder," exclaimed the
-man, "I wonder if I could manage to get across?"
-
-"It isn't far," urged the Doctor.
-
-But "Red Mullet" hesitated.  He had a cause to hesitate.  There was a
-hidden reason why for the past three years he had not put foot on
-English soil.
-
-He shook his head sadly as he recognised that discretion was the better
-part of valour.  He was too wary a man to run his neck into a noose.
-
-"No," he said, "I think that in a few weeks I'll ask you to bring little
-Aggie over here to see me.  You won't mind the trip--eh?"
-
-"Not at all," was the reply.  "Aggie will hardly know her father, I
-expect.  She looks upon me as her parent."
-
-"That was what we arranged, Doctor.  She was to take your name, and you
-were to bring her up as your own daughter.  I have a reason for that."
-
-"So you told me six years ago."
-
-"Red Mullet" nodded, and stretched out his long legs lazily as he
-contemplated the smoke of his cigar ascending to the ceiling.
-Recollections of his child had struck a sympathetic chord in his memory.
-There were incidents in his life that he would fain have forgotten.
-One of them was now recalled.
-
-Quickly, however, the shadow passed, and his brow cleared.  He became
-the same easy-going, humorous man he always had been, possessing a merry
-_bonhomie_ and a fund of stories regarding his own amusing experiences
-in various out-of-the-way corners of the world.
-
-At last the Doctor, with eighty pounds in his pocket, rose and wished
-his friend adieu.
-
-Then he walked to a _brasserie_ in the Avenue de l'Opera, where he dined
-well, concluding his meal with coffee and a liqueur, and at nine o'clock
-he left the Gare du Nord for Calais and London.
-
-The reason of his sudden flight from Paris was the fear of having
-contravened the law by not calling in a French medical man when he knew
-that the case of the mysterious Blanc was hopeless.  Detention would
-mean trouble and much expense.  Therefore he deemed it best to get
-across to England at the earliest possible moment.
-
-At six o'clock next morning he found himself in a small hotel called the
-Norfolk in Surrey Street, Strand, where he had on one or two occasions
-stayed.  The waiter having brought up his breakfast, he locked the door
-and, going to the table, he took from his pocket the packet of charred
-paper and broken tinder which he had abstracted from the stove in Paris.
-
-With infinite care he opened the handkerchief and spread it out.  The
-tinder had broken into tiny fragments and some had been reduced to black
-powder, while the half-charred paper split as he attempted to open it.
-
-He had switched on the light, for the London dawn had not yet spread.
-Then, seating himself at the table, he proceeded to examine and decipher
-the remains of the papers which the dying man believed he had entirely
-destroyed.
-
-For some time he could make nothing of the lines of written words, which
-had neither beginning nor end.
-
-Suddenly, however, he held his breath.  He sat erect, statuesque, his
-dark eyes staring at the paper.
-
-Then he re-read the written lines eagerly.
-
-"Great Heavens!  How strange!" he cried.  "How utterly astounding!  That
-man who refused his name had learned the greatest and most important
-secret this modern world of ours contains!  And it is in my
-hands--_mine_!  My God!  Is it true--is it really true what this man
-alleges?"
-
-He paused and again re-read the smoke-blackened, half-burned pages.  For
-some moments he sat with his mouth open in utter astonishment.  He could
-scarcely believe his own eyes.
-
-"His secret--his amazing secret, one unheard of--is mine!" he gasped,
-glancing around the room, as though half-fearful lest he had been
-overheard.  "I shall be a rich man--one of the richest in all Europe!
-Before six months is out the whole world will be at the feet of Raymond
-Diamond!"
-
-CHAPTER THREE.
-
-SHOWS ONE OF THE FRAGMENTS.
-
-"Well," declared the Doctor, speaking to himself, "even my success in
-intra-laryngeal operations was not half so interesting as this!"
-
-And again he bent to examine the half-charred fragments before him.
-Some were in typewriting, one was in a small fine script.  One hardly
-legible was in German, others were in English, interspersed here and
-there with words which he recognised were in Hebrew character.
-
-In that small bedroom, beneath the rather dim electric light, the
-deformed little man sat pouring over the folios so dry that they cracked
-and crumbled when touched.
-
-Much was undecipherable; the greater part had indeed been utterly
-consumed, but here and there he was enabled to read consecutive
-sentences, and those he made out utterly staggered him.
-
-Indeed, so full of interest, so curious, and so amazing they would have
-staggered anybody.
-
-He held in his hands the dead man's secret--a secret that on the face of
-it, seemed to be the strangest and at the same time the most unsuspected
-in all the world.
-
-Suddenly he sat back, and, staring straight across the narrow room,
-exclaimed aloud:
-
-"Why, there are men in the city this very day who'd give me ten thousand
-pounds for the remains of these papers!  But would I sell them?  No--not
-for ten times that amount!  Who knows what this discovery may not be
-worth?"
-
-He chuckled to himself.  Already he felt himself a wealthy man, a man
-who could dictate his own terms in financial circles--a man who would be
-welcomed in audience by crowned heads themselves!
-
-He sighed, and the heavy exhalation blew a quantity of fragments of
-tinder away upon the carpet.
-
-"I wish I hadn't burned them quite so much," he said regretfully.  "Had
-I had a newspaper handy I could have lit that instead.  Or--or I might
-easily have delayed their destruction until--until after the end.  Yet
-he seemed quite conscious, up to the very last moment.  No wonder he
-regretted death before the fulfilment of the great work he had
-commenced--no wonder he contemplated moving to the Grand Hotel at an
-early date!  And yet," he added, after a pause, "it's all very
-intricate, very indistinct, and requires a greater scholar than myself
-to properly understand and unravel it."
-
-The chief document, consisting of about ten typewritten pages in
-English, had been badly burned.  It was this which he was now engaged in
-trying to decipher.  At the top left-hand corner the sheets had
-originally been held together by a paper-fastener, but that corner had
-been consumed as well as all round the edges.  The centre alone of three
-folios remained readable, even though it had been yellowed by smoke.
-
-"There seem very many references to Israel, to Nebuchadnezzar, King of
-Babylon, and to the Book of the Prophet Ezekiel.  Yet they seem to
-convey nothing.  Ah!" he sighed, "if only I could reconstruct the
-context.  There are Biblical references, too.  I must obtain a Bible."
-
-So he rose, rang for a waiter, and asked him whether there was such a
-thing in the hotel as a copy of Holy Writ.
-
-The man, a young German, naturally regarded the visitor as an eccentric
-person or a religious crank, but he went at once and borrowed a small
-Bible from the chambermaid--a volume which afterwards proved to contain,
-between its leaves, small texts of her Sunday-school days, several
-pressed flowers, and a lock of hair.
-
-A reference given upon one of the crinkled folios was "Ezekiel xxviii,
-24."
-
-Reseating himself after the young German had left, Raymond Diamond
-hastily turned over the pages of the little well-thumbed Bible and found
-what proved to be the prophecy of the restoration of Israel.
-
-Another reference in the next line of the half-burnt screed was Ezekiel
-xl, xli and xlii, no verses being designated.
-
-On turning to these chapters, the doctor found that they contained a
-description of Ezekiel's vision of the measuring of the temple.
-
-Continuing, he read the further dimensions of the temple, the size of
-the chambers for the priests, and the measures of the outer court "to
-make a separation between the sanctuary and the profane place."
-
-All this conveyed to the deformed man but little.
-
-That it had some connection with the strange secret was apparent, but in
-what manner he failed to distinguish.
-
-He had gathered broadly that the dead man's discovery was an amazing
-one, and that a strange secret was revealed by those documents when they
-were intact, but it was all so mystifying, so astounding, that he could
-scarce give it shape within his own bewildered brain.
-
-The enormous possibilities of the discovery had utterly dumbfounded
-him--it was a discovery that was unheard of.
-
-In order to present to the reader some idea of the fragments of the dead
-man's papers lying upon the table before him, it may be of interest if
-the present writer gives a photographic representation of one of the
-badly burned folios.
-
-As will easily be seen, the undestroyed fragment of the document showed
-but little that was tangible.  Of interest, it was true, but the
-interest was, alas! a well-concealed one.  The dead man was a scholar.
-Of that there was no doubt whatsoever.  The doctor had recognised from
-the first that he was no ordinary person.
-
-The document seemed to be a portion of some statement made by a person
-as to the curious and unexpected result of certain studies.
-
-He who made the declaration had apparently been a student of the Talmud,
-and especially the school of the Amoraim, or debaters, who about A.D.
-250 expounded the "Mishna."
-
-Raymond Diamond had long ago read Wunsche, Bacher and Strack, and from
-them had learned how the Amoraim had expounded the "Mishna," and how
-their labours had formed the Gemara, while the united Mishna and Gemara
-formed the books of the Talmud.  By that time, and even earlier, the
-teachers of Judaism were also working in the schools of Babylonis.
-Hence the Talmud now exists in two forms--the Palestinian Talmud, or
-Talmud of Jerusalem, and the Babylonian Talmud.  Rabbi Jehuda compiled
-the "Mishna" which, in general, sums up the outcome of the activity of
-the Sopherim, Zugoth and Tannaim, and thus became the canonical book of
-the oral law.
-
-He was recalling these facts as he sat staring at the half-charred
-fragments on the table before him.
-
-"The person making the declaration," he said aloud to himself, "appears
-to have discovered certain hidden meanings in the `Mishna.'  Well--one
-can read hidden meanings in most writings, I believe, if one wishes.
-Yet he seems to have come across something which amazed him--some
-cabalistic message very complicated and ingenious.  It caused him great
-astonishment when he found himself able to--able to what?  Ah! that's
-the point," he sighed.
-
-Then, after another long pause, he decided that "nine ch--" meant "nine
-chapters," and that the final lines of the page dealt with some
-declaration opening with the arrival of the Messiah.
-
-"Yes," he said in a hard decisive tone, straightening his crooked back
-as well as he was able.  "There is a mystery explained here--a great and
-most astounding mystery."
-
-CHAPTER FOUR.
-
-CONCERNS A CONSULTATION.
-
-Late that same afternoon Raymond Diamond walked up the long muddy
-by-road which led from Horsford station to the village, about a mile
-distant.
-
-Horsford was an obscure little place, still quite out-of-the-world, even
-in these days of trains and motor-cars.
-
-About four miles west of Peterborough on the edge of the fox-hunting
-country, it was a pleasant little spot consisting of a beautiful old
-Norman church, with one of the finest towers in England and one long,
-straggling street mostly of thatched houses.
-
-There were only two large houses--Horsford House, at the top of the hill
-on the Peterborough side, and the Manor, an old seventeenth-century
-mansion, half-way down the village.
-
-It was not yet dark when the Doctor, the only arrival by train, turned
-the corner by the Wheel Inn and entered the village.  As he did so,
-Warr, who combined the business of publican and village butcher, wished
-him a cheery "Good evenin', Doctor."
-
-And as the little man trudged up the long street he was greeted with
-many such salutes, to all of which he answered mechanically, for he was
-thinking--thinking deeply.
-
-The fragrant smell of burning wood from the cottages greeted his
-nostrils--the smell of that quiet little village which for some years
-had been his home.
-
-He breathed again in that rural peace, as a dozen cows slowly plodded
-past him.
-
-At last he turned from the main street, up a short, steep hill where, at
-the end of a small _cul-de-sac_, stood a long, old-fashioned,
-two-storied cottage with its dormer-windows peeping forth from the brown
-thatch.  In summer, over the whole front of it spread a wealth of
-climbing roses, but now, in winter, only the brown leafless branches
-remained.
-
-In the small, well-kept front garden were a number of well-trimmed
-evergreens, while an old box-hedge ran around the tiny domain.
-
-As he lifted the latch of the gate, Mrs Diamond, a neat, well-preserved
-woman in black, threw open the door with a cheery welcome, and a moment
-later he was in his own old-fashioned little dining-room, warming
-himself at the fire, which, sending forth a ruddy glow, illuminated the
-room.
-
-For such a humble home, it was quite a cosy apartment.  Upon the
-old-fashioned oak-dresser at the end were one or two pieces of blue
-china, and on the oak overmantel were a few odd pieces of Worcester and
-Delft.  On the walls were one or two engravings, while the furniture was
-of antique pattern and well in keeping with the place.
-
-The doctor possessed artistic tastes, and was also a connoisseur to no
-small degree.  In the days when he had possessed means, he had been fond
-of hunting for curios or making purchases of old furniture and china,
-but, alas! in these latter days of his adversity he had experienced even
-a difficulty in making both ends meet.
-
-"I received your telegram, Raymond dear," exclaimed Mrs Diamond.  "I'm
-so glad you were successful in finding Aggie's father.  It's taken a
-great weight from my mind."
-
-"And from mine also," he said with a sigh seated before the fire with
-his hands outstretched to the flames.  "Mullet wants me to take the
-child over to Paris to see him in a week or so."
-
-"Why does he not come over here?"
-
-The Doctor pulled a wry face, and shrugged his shoulders ominously.
-
-His wife, by her speech, showed herself to be a woman of refinement.
-She had been the widow of a medical man in Manchester before Diamond had
-married her.  Though it was much against her grain to submit to
-registration as a foster-mother of children, yet it had been their only
-course.  Raymond Diamond was too ugly to succeed in his profession.  The
-public dislike a deformed doctor.
-
-He told his wife how he had been at the end of his resources in Paris,
-and how, just at the moment when things had looked blackest, "Red
-Mullet" had returned.  But he made no mention of meeting the stranger,
-or of the record of the curious secret which, between two pieces of
-cardboard, now reposed carefully in his breast-pocket.
-
-Its possession held him in a kind of stupor.  From what he had been able
-to gather--or rather from what he imagined the truth to be--he already
-felt himself an immensely wealthy man.  He was, in fact, already
-planning out his own future.
-
-The dead stranger had said he intended to remove to the Grand Hotel.
-Diamond's intention was to go further--to purchase a fine estate
-somewhere in the grass-country, and in future live the life of a
-gentleman.
-
-Mrs Diamond noticed her husband's preoccupied manner, and naturally
-attributed it to financial embarrassment.
-
-A few moments later the door opened, and a pretty, fair-haired girl,
-about thirteen, entered, and finding the doctor had returned, rushed
-towards him and, throwing her arms about his neck, kissed him, saying:
-
-"I had no idea you were back again, dad.  I went down the station-path
-half-way, expecting to meet you."
-
-"I came by the road, my child," was the Doctor's reply as he stroked her
-long fair hair.  "I've been to Paris--to see your dad, Aggie," he added.
-
-"My other dad," repeated the child reflectively.  "I--I hardly remember
-him.  You are my own dear old dad!"  And she stroked his cheek with her
-soft hand.
-
-Aggie was the doctor's favourite.  He was devoted to the daughter of
-that tall, thin man who was such a cosmopolitan adventurer, the child
-who was now the eldest of his family, and who had, ever since she had
-arrived, a wee weakly little thing, always charmed him by her bright
-intelligence and merry chatter.
-
-She was a distinctly pretty child, neat in her dark-blue frock and white
-pinafore.  In the village school she was head of her class, and Mr
-Holmes, the popular, good-humoured schoolmaster, had already suggested
-to the Doctor, and also to Lady Gavin at the Manor, that she should be
-sent to the Secondary School at Peterborough now that he could teach her
-no more.
-
-The Doctor drew Aggie upon his knee, and told her of her father's
-inquiries and of his suggestion that she should go to Paris to see him.
-
-Paris seemed to the child such a long way off.  She had seen it marked
-upon the wall-maps in school, but to her youthful mind it was only a
-legendary city.
-
-"I don't want to leave Horsford, dad," replied the girl with a slight
-pout.  "I want to remain with you."
-
-"Not in order to see and know your father?"
-
-"You are my dad--my only dad," she declared quickly.  "I don't want to
-see my other dad at all," she added decisively.  "If he wants to see me,
-why doesn't he come here?"
-
-"He can't my dear," replied the doctor.  "But tell me.  Have you seen
-Lady Gavin since I've been away?"
-
-"No, dad.  Mr Farquhar and his sister have come to stay at the Manor,
-so she's always engaged."
-
-"Frank Farquhar is down here again, eh?" asked Diamond quickly.  Then he
-reflected deeply for a few moments.
-
-He was wondering if Farquhar could help him--if he dare take the young
-man into his confidence.
-
-Nowadays he was "out of it."  He knew nobody, buried there as he was in
-that rural solitude.
-
-"Is Sir George at home?" he asked the child, who, like all other
-children, knew the whole gossip of the village.
-
-"No, dad.  He started for Egypt yesterday.  Will Chapman told me so."
-
-The Doctor ate his tea, with his wife and five "daughters" of varying
-ages, all bright, bonnie children, who looked the picture of good
-health.
-
-Then, after a wash and putting on another suit, he went out, strolling
-down the village to where the big old Manor House, with its quaint
-gables and wide porch, stood far back behind its sloping lawn.
-
-Generations of squires of Horsford had lived and died there, as their
-tombs in the splendid Norman church almost adjoining testified.  It was
-a house where many of the rooms were panelled, where the entrance-hall
-was of stone, with a well staircase and a real "priests' hole" on the
-first floor.
-
-He ascended the steps, and his ring was answered by a smart Italian
-man-servant.  Yes.  Mr Farquhar was at home.  Would the doctor kindly
-step into the library?
-
-Diamond entered that well-known room on the right of the hall--a room
-lined from floor to ceiling with books in real Chippendale bookcases,
-and in the centre a big old-fashioned writing-table.  Over the fireplace
-were several ancient manuscripts in neat frames, while beside the
-blazing fire stood a couple of big saddle-bag chairs.
-
-Sir George Gavin, Baronet, posed to the world as a literary man, though
-he had risen from the humble trade of a compositor to become owner of a
-number of popular newspapers.  He knew nothing about literature and
-cared less.  He left all such matters to the editors and writers whom he
-paid--clever men who earned for him the magnificent income which he now
-enjoyed.  Upon the cover of one of his periodicals it was stated that he
-was editor.  But as a matter of fact he hardly ever saw the magazine in
-question, except perhaps upon the railway bookstalls.  His sole thought
-was the handsome return its publication produced.  And, like so many
-other men in our England to-day, he had simply "paid up" and received
-his baronetcy among the Birthday honours, just as he had received his
-membership of the Carlton.
-
-Diamond had not long to wait, for in a few moments the door opened, and
-there entered a smart-looking, dark-haired young man in a blue serge
-suit.
-
-"Hulloa, Doc!  How are you?" he exclaimed.  "I'm back again, you see--
-just down for a day or two to see my sister.  And how has Horsford been
-progressing during my absence--eh?" he laughed.
-
-Frank Farquhar, Lady Gavin's younger brother, occupied an important
-position in the journalistic concern of which Sir George was the head.
-He was recognised by journalistic London as one of its smartest young
-men.  His career at Oxford had been exceptionally brilliant, and he had
-already distinguished himself as special correspondent in the Boer and
-Russo-Japanese campaigns before Sir George Gavin had invited him to join
-his staff.
-
-Tall, lithe, well set-up, with a dark, rather acquiline face, a small
-dark moustache, and a pair of sharp, intelligent eyes, he was alert,
-quick of movement, and altogether a "live" journalist.
-
-The two men seated themselves on either side of the fireplace, and
-Farquhar, having offered his visitor a cigar, settled himself to listen
-to Diamond's story.
-
-"I've come to you," the Doctor explained, "because I believe that you,
-and perhaps Sir George also, can help me.  Don't think that I want any
-financial assistance," he laughed.  "Not at all.  I want to put before
-you a matter which is unheard of, and which I am certain will astound
-even you--a journalist."
-
-"Well, Doc," remarked the young man with a smile, "it takes a lot to
-surprise us in Fleet Street, you know."
-
-"This will.  Listen."  And then, having extracted a promise of silence,
-Diamond related to the young man the whole story of the dead stranger,
-and the curious document that had been only half-consumed.
-
-When the Doctor explained that the papers had not been wholly burned,
-Frank Farquhar rose quickly in pretence of obtaining an ash-tray, but in
-reality in order to conceal the strange expression which at that, moment
-overspread his countenance.
-
-Then, a few seconds later, he returned to his chair apparently quite
-unmoved and unconcerned.  Truth to tell, however, the statement made by
-the dwarfed and deformed man before him had caused him to tighten his
-lips and hold his breath.
-
-Was it possible that he held certain secret knowledge of which the
-Doctor was ignorant, and which he could turn to advantage?
-
-He remained silent, with a smile of incredulity playing about his mouth.
-
-The truth was this.  Within his heart he had already formed a fixed
-intention that the dead man's secret--the most remarkable secret of the
-age--should be his, and his alone!
-
-CHAPTER FIVE.
-
-SPREADS THE NET.
-
-The deformed man existed in a whirl of excitement.  He already felt
-himself rich beyond his wildest dreams.  He built castles in the air
-like a child, and smiled contentedly when rich people--some of the
-hunting crowd--passed him by unrecognised.
-
-During the three days that followed, Frank Farquhar held several
-consultations with him--long earnest talks sometimes at the Manor or
-else while walking across that heath-land around the district known to
-the followers to hounds as the Horsford Hanglands.
-
-The villagers who saw them together made no comment.  As was well known,
-the little Doctor and Lady Gavin's clever young brother were friends.
-
-Diamond had enjoined the strictest secrecy, but Farquhar, as a keen man
-of business and determined to put his knowledge to the best advantage,
-had already exchanged several telegrams with some person in London, and
-was now delaying matters with Diamond until he obtained a decided reply.
-
-On the fourth day, just after breakfast, Burton, the grave old butler,
-handed the young man a telegram which caused him to smile with
-satisfaction.  He crushed it into his pocket and, seizing his hat,
-walked along to the Doctor's cottage.  Then the pair took a slow stroll
-up the short, steep hill on to the Peterborough road, through the damp
-mists of the winter's morning.  Away across the meadows on the left,
-hounds were in full cry, a pretty sight, but neither noticed the
-incident.
-
-"Do you know, Doctor," exclaimed the young man as soon as they got
-beyond the village, "I've been thinking very seriously over the affair,
-and I've come to the conclusion that unless we put it before some great
-Hebrew scholar we shall never get down to the truth.  The whole basis of
-the secret is the Hebrew language, without a doubt.  What can we do
-alone--you and I?"
-
-The little Doctor shook his head dubiously.
-
-"I admit that neither of us is sufficiently well versed in Jewish
-history properly to understand the references which are given in the
-fragments which remain to us," he said.  "Yet if we go to a scholar,
-explain our views, and show him the documents, should we not be giving
-away what is evidently a most valuable secret?"
-
-"No.  I hardly think that," answered the shrewd young man.  "Before
-putting it to any scholar we should first make terms with him, so that
-he may not go behind our backs and profit upon the information."
-
-"You can't do that!" declared Diamond.
-
-"Among scholars there are a good many honourable men," replied Frank
-Farquhar, with a glance of cunning.  "If we proposed to deal with City
-sharks, it would be quite a different matter."
-
-"Then to whom do you propose we should submit the documents for expert
-opinion?" inquired the deformed man, as he trudged along at his side.
-
-"I know a man up in London whom I implicitly trust, and who will treat
-the whole matter in strictest confidence," was the other's reply.  "We
-can do nothing further down here.  I'm going up to town this afternoon,
-and if you like I'll call and see him."
-
-The Doctor hesitated.  He recognised in the young man's suggestion a
-desire to obtain his precious fragments and submit them to an expert.
-Most deformed men are gifted with unusually shrewd intelligence, and
-Raymond Diamond was certainly no exception.  He smiled within himself at
-Frank Farquhar's artless proposal.
-
-"Who is the man?" he asked, as though half-inclined to adopt the
-suggestion.
-
-"I know two men.  One is named Segal--a professor who writes for our
-papers; an exceedingly clever chap, who'd be certain to make out
-something more from the puzzle than we ever can hope to do.  I also know
-Professor Griffin."
-
-"I shall not allow the papers out of my possession."
-
-"Or all that remains of them, you mean," laughed the young man uneasily.
-"Why, of course not.  That would be foolish."
-
-"Foolish in our mutual interests," Diamond went on.  "You are interested
-with myself, Mr Farquhar, in whatever profits may accrue from the
-affair."
-
-"Then if our interests are to be mutual, Doctor, why not entrust the
-further investigation to me?" suggested the wily young man.  "I hope you
-know me sufficiently well to have confidence in my honesty."
-
-The Doctor cast a sharp look at the little young fellow at his side.
-
-"Why, of course, Mr Farquhar," he laughed.  "As I've already said, you
-possess facilities for investigating the affair which I do not.  If what
-I suspect be true, we have, in our hands, the solution of a problem
-which will startle the world.  I have sought your assistance, and I'm
-prepared to give you--well, shall we say fifteen per cent, interest on
-whatever the secret may realise?"
-
-"It may, after all, be only historical knowledge," laughed young
-Farquhar.  "How can you reduce that into `the best and brightest?'
-Still, I accept.  Fifteen per cent is to be my share of whatever profit
-may accrue.  Good!  I only wish Sir George were home from Egypt.  He
-would, no doubt, give us assistance."
-
-The Doctor purposely disregarded this last remark.  He held more than a
-suspicion that young Farquhar intended to "freeze him out."
-
-"When are you going up to town?" he asked.
-
-"This afternoon.  I shall see my man in the morning, and I feel sure
-that if I put the problem before him he'll be able, before long, to give
-us some tangible solution," was Frank's reply.  "When I act, I act
-promptly, you know."
-
-The Doctor was undecided.  He knew quite well that young Farquhar was
-acquainted with all sorts of writers and scholars, and that possibly
-among them were men who were experts in Hebrew, and in the history of
-the House of Israel.
-
-He reflected.  If the young man were content with fifteen per cent, what
-had he further to fear?
-
-Therefore, after some further persuasion on Frank's part, he promised to
-write out an agreement upon a fifteen per cent, basis, and submit the
-fragments to the young man's friend.
-
-They returned to the village, and the Doctor promised to call upon him
-at noon with an agreement written out.
-
-This he did, and in the library at the Manor Frank appended his
-signature, receiving in return the precious fragments carefully
-preserved between the two pieces of cardboard.
-
-When the deformed man had left, Frank Farquhar lit a cigarette, and
-stretching his legs as he sat in the armchair, laughed aloud in triumph.
-
-"Now if I tie down old Griffin the secret will be mine," he remarked
-aloud.  "I've already `wired' to Gwen, so she'll expect me at eight, and
-no doubt tell her father."
-
-At five o'clock Sir George's red "Mercedes" came round to the front of
-the house to take Frank into Peterborough, and half an hour later he was
-in the "up-Scotsman" speeding towards King's Cross, bearing with him the
-secret which he felt confident was to set the whole world by the ears.
-
-He dropped his bag at his rooms in Half Moon Street, had a wash and a
-snack to eat at his club, the New Universities, round in St James's
-Street, and then drove in a taxi-cab to a large, rather comfortable
-house in Pembridge Gardens, that turning exactly opposite Notting Hill
-Gate Station.
-
-Standing behind the neat maid-servant who opened the door was a tall,
-dark-haired, handsome girl not yet twenty, slim, narrow-waisted, and
-essentially dainty and refined.
-
-"Why, Frank!" she cried, rushing towards him.  "What's all this
-excitement.  I'm so interested.  Dad has been most impatient to see you.
-After your letter the day before yesterday, he's been expecting you
-almost every hour."
-
-"Well, the fact is, Gwen, I couldn't get the business through," he said
-with a laugh.  "We had terms to arrange--and all that."
-
-"Terms of what?" asked the girl, as he linked his arm in hers and they
-walked together into the long, well-furnished dining-room.
-
-"I'll tell you all about it presently, dear," he replied.
-
-"About the secret?" she asked anxiously.  "Dad showed me your letter.
-It is really intensely interesting--if what you suspect be actually the
-truth."
-
-"Interesting!" he echoed.  "I should rather think it is.  It's a thing
-that will startle the whole civilised world in a few days.  And the
-curious and most romantic point is that we can't find out who was the
-original holder of the information.  He died in Paris, refusing to give
-his real name, or any account of himself.  But there," he added, "I'll
-tell you all about it later on.  How is my darling?"
-
-And he bent until their lips met in a long, fervent caress.
-
-Her arms were entwined about his neck, for she loved him with the whole
-strength of her being, and her choice was looked upon with entire favour
-by her father.  Frank Farquhar was a rising man, the adopted candidate
-for a Yorkshire borough, while from his interest in Sir George Gavin's
-successful publications he derived a very handsome income for a man of
-his years.
-
-"I've been longing for your return, dearest," she murmured in his ear as
-he kissed her.  "It seems ages ago since you left town."
-
-"Only a month.  I went first to Perthshire, where I had to speak at some
-Primrose League meetings.  Then I had business in both Newcastle and
-Manchester, and afterwards I went to Horsford to see my sister.  I was
-due to stay there another fortnight, but this strange discovery brings
-me up to consult your father."
-
-"He's upstairs in the study.  We'd better go up at once.  He's dying to
-see you," declared the bright-eyed girl, who wore a big black silk bow
-in her hair.  She possessed a sweet innocent face, a pale soft
-countenance indicative of purity of soul.  The pair were, indeed, well
-matched, each devoted to the other; he full of admiration of her beauty
-and her talents, and she proud of his brilliant success in journalism
-and literature.
-
-At the throat of her white silk blouse she wore a curious antique
-brooch, an old engraved sapphire which Sir Charles Gaylor, a friend of
-Dr Griffin, had some years ago brought from the excavation he had made
-in the mound of Nebi-Yunus, near Layard's researches in the vicinity of
-Nineveh.  The rich blue gleamed in the gaslight, catching Frank's eye as
-he ascended the stair, and he remarked that she was wearing what she
-termed her "lucky brooch," a gem which had no doubt adorned some
-maiden's breast in the days of Sennacherib or Esarhaddon.
-
-The first-floor front room, which in all other houses in Pembridge
-Gardens was the drawing-room, had in the house of Professor Griffin been
-converted into the study--a big apartment lined with books which, for
-the most part, were of "a dry-as-dust" character.
-
-As they entered, the Professor, a short, stout, grey-haired man in round
-steel-framed spectacles, raised himself from his armchair, where he had
-been engrossed in an article in a German review.
-
-"Ah! my dear Farquhar!" he cried excitedly.  "Gwen told me that you were
-on your way--but there, you are such a very erratic fellow that I never
-know when to expect you."
-
-"I generally turn up when least expected," laughed the young man, with a
-side-glance at the girl.
-
-"Well, well," exclaimed the man in spectacles; "now what is all this
-you've written to me about?  What `cock-and-bull' story have you got
-hold of now--eh?"
-
-"I briefly explained in my letter," he answered.  "Isn't it very
-remarkable?  What's your opinion?"
-
-"Ah! you journalists!" exclaimed the old professor reprovingly.  "You've
-a lot to answer for to the unsuspecting public."
-
-"I admit that," laughed Frank.  "But do you really dismiss the matter as
-a `cock-and-bull' story?"
-
-"That is how I regard it at the moment--without having been shown
-anything."
-
-"Then I can show you everything," was Farquhar's prompt reply.  "I have
-it all with me--at least all that remains of it."
-
-The old man smiled satirically.  As Regius Professor of Hebrew at
-Cambridge, Dr Arminger Griffin was not a man to accept lightly any
-theory placed before him by an irresponsible writer such as he knew
-Frank Farquhar to be.
-
-He suspected a journalistic "boom" to be at the bottom of the affair,
-and of all things he hated most in the world was the halfpenny press.
-
-Frank had first met Gwen while he had been at college, and had often
-been a visitor at the professor's house out on Grange Road, prior to his
-retirement and return to London.  He knew well in what contempt the old
-man held the popular portion of the daily press, and especially the
-London evening journals.  Therefore he never sought to obtrude his
-profession when in his presence.
-
-"Well?" said the old gentleman at last, peering above his glasses.  "I
-certainly am interested in the story, and I would like to examine what
-you've brought.  Burnt papers--aren't they?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"H'm.  Savours of romance," sniffed the professor.  "That's why I don't
-like it.  The alleged secret itself is attractive enough, without an
-additional and probably wholly fictitious interest."
-
-Frank explained how the fragments had fallen into his hands, and the
-suggestion which Doctor Diamond had made as to the possibility of a
-financial value of the secret.
-
-"My dear Frank," replied the professor, "if it were a secret invention,
-a new pill, or some scented soap attractive to women, it might be worth
-something in the City.  But a secret such as you allege,"--and he
-shrugged his shoulders ominously without concluding his sentence.
-
-"Ah!" laughed the young man.  "I see you're sceptical.  Well, I don't
-wonder at that.  Some men of undoubted ability and great knowledge
-declare that the Bible was not inspired."
-
-"I am not one of those," the professor hastened to declare.
-
-"No, Frank," exclaimed the girl.  "Dad is not an agnostic.  He only
-doubts the genuineness of this secret of yours."
-
-"He condemns the whole thing as a `cock-and-bull' story, without first
-investigating it!" said Farquhar with a grin.  "Good!  I wonder whether
-your father will be of the same opinion after he has examined the
-fragments of the dead man's manuscript which remain to us?"
-
-"Don't talk of the dead man's manuscript!" exclaimed the old professor
-impatiently, "even though the man is dead, it's in typewriting, you
-say--therefore there must exist somebody who typed it.  He, or she, must
-still be alive!"
-
-"By Jove!" gasped the young man quickly, "I never thought of that!  The
-typing is probably only a copy of a written manuscript.  The original
-may still exist.  And in any case the typist would be able to supply to
-a great degree the missing portions of the document."
-
-"Yes," said the other.  "It would be far more advantageous to you to
-find the typist than to consult me.  I fear I can only give you a
-negative opinion."
-
-CHAPTER SIX.
-
-GIVES EXPERT OPINION.
-
-Frank Farquhar was cleverly working his own game.  The Professor had
-scoffed at the theory put forward by Diamond, therefore he was easily
-induced to give a written undertaking to regard the knowledge derived
-from the half-burnt manuscript as strictly confidential, and to make no
-use of it to his own personal advantage.
-
-"I have to obtain this," the young man explained, "in the interests of
-Diamond, who, after all, is possessor of the papers.  He allowed me to
-have them only on that understanding."
-
-"My dear Frank," laughed the great Hebrew scholar, "really all this is
-very absurd.  But of course I'll sign any document you wish."
-
-So amid some laughter a brief undertaking was signed, "in order that I
-may show to Diamond," as Frank put it.
-
-"It's really a most businesslike affair," declared Gwen, who witnessed
-her father's signature.  "The secret must be a most wonderful one."
-
-"It is, dear," declared her lover.  "Wait and hear your father's
-opinion.  He is one of the very few men in the whole kingdom competent
-to judge whether the declaration is one worthy of investigation."
-
-The Professor was seated at his writing-table placed near the left-hand
-window, and had just signed the document airily, with a feeling that the
-whole matter was a myth.  Upon the table was his green-shaded electric
-reading-lamp, and with his head within the zone of its mellow light he
-sat, his bearded chin resting upon his palm, looking at the man to whom
-he had promised his daughter's hand.
-
-A scholar of his stamp is always very slow to commit himself to any
-opinion.  The Hebrew professor, whoever he may be, follows recognised
-lines, and has neither desire nor inclination to depart from them.  It
-was so with Griffin.  Truth to tell, he was much interested in the
-problem which young Farquhar had placed before him, but at the same time
-the suggestion made by Doctor Diamond was so startling and unheard of
-that, within himself, he laughed at the idea, regarding it as a mere
-newspaper sensation, invented in the brain of some clever Continental
-swindler.
-
-From his pocket the young man drew forth the precious envelope, and out
-of it took the cards between which reposed three pieces of crinkled and
-smoke-blackened typewriting, the edges of which had all been badly
-burned.
-
-The first which he placed with infinite care, touching it as lightly as
-possible, upon the Professor's blotting-pad was the page already
-reproduced--the folio which referred to the studying of the "Mishna" and
-the cabalistic signs which the writer had apparently discovered therein.
-
-The old man, blinking through his heavy round glasses, examined the
-disjointed words and unfinished lines, grunted once or twice in
-undisguised dissatisfaction, and placed the fragment aside.
-
-"Well?" inquired Farquhar, eagerly, "does that convey anything to you?"
-
-The Professor pursed his lips in quiet disbelief.
-
-"The prologue of a very elegant piece of fiction," he sneered.  "The man
-who makes this statement ought certainly to have been a novelist."
-
-"Why?"
-
-"Because of the clever manner in which he introduces his subject.  But
-let us continue."
-
-With delicate fingers Frank Farquhar handled the next scrap of
-typewriting and placed it before the great expert.
-
-The folio in question apparently attracted Professor Griffin much more
-than the first one presented to him.  He read and re-read it, his grey
-face the whole time heavy and thoughtful.  He was reconstructing the
-context in his own mind, and its reconstruction evidently caused him
-deep and very serious reflection.
-
-A dozen times he re-read it, while Frank and Gwen stood by exchanging
-glances in silence.
-
-"The first portion of the statement on this folio is quite plain,"
-remarked the Professor at last, looking up and blinking at the young
-man.  "The writer indicates the Biblical fact that, after the Babylonian
-imprisonment the tablets of Moses were never again exhibited in the
-Temple.  Surely this is not any amazing discovery!  Every reader of the
-Old Testament is aware of that fact.  The prophet Ezekiel himself was
-one of the temple priests deported to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar in 597
-B.C.  You'll find mention of it in Ezekiel, i, 2-8.  His message
-consisted at first of denunciations of his countrymen, both in Babylon
-and in Palestine, but after the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. he became
-a prophet of consolation, promising the eventual deliverance and
-restoration of the chosen people.  Give me down the Bible, Gwen, dear,
-and also Skinner--the `Expositor's Bible.'  You'll see it in the second
-case--third shelf to the left."
-
-The girl crossed the room, and after a moment's search returned with the
-two volumes, which she placed before her father.
-
-"Nebuchadnezzar received certain vessels from the temple at Jerusalem.
-Well, we know that," remarked the old man, as he opened the copy of Holy
-Writ and slowly turned its pages.
-
-"The reference in the book of Ezra," he said, referring to the open book
-before him, "concerns the proclamation of Cyrus, King of Persia, for the
-building of the temple in Jerusalem, how the people provided for the
-return, and how Cyrus restored the vessels of the temple to Sheshbazzar,
-the Prince of Judah."  Then, turning to Gwen, he said: "Read the verses
-referred to, dear--seventh to the eleventh in the first chapter."
-
-The girl bent over the Bible, and read the verses aloud as follows:
-
-"Also Cyrus the King brought forth the vessels of the house of the Lord,
-which Nebuchadnezzar had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put
-them in the house of his gods;
-
-"Even those did Cyrus King of Persia bring forth by the hand of
-Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar, the Prince
-of Judah.
-
-"And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand
-chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives,
-
-"Thirty basons of gold, silver basons of a second _sort_ four hundred
-and ten, _and_ other vessels a thousand.
-
-"All the vessels of gold and silver _were_ five thousand and four
-hundred.  All _these_ did Sheshbazzar bring up with _them_ of the
-captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem."
-
-"Surely that is sufficient historical fact!" the old Professor said in
-his hard, "dry-as-dust" voice.  "Again, farther on, there is, you see, a
-statement that Titus destroyed Jerusalem and that he built the Arch of
-Triumph in Rome and placed a representation of the candlesticks upon it.
-Does not every schoolboy know that!  Bosh! my dear Frank!"
-
-"True," exclaimed Frank, "but see! in the next line but one is a
-reference to the existence of something in `the whole prophecy of
-Ezekiel'--something in `black and white.'"
-
-Professor Griffin shrugged his shoulders.
-
-"Ezekiel develops the doctrine of individual responsibility and of the
-Messianic kingdom as no prophet before him," was the Professor's reply.
-"It may refer to that.  The prophet's style is not of the highest order,
-but is extraordinarily rich and striking in its imagery.  The
-authenticity of the book is now admitted, all but universally, but the
-corrupt state of the Hebrew text has, for ages, been the despair of
-students.  Cornhill, in 1886, made a brilliant attempt to reconstruct
-the Hebrew text with the aid of the Septuagint."
-
-Griffin noticed that his young friend did not quite follow that last
-remark, so he added:
-
-"The Septuagint is, as you may perhaps know, the earliest Greek
-translation of the Old Testament scriptures made directly from the
-Hebrew original during the third century before Christ for the use of
-the Hellenistic Jews.  In the literary forgery produced about the
-Christian era, known as the `Letter of Aristeas,' and accepted as
-genuine by Josephus and others, it is alleged that the translation was
-made by seventy-two men at the command of Ptolemy II.  You will find
-portions of it in the British Museum, and from it we find that the
-translation is not of uniform value or of the same style throughout.
-The Pentateuch and later historical books, as well as the Psalms,
-exhibit a very fair rendering of the original.  The prophetical books,
-and more especially Ezekiel, show greater divergence from the Hebrew,
-while Proverbs frequently display loose paraphrase."
-
-"But is there anything in those typed lines which strikes you as
-unusually curious?" demanded young Farquhar, pointing to the smoked and
-charred fragment upon the blotting-pad.
-
-The Professor was silent for a moment, his eyes fixed upon the
-disjointed and unfinished sentences.
-
-"Well--yes.  There is something," was his answer.  "That statement that
-something exists in `the whole prophecy of Ezekiel.'  What is that
-something?"
-
-"Is it what Doctor Diamond suspects it to be, do you think?"
-
-"I can form no definite conclusion until I have investigated the whole,"
-was the great scholar's response.  "But I would, at this point, withdraw
-my own light remarks of half an hour ago.  There may be something of
-interest in it, but what the picturesque story is all leading up to I
-cannot quite imagine."
-
-"To a secret--to the solution of a great and undreamed-of mystery!"
-declared Frank excitedly.
-
-"The last few lines of this scrap before me certainly leads towards that
-supposition," was the answer of Gwen Griffin's father.
-
-"Then you do not altogether negative Diamond's theory that there is
-here, if we can only supply the context, the key to the greatest secret
-this world has ever known!"
-
-"Ah! that is saying a good deal," was the reply.  "Let me continue the
-investigation of this wonderful document which the dying man was so
-anxious to destroy."
-
-And by the sphinx-like expression upon the old man's face it was
-apparent that he had already gathered more information than he was
-willing to admit.
-
-The truth was that the theory he had already formed within his own mind
-held him bewildered.  His thin fingers trembled as he touched the dried,
-crinkled folio.
-
-There was a secret there--without a doubt, colossal and astounding--one
-of which even the greatest scholars in Europe through all the ages had
-never dreamed!
-
-The old man sat staring through his spectacles in abject wonder.
-
-Was Doctor Diamond's theory really the correct one?  If so, what right
-had these most precious papers to be in the hands of an irresponsible
-journalist?
-
-If there was really a secret, together with its solution--then the
-latter must be his, and his alone, he decided.  How it would enhance his
-great reputation if he were the person to launch it forth upon the
-world!
-
-Therefore the old man's attitude suddenly changed and he pretended to
-regard the affair humorously, in the hope of putting Frank off his
-guard.
-
-If the world was ever to be startled by the discovery it should, he
-intended, be by Professor Arminger Griffin, and not through any one of
-those irresponsible halfpenny sheets controlled by Sir George Gavin and
-his smart and ingenious young brother-in-law.
-
-Both Frank Farquhar and Gwen noticed the old man's sudden change of
-manner, and stood puzzled and wondering, little dreaming what was
-passing with his mind.
-
-Few men are--alas!--honest where their own reputations are at stake.
-
-CHAPTER SEVEN.
-
-IN WHICH THE PROFESSOR EXHIBITS CUNNING.
-
-Frank was fully aware that Professor Griffin was an eccentric man, full
-of strange moods and strong prejudices.  Most scholars and writers are.
-
-"But, dad," exclaimed his daughter, placing her soft hand upon his
-shoulder, "what do you really think of it?  Is there anything in this
-Doctor Diamond's theory?"
-
-"My dear child, I never jump to conclusions, as you know.  It is against
-my habit.  It's probably one of the many hoaxes which have been
-practised for the last thousand years."
-
-The girl exchanged a quick glance with her lover.  She could see that
-Frank was annoyed by the light manner with which her father treated the
-alleged secret.
-
-"Well, Professor," said the young man at last, "this, apparently, is the
-next folio, though the numbering of each has been destroyed," and he
-placed before the man in spectacles another scrap which presented the
-appearance as shown.
-
-In an instant the old man became intensely interested though he
-endeavoured very cleverly to conceal the fact.  He bent, and taking up a
-large magnifying-glass mounted in silver--a gift from Frank on the
-previous Christmas--he carefully examined each word in its order.
-
-"Ah!" he exclaimed, "the first three lines, underlined as you see, are
-apparently a portion of some prophecy regarding the captivity of the
-Jews in Babylon, `the period of the Blood-debts,' after which comes the
-period when the oppression will lose its power, which means their
-release by Cyras.  Come now, this is of some interest!"
-
-"Read on, dad," urged the dainty girl, excitedly.  "Tell us what you
-gather from it."
-
-The pair were standing hand-in-hand, at the back of the old man's
-writing-chair.
-
-"Not so quickly, dear--not so quickly.  That's the worst of women.  They
-are always so erratic, always in such an uncommon hurry," he added with
-a laugh.
-
-Then, after a pause during which he carefully examined the lines which
-followed, he pointed out: "You see that somebody--not the writer of the
-document, remember--has stated that Moses' tablets `The Cha--', which
-must mean the Chair of Grace, between two cherubims of fine gold, a
-number of other things, including the Ark of the Covenant itself and the
-archives of the Temple down to B.C. 600 are--what?"
-
-And he raised his head staring at the pair through his round and greatly
-magnifying-glasses.
-
-"Doctor Diamond's theory is that the treasures of Solomon's Temple are
-still concealed at the spot where they were hidden by the priests before
-the taking of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar."
-
-The Professor laughed aloud.
-
-"My dear Farquhar," he exclaimed, "on the face of this folio it would,
-of course, appear so.  One may read it as a statement of fact that all
-the relics of the Temple and all the great treasures of the ages
-bygone--the Treasure of Israel--are concealed `beneath',
-somewhere--`which is a series' of something.  To this, there are three
-entrances, one only being accessible.  Then in the final lines, we have
-another prophecy that the tablets shall `remain in their hiding-place--
-that is with the Ark of the Covenant--till the coming of the Messiah who
-alone may open the treasure-house, or place of concealment, in order
-that he may show proof of--', and the rest is lost." he added with a
-sigh of disappointment.
-
-"I admit," said Frank, "that is one reading of it.  But what is your
-reading--that of an expert?"
-
-The old man merely shrugged his shoulders and said:
-
-"I don't think that the Doctor's theory is the correct one.  The belief
-that the Treasure of Solomon's Temple still exists is far too wild and
-unsubstantiated.  Of course, it is not quite clear in history what
-became of the contents of the Temple, but I think we may safely at once
-dismiss any possibility of the relics of Moses as being intact after a
-couple of thousand years or so.  Stories of hidden treasure have
-appealed to the avarice of man throughout all the ages, from the days of
-the Roman Emperors, down to the day before yesterday, when a ship went
-forth to search for the lost gold of President Kruger.  There have been
-hundreds, nay thousands of expeditions to search for treasure, but in
-nearly every case the searchers have returned sadder and poorer men.
-No, Frank," he exclaimed, decisively, "I don't think any one would be
-such an utter fool as to attempt to suggest that the Treasure of Israel
-still exists.  At least no scholar would.  Whoever would do such a thing
-would be a clumsy bungler, ignorant of both the Hebrew language and the
-history of the Hebrew nation.  Doctor Diamond, from what you tell me,
-is, I gather, one of such."
-
-"But they are not the Doctor's documents," Frank hastened to point out.
-"As I've told you, a man dying in Paris ordered him to burn them.  He
-did so, but they were not all consumed."
-
-"The Doctor worked a trick upon a dying man," sniffed the Professor.
-"Hardly played the game--eh?"
-
-"I quite agree with you there," answered young Farquhar.  "Yet,
-according to the Doctor's version, he was in no way responsible for the
-fact that only half the folios were consumed."
-
-"Well, whatever it is," declared the Professor, very decisively, "it
-seems to be some rather clumsy `cock-and-bull' story.  In what I've
-read.  I, as a scholar, could pick many holes.  Indeed, such a screed as
-this could never have been concocted by any one with any pretence of
-knowledge of old Testament history.  There are certain statements which
-are utterly absurd on the face of them."
-
-"Which are they?" inquired Frank eagerly.
-
-"Oh--several," was the rather light reply.  "As you are not a scholar,
-my dear boy, it would be useless me going into long and technical
-explanations.  The disjointed bits of prophecy are, I admit, really most
-artistic," he added with a laugh.
-
-If the truth be told, Arminger Griffin was concealing the intense
-excitement that had been aroused within him.  He was making a
-discovery--a wonderful, an amazing discovery.  But to this young
-journalist, who would merely regard it as a good "boom" for one of his
-irresponsible halfpenny journals, he intended to pooh-pooh it as a mere
-clumsy fairy tale.
-
-"Well," he asked, a moment later, in an incredulous tone.  "What else
-have you to show me?"
-
-"No more typewriting," was Frank's reply.  "The only other folio is one
-of manuscript, and it will probably interest you, for it contains two
-Hebrew words," and he placed before the great expert a half-consumed
-fragment of lined manuscript paper which bore some close writing in
-English of which the present writer gives a facsimile here.
-
-"H'm," grunted the old man, after a swift glance at it.  "A copy,
-evidently.  The Hebrew words are too clumsily written.  No scholar wrote
-them.  Probably it's a translation from German or Danish--I think you
-said that the man who called himself Blanc, was really a Dane--eh?"
-
-"Yes.  He told Diamond that he came from Copenhagen," Farquhar replied.
-
-But the old man was too deeply engrossed in the study of the neat
-manuscript.  How he wished that the context had been preserved, for
-here, he recognised, was the key, or rather the commencement of the key
-to the whole secret.  He was now anxious to get rid of Frank Farquhar,
-and be allowed to pursue his investigations alone.  There was certainly
-much more in it than he had at first suspected.
-
-With such a sensation as that contained in the half-burnt documents to
-launch upon the world, he would be acclaimed the most prominent scholar
-of the day.  The whole of academic Europe would shower honours upon him.
-
-"What does it mean about the `waw' sign?" inquired the young man.  "Does
-that convey anything?"
-
-"Nothing," laughed the Professor with affected indifference.  "What can
-one make out of such silly nonsense?  It says, apparently, that in
-Ezekiel the `waw' sign appears with great regularity.  Well, so it does
-in all Hebrew texts.  The letter `a' appears often in English doesn't
-it?  Well, so does the Hebrew `w' or `v'.  Therefore it's all bunkum--
-that was my first impression--and I still retain it!"
-
-Gwen looked genuinely disappointed.  She had hoped that this wonderful
-manuscript which had fallen into her lover's hands would turn out, as he
-had declared it would, to be of utmost value, both to history and also
-of financial value to its possessors.
-
-But her father, recognised as one of the first authorities of the day,
-had decisively condemned it as a clumsy fraud.
-
-"The reference given in the manuscript is, I see, Ezekiel xli. 23,"
-remarked the girl, and turning over the pages of the Bible which she
-still held in her hand she exclaimed:
-
-"Here it is.  Let me read it: `And the temple and the sanctuary had two
-doors.  And the doors had two leaves _apiece_, two burning leaves; two
-_leaves_ for the one door, and two for the other _door_.  And _there
-were_ made on them, on the doors of the temple, cherubims and palm
-trees, like as _were_ made upon the walls; and _there were_ thick planks
-upon the face of the porch without.  And _there were_ narrow windows and
-palm trees on the one side and on the other side, on the sides of the
-porch, and upon the side chambers of the house, and thick planks.'"
-
-"Yes," remarked the old man.  "The first Hebrew word in the manuscript
-means either `palace' or `temple'.  That occurs as the third word of the
-quotation.  But there is no mention of `cupbearer'.  If I recollect
-aright, there is a mention of the doors of the Temple in the First Book
-of Kings.  I believe it's in the sixth chapter.  Look, dear, and see if
-you can find it."
-
-His daughter turned over the leaves quickly, found the chapter he had
-indicated, and scanned over the verses.
-
-"Ah!" she cried, a moment later.  "Yes.  You are right, dad.  Here it
-is, beginning at verse 31: `And for the entering of the oracle he
-(Solomon) made doors _of_ olive tree: the lintel _and_ side posts _were_
-a fifth part _of the wall_.  The two doors also _were_ of olive tree:
-and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open
-flowers, and overlaid _them_ with gold, and spread gold upon the
-cherubims, and upon the palm trees.  So also made he for the door of the
-temple posts _of_ olive tree, a fourth part _of the wall_ And the two
-doors _were of_ fir tree: the two leaves of the one door _were_ folding,
-and the two leaves of the other door _were_ folding.  And he carved
-_thereon_ cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them
-with gold fitted upon the carved work.'"
-
-"I looked up the reference in Ezekiel," remarked Frank, "but I could not
-understand it.  Perhaps, you, Professor, may be able to throw some light
-upon it?"
-
-The old man turned to the speaker, and held up his thin, almost waxen
-hands.
-
-"How can I?" he asked with an air of bewilderment well feigned.  "How
-can I possibly?  The latter half of this fragment of scribble is a mere
-copy of a verse out of the Old Testament, and seems to have nothing
-whatever to do with the theory--whatever it may be--expounded in the
-upper part of the page."
-
-"Then what is your candid opinion, dad?" asked Gwen, placing her hand
-softly upon her father's shoulder again as she stood behind him, and at
-the same time turning her eyes affectionately upon the tall,
-good-looking, young man at her side.
-
-"My candid opinion, my dear," grunted the old Professor, "is that it is
-one of the many extraordinary theories we have had of hare-brained
-persons who have gained a smattering of Hebrew, and believe themselves
-to have discovered some very wonderful secret.  To put it bluntly,
-Gwen--the whole thing is bunkum!"
-
-The young man said nothing.  His spirits fell.  Of course, he had
-expected the Professor, in the habit of all scholars, to throw cold
-water upon Doctor Diamond's suggestion, but he was hardly prepared for
-such a drastic dismissal of the subject.
-
-"Well," he exclaimed at last, "I don't wish you to come to any premature
-conclusion, Professor.  You have really not had sufficient opportunity
-yet of thoroughly investigating the affair, have you?"
-
-"No.  That's quite true.  I--well--I'd like to keep these scraps for a
-day, or say a couple of days--if I might, my dear Frank.  I'll be most
-careful of them, I promise you, and they shall not leave my possession.
-As a matter of fact," he added, "Ginsberg from Berlin happens to be in
-London, and I'm extremely anxious to show them to him, and hear his
-views."
-
-Frank Farquhar was a smart young man, and in a second realised danger in
-this.
-
-"I fear, Professor, that I cannot allow you to show them to Professor
-Ginsberg.  I made a promise to Diamond that they should be shown only to
-yourself."
-
-"Very well, very well," laughed the Professor, "if you care to trust
-them with me till the day after to-morrow I will promise to show them to
-nobody.  I only wish to study the extraordinary statement myself, and
-consult certain original Hebrew texts."
-
-At first Frank was reluctant, remembering his promise to Doctor Diamond.
-But at Gwen's persuasion he was induced to leave them to be locked up
-in the old-fashioned oak bureau at the further end of the cosy room.
-The three then passed into the small drawing-room on the same floor,
-where Gwen, at her lover's request, sat at the piano and sang in her
-sweet contralto several pretty French _chansonettes_ which she had
-learnt.
-
-CHAPTER EIGHT.
-
-PRESENTS ANOTHER CURIOUS PROBLEM.
-
-In the solution of a problem such as that placed before Professor
-Griffin, knowledge meant power.
-
-Though he had successfully concealed his excitement he had, truth to
-tell, learnt much from the perusal of those charred papers--much that
-held him in utter amazement.  A theory had presented itself of which no
-one had ever before dreamed.
-
-He had derided the manuscript as a clumsy story by some half-educated
-person.  But, within himself, he knew quite well that the problem had
-been propounded and the suggestion made by some person equally well-read
-as himself, some Hebrew scholar of highest attainment, if not of highest
-standing.  Alas, in these days of impudent self-advertisement, it is not
-the cleverest man who is the most notable, or who looms largest in the
-public eye.  The same rule applies to Professors of Hebrew, as to men in
-every other walk of life.
-
-That night, after Frank had left and Gwen had kissed him good-night and
-gone to her room, he sat for over an hour, smoking his long pipe in
-silence at his study fireside.  He had resolved that he would be the
-first to reveal the startling secret to the world.  Yes.  He would write
-an article in the _Contemporary_, and he knew full well that words,
-coming from such a high authority as himself, would be quoted by almost
-every newspaper in the whole civilised globe.
-
-It was astounding--never before in the whole history of the world had
-such a wonderful discovery been made.  The Christian religion would be
-shaken to its very foundations--not weakened, be it said, but actually
-strengthened a thousandfold.
-
-He laughed aloud as he sat with his pipe in his hand, his eyes cast down
-upon the bright red hearthrug.
-
-"What would the Bishops of the Anglican Church, the Cardinals of the
-Romish Church, the Rabbis of the Jewish Synagogues and all the other
-heads of our religion give for possession of this secret which is mine--
-mine only!" he exclaimed, speaking to himself in a low whisper.  "What
-would men in the city, the financiers, speculators, and the
-thousand-and-one varieties of money `sharks' give me to reveal the truth
-to them.  The truth?" he repeated thoughtfully.  "The truth?  No.  I
-have not yet got at the actual truth.  To discover it will be my work
-to-morrow.  And I will not pause for a single instant until all is
-plain, and I have the secret open and revealed."
-
-Again he hesitated, smoking on in silence, his brow heavy and
-thoughtful, for he had taken off his glasses and placed them in their
-big, bulky case.
-
-"Two men, this fellow Diamond, whoever he may be, and Frank Farquhar
-stand between myself and the secret!" he muttered to himself with a
-grin.  Then he rose impatiently and snapped his fingers.  "They shall
-not stand in my way for long," he laughed.  "The secret is mine--it is
-in _my_ possession!"
-
-The Professor rose early next day, as was his habit.
-
-As he sat at the breakfast table, Gwen who looked bright and fresh in
-her neat white blouse and plain navy serge skirt, noticed that he was
-unusually silent and morose.  They were devoted to each other, but at
-such times when her father, rendered irritable by his studies, betrayed
-impatience she always remained silent.
-
-"I've asked Frank over to luncheon, dad," she ventured at last to
-remark.
-
-Whereupon the old man replied in a snappy voice: "I fear I shall not be
-bade.  I'm going along to the Museum, and may be there all day.  I have
-a number of researches to make.  Apologise for my absence."
-
-Gwen promised to do this; but instead, an hour later, she sent her lover
-a wire, suggesting that, as the Professor would be absent, they should
-lunch together at Princes', which idea the young man gladly adopted.
-
-At eleven Professor Griffin, descending from a cab, entered a small
-office in Oxford Street, the office of a firm of photographers whose
-specialty is the reproducing of ancient documents for the official
-publications of the British Museum, the Paleographical Society and
-similar institutions.  To the manager, he produced the carefully
-preserved scraps of typewriting and manuscript, and ordered photographic
-reproductions to be made with as great a speed as possible.
-
-The manager examined the charred folios closely, and declared that the
-work would be useless for reproduction in any journal or magazine.
-
-"I don't want them for that purpose," was Griffin's reply.
-
-"We'll do them as clearly as possible on whole plates, Professor," was
-the man's reply, "but they will not come out very satisfactorily, I
-fear."
-
-"As long as I can decipher them easily is all I care," replied the older
-man.  "I shall call for the originals at four o'clock."
-
-"We will have finished with them by that time, sir.  I will send them
-down to the studio at Acton."
-
-"And take the utmost care of them please," urged the Professor.
-
-"We are used, as you know, sir, to handling the most valuable
-manuscripts in the world.  The Museum give us all their work, and we
-often have, in our safes, manuscripts worth thousands of pounds each,"
-replied the manager.
-
-A sudden thought occurred to Griffin, and taking from the table the
-scrap of writing upon the ruled paper, he held it up to the light to
-examine its watermark.  The design was at once apparent--the head of a
-lady of the seventeenth century with hair dressed in the style of
-Charles the First, low-cut bodice, puffed sleeves, and a necklet of
-pearls, while above the words placed in a semi-circle was "Sevigne
-Paper."
-
-"H'm," grunted the old man, "evidently one of those imitation English
-papers, made in France.  Well, Macdonald, get as good results as you can
-from the scraps, won't you?"
-
-The photographer's manager, who knew Griffin well, and who had often
-photographed Hebrew and Greek manuscripts for him, assured him that the
-very greatest care should be taken in the work.
-
-Thereupon, the Professor rose and left, urging that the originals should
-be returned from Acton well before four o'clock.
-
-In his thick and somewhat shabby overcoat and soft felt hat, he walked
-through the drizzling rain to the British Museum, where, as he entered,
-the attendants saluted him.  In that national institution he was a
-well-known figure, for during the greater part of his lifetime he had
-studied there, especially in the Department of Manuscripts.
-
-It was to that he at once made his way.  The Keeper of the Department
-was absent, but a man of Professor Griffin's reputation has the "run of
-the place;" therefore after wishing good-day to one of the
-assistant-keepers he began searching the catalogue of manuscripts for
-the Hebrew ones which he wished to consult, writing their numbers upon a
-slip.  This he handed to the assistant-keeper who, having glanced at the
-numbers and recognised to which they referred, regarded him with a
-glance of quick curiosity.
-
-"One of the earliest originals of the Book of Ezekiel--eh, Professor?"
-remarked the man.  "And the other is the Muratori Manuscript."
-
-"Exactly," was Griffin's reply, and when the man had left the little
-room in which he was standing, he drew from his pocket a small book in
-which overnight he had made pencilled memoranda from the half-confused
-fragments which Frank had placed before him.  Then he waited in
-undisguised anxiety.
-
-Presently the assistant-keeper returned with two of the most important
-Biblical manuscripts the Museum possessed, and placed them before the
-man whose opinion upon Hebrew originals of Holy Writ was always
-decisive.
-
-The first manuscript, one of the earliest originals of the Book of
-Ezekiel and one used by the revisers of the Bible a few years ago, was
-upon yellow and discoloured parchment of great age, bound in old calf of
-the early sixteenth century.  The binding had practically perished, but
-the writing within was still plain and quite decipherable to an expert.
-
-Originally written upon a long roll, it had in later times been cut into
-folios and bound, as being readier of access, and easier to consult.  Of
-its early history from the time of being written until A.D. 1421,
-practically nothing was known.  In the year in question it was brought
-to Constantinople from Palestine, and in 1627 was given by the Patriarch
-to Charles the First.
-
-The Professor removed his hat and overcoat seated himself, and with
-reverent fingers turned the time-dimmed pages from which a portion of
-our Holy Bible had been translated.
-
-To the person unacquainted with early Hebrew script the pages were
-covered by meaningless hieroglyphics; but to him they were as clear as
-any printed column in the _Times_ newspaper.
-
-He searched through until he discovered a certain passage.  Then,
-eagerly consulting his notebook, he began translating it, word for word,
-writing down the English equivalent upon the paper that had been placed
-before him.
-
-He did not hurry, but alone in the little room, he worked on, slowly and
-deliberately.  For fully two hours he continued but the result was,
-judging from the expression upon his face, by no means gratifying.
-
-The assistant-keeper came and went, for the Professor, being such a
-great authority, was always allowed to work in the keeper's private
-room.  Indeed only a man of Griffin's rare attainments and knowledge
-would have been able to translate from the original Hebrew of that
-ancient character, so often indistinct and involved in meaning and in
-sense.
-
-At times, with a rapid hand, he made an exact reproduction of the
-original, especially that of chapter xli, verse 23 to the end which, as
-will be recollected, was given in the dead man's manuscript as an
-illustration.
-
-Heedless of the fact that he had had no luncheon, he continued copying
-the original very carefully and with a sure and expert touch until he
-had made a complete copy of the original of chapters xl, xli, xlii,
-xliv, and xlvii, a work which occupied him till nearly four o'clock.
-
-He took no count of time, so wholly engrossed was he in his work.  The
-assistant-keeper entered prior to his departure at four o'clock when the
-department closed, and began bustling about, hoping that the
-"dry-as-dust" old fellow, being disturbed, might abandon his work for
-that day.
-
-But nothing interrupted him in making his rapid copying of those Hebrew
-characters that had been written before the birth of Christ.
-
-Presently, in sheer despair, the assistant-keeper remarked:
-
-"That's rather heavy work for you, Professor, isn't it?"
-
-"No.  Not exactly," was the old man's quick reply without looking up, "I
-am about to make a most interesting investigation; therefore, I dare not
-employ any copyist.  He might so easily make mistakes."
-
-"An investigation!" echoed the younger man.  "Why, curiously enough for
-the past three days we've had a man here copying that same book for some
-mysterious purpose.  He finished only yesterday afternoon.  But he
-refused to tell me the reason he was making the copy other than that he,
-like yourself, was making some investigations.  He used the same
-expression as yourself, curiously enough."
-
-"Another searcher!" gasped the Professor, laying down his pen, and
-staring at the speaker.  "Another investigator of the original of the
-Book of Ezekiel!  Who was he?  What was he like?" demanded the old man
-quickly, his face blanched in an instant.
-
-"I don't know who he was, for we've never seen him here before.  He was
-an old gentleman, a foreigner evidently--and a scholar, for he wrote the
-Hebrew characters almost as quickly and accurately as you yourself."
-
-Professor Arminger Griffin sat back in his chair, his mouth open,
-staring into space.
-
-Was it possible that some one else besides himself had obtained
-knowledge of the great secret, and was actively engaged upon
-investigations!
-
-And the stranger who had copied that very manuscript which he was
-copying, was an unknown foreigner and a scholar into the bargain!
-
-Was it possible that the secret was already out?
-
-CHAPTER NINE.
-
-CONCERNS "THE OTHER MAN."
-
-"What was the stranger like?" asked the Professor eagerly, his thin hand
-resting upon the ancient parchment he had been so carefully copying.
-
-"A short, stout, elderly man with white pointed beard," was the
-assistant-keeper's reply.  "Four days ago he came here, carrying with
-him a number of references which he turned up in various early Hebrew
-manuscripts.  But it was the one you have there before you which
-attracted him most.  He worked three days upon it, and made a complete
-and most accurate copy."
-
-"He didn't tell you whence he came, or for what purpose he was making
-the researches?"
-
-"No, for, as you well know, Professor, students seldom do.  They are not
-very communicative, unless they be young," laughed the official.  "But
-he was a foreigner."
-
-"Undoubtedly.  From the north of Europe, I should say--Norwegian or
-perhaps Russian, not German, I think.  But he spoke most excellent
-English."
-
-"A scholar?"
-
-"Without a doubt.  He went about his work in that careful methodical
-manner that at once betrayed the specialist.  He concluded his work only
-yesterday."
-
-"How was he dressed?"
-
-"Fairly well.  He wore a dark-grey suit and a black bow cravat."
-
-"His searches were confined to Ezekiel?"
-
-"No, not exactly.  He copied some references from our earliest
-manuscript of Deuteronomy--you examined it a few months ago, I remember.
-The thirty-second chapter seemed to attract him, as he copied it in its
-entirety."
-
-"Ah, that's the Song of Moses," remarked the Professor.  "`Give ear O ye
-heavens, and I will speak; and hear O earth, the words of my mouth.'  I
-wonder what can be his object," he added thoughtfully.
-
-"He merely told me that he was making an investigation in order to put a
-remarkable theory to the test."
-
-Griffin started.  A remarkable theory was being put to the test by this
-stranger!  Was it possible that another scholar was in possession of the
-dead man's secret, besides himself!
-
-He held his breath.  Then, when a few moments later he had recovered
-himself, he began to make many inquiries concerning the unknown
-foreigner.  But it was already past four o'clock, and the
-assistant-keeper had his train to catch to his home at Epping.
-Therefore he declared that he knew no more, and taking the precious
-manuscript, replaced it with the others and hastily bade the Professor
-"Good afternoon."
-
-"Good afternoon," was the old man's reply.  "I am sorry you are in such
-a hurry.  I'll return to-morrow."
-
-Then he struggled into his overcoat, and left the Museum full of vague
-misgivings.
-
-Already dark outside, the street-lamps were lit, and the steady downpour
-was unceasing.  But he trudged across to the photographer's, and there
-obtained the scraps of half-destroyed manuscript, which only a few
-moments before had been brought back from the studio at Acton.
-
-"We shall have prints ready for you to-morrow evening," said the
-manager.  "I'll send them to you, shall I?"
-
-"No, don't do that," Griffin said quickly.  "I would rather call for
-them.  I'll be in about this time to-morrow."
-
-Then placing the packet in his pocket, he walked along Oxford Street in
-the direction of Tottenham Court Road.
-
-His mind was full of the alarming discovery that another person was
-investigating the same problem as himself.  This meant that the secret
-was known, and if known to another, what more likely than that the
-stranger possessed a complete manuscript--a manuscript which gave the
-context, not only of the curious statement, but of the directions of how
-the truth could be verified.
-
-Of the latter, he possessed only that one scrap of written manuscript.
-There must have been other folios, but all were, alas! missing.  They
-had, no doubt, been consumed by the flames before the eyes of the dying
-man.
-
-He was beside himself with anxiety.  It could not have been Diamond
-himself who had been at the Museum, for the Doctor was not a Hebrew
-scholar and, besides, he had been told by Frank that the man was badly
-deformed.  Therefore, his deformity would certainly have impressed
-itself upon the assistant-keeper.
-
-By the "Tube" from Tottenham Court Road Station he travelled to Notting
-Hill Gate, and turning into Pembridge Gardens, let himself in with his
-latch-key.
-
-Frank was with Gwen in the drawing-room, and they were taking their tea
-_tete-a-tete_ when the old man entered.  After luncheon he had taken her
-to a matinee, and the happy pair had only just returned.
-
-"Tell me, Frank," asked the Professor, almost before he had time to
-greet him, "did that friend of yours, Diamond, show those papers to any
-one else besides you, do you think?"
-
-"Certainly not.  Why?" inquired the young man in some surprise.
-
-"Oh, nothing," replied the Professor with slight hesitation.  "I--well--
-I only thought that it would be a little unfair to trouble me if
-somebody else had already been making any researches."
-
-"Nobody has seen it save myself, I can assure you.  Diamond is a most
-careful and cautious man," Frank declared.  "He brought them straight
-over from Paris, and came at once to me."
-
-"He might possibly have shown them to somebody in Paris," the elder man
-suggested.
-
-"I asked him, and he distinctly told me that nobody save myself had set
-eyes upon them."
-
-The Professor sank into an armchair, and in silence took the cup of tea
-which Gwen handed to him.
-
-"You're tired, dad," she said.  "I see it in your face!"
-
-"A little, dear.  I've been at the Museum all day."
-
-"I wish you wouldn't go to that horrid old place.  It always gives you a
-headache, you know," said the girl anxiously.
-
-"Ah, my child," replied the old man with a sigh, "the place holds, for
-me, much that is interesting in life--in fact all that is interesting,
-except your own neat little self."
-
-The girl laughed merrily, declaring that compliments should not be paid
-to her in the presence of Frank.
-
-But the old man, sighing rather wearily, said:
-
-"Well, Gwen, it's the truth.  I have nothing much to live for, except
-yourself and my studies.  When your dear mother died, the sun of my life
-was extinguished.  And now you have grown up to take her place."
-
-She and Frank exchanged quick meaning glances.
-
-"I hope always to live near you, dear old dad, even after we're
-married," she said.  "I shall never desert you."
-
-Her father smiled, saying:
-
-"That is what every girl says to her parents before marriage.  Few,
-however, fulfil their promise."
-
-"Well, dad, don't let's talk about parting till the time really comes,"
-exclaimed his daughter, in an endeavour to change the topic of
-conversation.  Only a moment prior to the Professor's return she and
-Frank had been discussing the future, and considering that very point.
-
-"Have you been making researches in the Museum in connection with the
-burnt papers, Professor?" asked young Farquhar, who, standing in his
-well-cut suit of blue serge, looked a splendid specimen of the lithe,
-athletic young Englishman.
-
-"Yes, I have."
-
-"And the result?"
-
-The Professor shook his head in the negative.
-
-"At present I have failed to discover the slightest title of
-corroboration of your friend Doctor Diamond's wonderful theory.  The
-construction which may be placed upon the scrappy statements are many,
-but none upon which I can yet form any absolute conclusion."
-
-He made no mention that he had caused photographic negatives of the
-burnt papers to be secured, or that, within his pocket, there reposed an
-accurate copy of the accepted original of the Book of Ezekiel.
-
-"You are still in opposition, then, to Diamond's theory?" asked the
-young man.
-
-"Of course."
-
-"But why?"
-
-The Professor drank his tea slowly, and replaced the cup upon the little
-table.
-
-"Well," he answered with much deliberation, "because Biblical history is
-entirely opposed to it.  The first Book of Kings relates in detail the
-building of the temple by Solomon in B.C. 1012, the dimensions of the
-Porch, the Holy Place, and the Holy of Holies.  Within and without the
-building was conspicuous by the lavish use of gold from Ophir and
-Parvaim.  Above the sacred Ark, which was placed as of old in the Most
-Holy Place, were made new cherubim, one pair of whose wings met above
-the Ark and another pair reached to the walls behind them.  In the Holy
-Place, besides the Altar of Incense, which was made of cedar overlaid
-with gold, there were seven golden candlesticks instead of one, and the
-table of the shew-bread was replaced by ten golden tables bearing beside
-the shew-bread the innumerable golden vessels for the service of the
-sanctuary.  Instead of the brazen laver we know that there was a `molten
-sea' of brass, a masterpiece of Hiram's skill, for the ablutions of the
-priests.  It was called a `sea' from its great size, being five cubits
-in height ten in diameter and thirty in circumference, and containing,
-it is estimated, about sixteen thousand gallons of water.  It stood upon
-twelve oxen, three towards each quarter of the heavens, and all looking
-outwards.  The brim itself, or lip, was wrought `like the brim of a cup,
-with flowers of lilies,' or curved outwards like a lily or lotus flower.
-The front of the porch was supported, after the manner of some Egyptian
-temples, by the two great brazen pillars Jachin and Boaz, eighteen
-cubits high, with capitols of five cubits more, adorned, as we are told,
-with lily-work and pomegranates.
-
-"But," he added, "all this is historical fact.  In the temple reposed
-the most valuable collection of gold and jewels ever gathered together,
-and the dedication of the House of Jehovah, the God of Israel, was the
-grandest ceremony ever performed under the Mosaic dispensation.  And if
-you read 1 Kings, viii, and 2 Chronicles, v, you will there learn how,
-at the ceremony, Jehovah gave the sign of His coming to take possession
-of His house.  Then Solomon built his own house, placing within it the
-wonderful `wealth of Ormuz and Ind,' and to him came the Queen of Sheba,
-an event which marked the culminating-point of his glory.  The very king
-who built the glorious temple, and to whom Jehovah had twice given
-solemn warning in his old age, however, and under the influence of his
-wives, turned his heart away from God.  He served Ashtoreth, the
-moon-goddess of the Zidonians, and Moloch, the `horrid king' whom the
-Ammonites worshipped with human sacrifice.  Solomon died in B.C. 976,
-and very shortly after his death the prophecy of Ahijah was fulfilled:
-his kingdom was rent in twain, and the parts, weakened by the
-disruption, formed the separate kingdoms of Judah and of Israel."
-
-"It will be interesting to trace the history of the temple from that
-date down to the siege of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar," remarked Frank.
-
-"That occurred about three hundred years after Solomon's death--at least
-according to our latest chronologers," replied the Professor, "and it is
-in tracing that history that we have many of the points before us
-negatived most decisively.  Let me instance one or two of them."
-
-"Yes, do, dad," cried Gwen, greatly interested.  "I'm quite excited,
-over the mysterious affair."
-
-"Then listen, child," the old man said.  "But, first go and get a Bible
-from the study."
-
-And the girl rose to do her father's bidding.
-
-CHAPTER TEN.
-
-FACT OR FICTION.
-
-"I may perhaps with advantage give you very roughly some historical
-facts which tend to negative Diamond's theory," the Professor said,
-turning to Farquhar while Gwen was absent.
-
-"That is what I'm most desirous of hearing," replied the young man.  "I
-can claim no special knowledge like yourself.  Indeed, no man in England
-is more capable of expressing an opinion than you are."
-
-The Professor passed his hand through his scanty grey hair and smiled.
-He saw that his wide knowledge impressed this young man whose only
-thought was a "sensation" in one or other of the Gavin group of
-publications.
-
-Then, when Gwen had re-entered the room with a Bible in her hand, he
-said in that slow, deliberate habit of his, the habit of the scholar and
-deep thinker:
-
-"The theory of this Doctor Diamond is that the treasures of Solomon's
-temple were hidden by the priests prior to the taking of Jerusalem by
-Nebuchadnezzar.  Well, that is a bold but quite unsubstantiated
-assertion.  As early after Solomon as the reign of Jeroboam the First,
-King of Judah, the golden calves, the symbols of the Heliopolitan deity,
-were set up in the two extremities of the kingdom, and the temple was
-put to sacrilegious usages.  These sins were continued by his
-successors, until in the reign of Asa, the third King of Judah, the
-impure orgies of Ashtoreth were suppressed, for `having his heart
-perfect with Jehovah all his days' the king repaired Shishak's plunder--
-the first plunder of the temple, mark you--with `rich offerings of gold
-and of silver.'  Asa made war against the Ethiopians, and on returning
-to Jerusalem the prophet Azariah, son of Oded, met him and exhorted him
-and his subjects to be strong heart in hand in seeking God.  He gave an
-affecting description of the former state of Israel: `For a long season
-Israel hath been (or was) without the true God, and without a teaching'
-priest, and without law.  [2 Chronicles, xv, 3.]  His words roused the
-hearers to a new and more thorough reformation.  The idols were removed
-from all the cities of Judah and Benjamin, and those which had been won
-from Ephraim.  The altar of burnt-offering, which had been polluted by
-Jeroboam, was renewed, and in the third month of the fifteenth year
-(B.C. 940) Asa called a great convocation at Jerusalem.  Jehoshaphat
-followed his father's piety, but the darkest night of Israel's spiritual
-declension came with the accession of Ahab, seventh King of Israel, and
-husband of Jezebel.  The service of Baal was established throughout
-Israel, a grove was made for the orgies of Ashtoreth, and by Jezebel's
-orders the prophets of Jehovah were put to death, all except one hundred
-who were hidden in a cave by Obadiah, the governor of Ahab's house."
-
-"But was the temple already plundered?" asked Gwen, seated with her chin
-resting upon her hand, listening intently.
-
-"We know that it was plundered seriously by Shishak, King of Egypt, who
-carried off many of its greatest treasures, including the celebrated
-golden shields of Solomon's house, which Rehoboam replaced by brass to
-keep up the display," was the Professor's prompt reply.  "Recent
-discoveries at Karnak tell the whole story of the conquest from the
-Egyptian point of view.  The kingdom of Judah, it seems, became for a
-long time tributary to Shishak, and upon the walls of the great temple
-at Karnak there are the sculptured representation of the siege and the
-hieroglyphics `Fuda Melchi'--meaning `The Kingdom of Judah.'  That was,
-you will bear in mind, the first spoliation."
-
-"Were there others?" asked Frank.  "I mean others that are authenticated
-by recent discoveries?"
-
-"Yes, Jehoram reigned in Jerusalem from B.C. 895-892, and after his
-marriage with Athaliah, daughter of Ahab, the temple was again
-despoiled, and the daughters of Judah were once more prostituted to the
-rites of Ashtoreth," replied Professor Griffin.  "Joash, in B.C. 884,
-repaired the fabric of the temple by public subscription, for he was the
-inventor of the modern money-box--and there were enough funds left over,
-we are told, to purchase vessels for the sanctuary.  [2 Kings, xii, 4-6;
-2 Chronicles, xxiv, 4-14.]  This, however, did not last long, for in the
-reign of Amaziah, ninth King of Judah, Jehoash, King of Israel, defeated
-him in B.C. 826, took him prisoner and, entering Jerusalem again,
-reached the temple and conveyed all its treasures to Samaria.
-
-"In the reigns of Jeroboam the Second, Shallam, Menaham and Pekehiah,
-other vessels and treasures were provided for the temple.  Jonathan
-built the high gate, but his successor, Ahaz, after plunging into all
-the idolatries of the surrounding nations, making molten images for Baal
-and sacrificing his children to Moloch in the valley of Hinnom, found
-himself, according to our best chronologer, Ussher, involved in war.  He
-was therefore compelled to apply for help to Tiglath-pileser, the
-`Tiger-Lord of Asshur,' King of Assyria, against Syria and Israel, and
-declaring himself his vassal, sent him all the treasures then left in
-the temple.  Ahaz, we learn from 2 Kings, xvi, 10-18, profaned the
-temple by dismounting the brazen altar and replacing it by another.
-Likewise the `Great Sea of Solomon,' too large to be removed at previous
-despoliations, was dismounted from its supporting oxen, and the lavers
-from their bases, which were also sent to the King of Assyria, together
-with the coverings which had been built for the King's entry to the
-house, and for the shelter of the worshippers on the Sabbath.  The
-golden vessels of the House of God were cut in pieces and sent with the
-rest, and the sanctuary itself was shut up.  Hezekiah, who came after
-him in B.C. 726, reopened and restored the Holy Place, though it was now
-devoid of most of its treasures.
-
-"To trace the history of the Temple through the days of Hoshea, son of
-Elah, Manasseh and Amon is perhaps unnecessary.  Under Josiah, whose
-reign marks the last dying glory of the earthly kingdom of David,
-idolatry was put away, the Temple was renovated and the Ark of the
-Covenant which had been hidden restored to its place.  [2 Chronicles,
-xxxiv, 3-13; xxxv, 3.]  During these repairs the high priest Hilkiah
-found the sacred copy of the book of the law and delivered it to
-Shaphan, the scribe, who read it before the king.  It was afterwards
-publicly read, and incited a new zeal among the people, and once again
-was the sanctuary filled with gold and silver vessels.  Therefore you
-will see that by this period there could not have been any of the actual
-treasures placed by Solomon remaining in the Temple."
-
-"The Ark of the Covenant was still there," remarked young Farquhar.
-
-"That is not at all certain," was the old man's reply.  "Many of the
-events chronicled in the Old Testament are corroborated by the
-inscriptions found by Flinders Petrie in Egypt and by Layard at Nineveh.
-Others are negatived, and our chronology rendered uncertain.  Certain
-it is, however," he went on, "that in the fourth year of the reign of
-Jehoiakim, eighteenth King of Judah (B.C. 608-597), Nebuchadnezzar
-arose, and a few years later advanced to Jerusalem, which he took after
-a brief siege.  The vessels of the sanctuary were carried off to
-Babylon, where they were dedicated in the temple of Belus.  If you turn
-to 2 Kings, xxiv, 13, you will there read: `And he carried out thence
-all the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the treasures of the
-king's house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold which Solomon,
-King of Israel had made in the temple of the Lord, as the Lord had
-said.'"
-
-"Surely it was Ezekiel who went as one of the prisoners of
-Nebuchadnezzar to Babylon," remarked Gwen.
-
-"Yes," replied her father, "on the second occasion when the Babylonian
-king attacked the city.  But," he added, "in the reference I have just
-given you, you will note that the vessels are described as `those that
-Solomon had made.'  Either therefore they had been too massive for
-removal on the many previous occasions when the temple was plundered or
-they had been made to replace the ancient originals.  The latter is my
-own theory.  Now, as I dare say you will recollect, in B.C. 586, on the
-tenth day of the fifth month, Ab, Nebuchadnezzar again advanced against
-the rebellious city of Jerusalem and destroyed it.  The two great
-pillars of the temple porch, Jachin and Boaz, and Solomon's brazen sea
-with the twelve bulls supporting it, were broken in pieces and their
-brass transported to Babylon, together with a great number of captives.
-And on the third day of the catastrophe, in the nineteenth year of
-Nebuchadnezzar, the temple and the city were committed to the flames
-with the palaces of the king and princes, and all the chief houses of
-Jerusalem, and their walls levelled to the ground."
-
-"Then that was the actual end of Solomon's temple," remarked Frank
-Farquhar.  "Is that authentic?"
-
-"Without a doubt," said the Professor.  "Yet did not Jeremiah comfort
-the Jews amid all these judgments by contrasting His destruction of the
-other nations of their present oppressors with His correction of
-themselves?  `Fear thou not, O Jacob, my servant, saith Jehovah, for I
-am with thee; for I will make a full end of all the nations whither I
-have driven thee; _but I will not make a full end of thee, but correct
-thee in measure_; yet will I not leave thee wholly unpunished.'  Surely
-no words could more fully express the principle of Jehovah's dealings
-with the Jews, His own people, in every age."
-
-"Belshazzar, at his feast in Babylon, put to sacrilegious uses the
-vessels of the temple, did he not?" asked the young man.
-
-"Yes," answered Griffin, and addressing Gwen said: "Turn to the fifth
-chapter of Daniel, dear, and read out the first four verses."
-
-The girl found the place and read as follows: "Belshazzar, the King,
-made a great feast to a thousand of his lords, and drank wine before the
-thousand.  Belshazzar, whiles he tasted the wine, commanded to bring the
-golden and silver vessels which his father Nebuchadnezzar had taken out
-of the temple which was in Jerusalem; that the King and his princes, his
-wives and his concubines, might drink therein.  Then they brought the
-golden vessels that were taken out of the temple of the house of God
-which was at Jerusalem; and the King, and his princes, his wives, and
-his concubines, drank in them.  They drank wine and praised the gods of
-gold, and of silver, of brass, of iron, of wood, and of stone."
-
-"And at that moment," remarked the Professor, "was seen the prophetic
-handwriting on the wall: `_Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin_,' being followed
-by the city's surprise by Cyrus the Great, and its fall and destruction.
-Then under Cyrus, the Israelites returned from their captivity, and by
-his decree another temple was built by Zerubbabel, the prince of Judah,
-who was leader of the migration.  Cyrus caused his treasurer Mithredath
-to deliver up the vessels which Nebuchadnezzar had carried away from
-Jerusalem, five thousand four hundred in number, to Zerubbabel to be
-re-consecrated to the service of Jehovah."
-
-"Is it to this second temple which our manuscript relates, do you
-think?" queried Frank.  "Or is it to Solomon's temple?"
-
-"Of the temple of Zerubbabel we have but few particulars," answered the
-Professor, "and no description that would enable us to realise its
-appearance.  But there are some dimensions given in the Bible and
-elsewhere which are extremely interesting as affording points of
-comparison between it and the temple of Solomon and Herod after it.  The
-first and most authentic are those given in the Book of Ezra [Ezra vi,
-3-4] when quoting the decree of Cyrus, wherein it is said: `Let the
-house be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the
-foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof three-score
-cubits, and the breadth thereof three-score cubits, with three rows of
-great stones and a row of new timber.'  Josephus quotes this passage
-almost literally, but in doing so enables us with certainty to translate
-the word here called `row' as storey, as indeed the sense would lead us
-to infer--for it could apply only to the three storeys of chambers that
-surrounded Solomon's, and afterwards Herod's temple, and with this again
-we come to the wooden talar which surmounted the temple and formed a
-fourth storey.  It may be remarked that this dimension of sixty cubits
-in height accords perfectly with the words which Josephus puts into the
-mouth of Herod when he makes him say that the temple built after the
-Captivity wanted sixty cubits of the height of that of Solomon.  For as
-he had adopted the height of a hundred and twenty cubits in the
-Chronicles for that temple, this one remained only sixty.  This temple
-was still standing in Herod's time, and was repaired by him.  Hecataeus
-mentions that the altar was twenty cubits square and ten high.  But he
-unfortunately does not supply us with the dimensions of the temple
-itself.  Therefore if the priests and Levites and Elders of families
-were disconsolate at seeing how much more sumptuous the old temple was
-than the one which on account of their poverty they had just been able
-to erect, [Ezra, iii, 12-13; Joseph Ast., xi, 4, 2] it certainly was not
-because it was smaller, as almost every dimension had been increased
-one-third; but it may have been that the carving and the gold and other
-ornaments of Solomon's temple far surpassed this, and the pillars of the
-portico and the veils may all have been far more splendid, so also
-probably were the vessels; and all this is what a Jew would mourn over,
-far more than mere architectural splendour."
-
-"It is a pity we do not know more about this second temple," remarked
-Gwen, in a tone of disappointment and regret.
-
-"For our present purpose its history, down to the taking of Jerusalem by
-Titus, does not concern us, my dear," remarked the old scholar, drawing
-his hand rather wearily over his white brow.  "The problem before us
-evidently has to do with the days of Jehoiakim, prior to the advance of
-Nebuchadnezzar.  Later facts and traditions do not concern us at the
-moment.  I think, however, I have given you an outline of the varied
-history of the temple and its treasures based upon the very latest
-readings of Egyptian, Assyrian and other inscriptions, sufficient to
-show you quite plainly that Solomon's treasure could not possibly have
-existed in the reign of Jehoiakim, and that the theory of this friend of
-yours, Diamond, is utterly and entirely without the foundation of
-tradition or of ancient legend."
-
-"Well," remarked the young man, "such an opinion coming from your mouth
-is, of course, final, Professor.  Yet you must admit that the statement,
-even as it stands, is full of interest."
-
-"Full of very cleverly conceived mystery--and mystery is always
-attractive," laughed the Professor, looking at him through his big,
-round, highly magnifying spectacles.
-
-In the statement he had made there was one discrepancy, one that only a
-scholar would notice.  He had purposely withheld one Biblical
-reference--one which, above all, had caused him to reflect and believe
-that the writer of the half-burnt screed was correct, that the secret
-and its key were actually genuine.
-
-But it was his fixed intention to turn Frank Farquhar from further
-investigation, and to laugh at Doctor Diamond as a fool, ignorant of any
-knowledge of the history of the Hebrew race.
-
-A silence fell.  Gwen Griffin and her lover were both staring straight
-at the fire without uttering a word.
-
-The old man sat watching the effect of his words upon the pair, and
-before Frank left, he handed back to him the charred remnants which he
-had received from the photographer.
-
-But his thoughts were of that other man--the short, white-bearded
-foreigner, his rival--who was so busy with his researches, the stranger
-from across the Channel who also held the remarkable secret.
-
-CHAPTER ELEVEN.
-
-THE GREAT GOD GOLD.
-
-After dining at the club Frank Farquhar strolled round to Half Moon
-Street, and throwing himself into an armchair before the fire, gave
-himself up to reflection.
-
-He was recalling what the Professor had said.  It was true that all
-stories of lost treasure were nowadays received with incredulity, and
-surely this was the most amazing and most wonderful of them all.
-
-Arminger Griffin, Regius Professor of Hebrew, treated the whole matter
-as a huge joke.  Historical fact was wholly against the suggestion
-contained in these half-burned scraps which, before his departure from
-Pembridge Gardens, the Professor had handed back to him.  Ah! if they
-could only reconstruct the context of those disjoined words.
-
-He took a cigar and lit it.  But a moment later he tossed it impatiently
-into the fire.  It tasted bitter.  The Professor had dashed all his
-hopes to the ground, for was not his opinion on such a matter final.
-
-As he bade good-night to Gwen in the hall and held her soft hand in his
-she had whispered to him words of encouragement.  "Father is really
-devoid of any romance," she declared.  "There may be something in the
-secret after all.  Could you not endeavour to find the person who made
-that remarkable declaration?"
-
-Her suggestion he was now carefully considering.
-
-The stranger who had died in Paris was apparently not the person who
-made the declaration.  The latter was in all probability alive.  If so,
-could he not furnish many more facts than the scrappy information they
-at present possessed?
-
-Yet what right had Doctor Diamond to the secret--and for the matter of
-that, what right had he himself?
-
-That the hard-up stranger in Paris feared lest the documents should fall
-into other hands was shown by his last act of causing them to be burned.
-Such a course made it appear as though the stranger had no right to the
-possession of the papers.  In all probability he had not!
-
-Gwen's suggestion, however, appealed to him.  Yet to find that one man
-in the whole world who knew the truth would, he foresaw, be a work
-fraught with greatest difficulty.  The only manner by which he could be
-approached, if found, would be upon pretence of restoring to him the
-charred remains of his valuable statement.
-
-The telephone-bell rang, and he rose and answered it.  The editor of one
-of the great daily journals controlled by his brother-in-law, Sir
-George, spoke from the office in Fleet Street, at that hour of the
-evening a hive of industry.  A question of policy had arisen, and the
-editor, one of the shining lights of modern journalism, consulted Frank
-as representative of the proprietor, Sir George being still in Egypt.
-
-Frank, after a brief conversation, left the matter entirely in the
-editor's hands, and replacing the receiver walked back from the big
-roll-top writing-table to the fireplace, where he stood with both arms
-leaning on the mantelshelf gazing thoughtfully into the blazing coals.
-
-A few moments later his man entered saying:
-
-"A gentleman to see you, sir--Doctor Diamond."
-
-Frank started.  His visitor was the very man of all men he wished most
-to consult, therefore he gave orders for him to be shown in at once.
-
-"Why, my dear Doctor," cried the young fellow, as the ugly little old
-man entered, "this is a real surprise!  I thought of running down to
-Horsford to see you in the morning.  Take off your coat and sit down.  I
-want to have a serious chat with you."
-
-"I got no reply to my two letters, Mr Farquhar," said the crook-backed
-little man in explanation of his visit.  "So I thought I'd just run up
-and see how you are progressing with our business."
-
-Frank helped him off with his shabby frieze coat and, having installed
-him comfortably by the fire and given him a cigar, replied:
-
-"Well, Doctor, the fact is I did not reply to your letters because I had
-nothing definite to report.  I trust you will not attribute my silence
-to any want of courtesy.  I have been busy over the matter ever since I
-returned to London."
-
-"And with what result?" asked the crafty-eyed little man.
-
-"Nothing very satisfactory, I regret to say," was the young man's
-answer.  "Yet I am not discouraged.  Professor Griffin, before whom I
-have placed it, gives as his opinion that there is probably, something
-in the theory, but he will not quite commit himself to any absolute
-declaration."
-
-"Is he really competent to judge?"  Diamond queried.
-
-"Competent!  Why, my dear sir, he's one of the first Hebrew scholars in
-the world!  He is daily engaged in making researches.  History, as we
-are acquainted with it, may negative the theory advanced in those scraps
-of typewriting, yet Old Testament history is, as you know, very involved
-and often very contradictory."
-
-"Well," exclaimed the Doctor, "to tell the truth, Mr Farquhar, I'm
-getting anxious.  What I fear is that too many people will get knowledge
-of it.  Then, with the secret out, we shall have others trying to
-investigate.  And with such a gigantic business before us, is it any
-wonder that I'm becoming impatient?"
-
-"Many a good business is spoilt by being in too great a hurry," Frank
-declared.  "Remain patient, and leave matters entirely to me," he added
-reflectively.  "I've been wondering whether, if we made diligent and
-secret inquiry, we might not discover the actual person, whoever he may
-be, who made the curious declaration.  It certainly was not your dead
-friend."
-
-The Doctor hesitated.  The idea at once commended itself to him.
-
-"No," he said.  "Often when I have recalled all the romantic facts, I
-have been inclined to suspect that the man who died, although a scholar,
-had no right to possession of those papers.  He intended to make money
-with them if death had not come so unexpectedly.  His very words proved
-that."
-
-"Exactly my opinion," declared Frank.  "Now if we could but find out who
-the mysterious discoverer really is, we might approach him under
-pretence of handing back to him the remains of the papers."
-
-"Ah!  You still have them safely, eh?" demanded the Doctor.
-
-"Certainly.  They are locked in from prying eyes in my desk yonder."
-
-"May I have them?"
-
-"Of course," was Frank's unhesitating reply, though he had no desire to
-part with them at that juncture.  Yet he had, unfortunately, no excuse
-for keeping them further.  He could not say that the Professor held
-them, as he had given his visitor a solemn promise not to allow the
-documents out of his possession.
-
-So he rose, unlocked a drawer with the key upon his chain, and handed to
-the deformed man the packet containing the half-burnt statement.
-
-"Well," remarked Diamond, as he took the precious documents in his hand,
-"if you think it a wise course, let us adopt it."
-
-"Yes, but where are we to commence our search?"
-
-"The stranger said he was a Dane.  He came from Copenhagen.  Is it not
-probable," suggested the Doctor, "that the discoverer was some friend of
-his residing in that city?"
-
-"More than likely," Farquhar agreed.  "Yes.  Let us try Copenhagen.  We
-must first find out who are the professors of Hebrew resident there.  I
-will write to our Copenhagen correspondent to-night and ask for a list.
-Then, if necessary, I will run over there myself.  In this matter we
-must lay out a decisive line of inquiry and follow it up."
-
-"Quite so," exclaimed the hunchback.  "Copenhagen must be our
-starting-point.  The initial difficulty, however, as far as I discern,
-is that we do not know our dead friend's name.  If we did and could
-trace him, we might discover whether he knew anybody who was a Hebrew
-scholar."
-
-"The Danish police would furnish us with names and descriptions of
-persons lately missing from the capital."
-
-"So they would, that's a brilliant idea," exclaimed the Doctor.  "My
-opinion is that the reason why he refused his name to me, even at the
-final moment, was because he was wanted by the police, and intended that
-they should remain in ignorance of his end."
-
-"If so, it makes our inquiry far easier," declared Frank.  "And suppose
-we find him?" he asked.
-
-"If we find him," answered Diamond, looking straight into the eyes of
-the ambitious man opposite--"if we find him, we will compel him to
-furnish to us the context of the statement."
-
-"Compel--eh?" repeated the other, a hard smile playing about the young
-man's lips.  Diamond was a queer figure and strange persons had always
-attracted him.  Through the ugly little doctor he had gained this
-remarkable knowledge of an uncanny secret withheld from the world for
-over two thousand years.  He was reflecting what a "boom" the discovery
-would be for that great daily newspaper of which he was one of the Board
-of Directors.
-
-"Then you agree that we shall at once turn our attention to Copenhagen--
-eh?" he asked.
-
-"Certainly--the sooner the better."
-
-"We have no photograph of your friend--a most unfortunate fact."
-
-Diamond gave a detailed description of the dead man, and his friend,
-crossing to his writing-table, wrote it carefully at his dictation.
-
-"I've been in Copenhagen several times," Frank remarked, "so I know that
-city fairly well.  I wonder whether the man we seek is a professor at
-the University?"
-
-"Our first object is to establish the dead man's identity."
-
-"He may have lied, and perhaps was not a Dane after all!  He may have
-been a Norwegian, or even a Swede."
-
-Diamond raised his deformed shoulders and answered:
-
-"True, as he was so bent upon concealing his identity he may well have
-lied to me regarding his nationality.  Yet we must risk that, don't you
-think?"
-
-"But you told me that you were convinced that he was a Scandinavian."
-
-"Yes.  But he might have come from Stockholm, or Gothenburg or
-Christiania."
-
-"Our first inquiries must be of the Danish police," Frank said
-decisively.  "I'll write to-night to our correspondent in Copenhagen."
-
-"Would it not be best for you to go there and make inquiries yourself?"
-
-"I may do that.  Most probably I shall."
-
-"Stories of treasure are always attractive," remarked the Doctor,
-casting a crafty glance at his young friend.  "I hope, Mr Farquhar, you
-will make no mention in any of your papers regarding it."
-
-"My dear Doctor, don't worry yourself about that," Frank laughed.  "Of
-treasure stories we've of late had a perfect glut.  For a long time, for
-instance, I've taken a deep interest in the wrecks of vessels known to
-have contained treasure, the exact location of which are known.  As an
-example, we have the ship _Grosvenor_ now lying off the Pondoland Coast
-with over a million and a half pounds of treasure in her rotting hold.
-Then there's the _Ariston_, in Marcus Bay, with 800,000 pounds worth;
-the _Birkenhead_, on Birkenhead Reef, with a similar amount; the
-_Atlas_, near Yarmouth, with 700,000 pounds, the _Dorothea_, on Tenedos
-Reef, with 460,000 pounds; the _Abercrombie_, lying under the Black
-Rock, with 180,000 pounds; and the _Merenstein_, on the coast of Yutton
-Island, with 120,000 pounds.  In addition to these there are H.M.S.
-_Chandos_ with 60,000 pounds in coin in her hold, the troopship
-_Addison_ with 20,000 pounds in gold, and the _Harlem II_, lying half
-covered by sand with her hold full of silver bars.  All these and many
-others are lying in positions perfectly well known, and only await
-salvage.  Why, in one gale off the West African coast in 1802 seven
-ships were wrecked, all of them containing a vast treasure.  Besides,
-the contents of the vessels I have mentioned have all been verified from
-their bills of lading still in existence.  No, my dear Doctor," the
-young man added with a laugh, "had the story been an ordinary one of
-treasure it would not have interested me in the least, I assure you; and
-as for publishing any details, why, my dear sir, is it not to my own
-personal interest to keep the matter as secret as possible?  Please do
-not have any apprehension on that score."
-
-"I have not," declared the hunchback; "my great fear, however, is that
-this professor friend of yours may chatter."
-
-"He will not.  I have impressed upon Griffin the value of silence," said
-Frank.  "Besides, he is a `dry-as-dust,' silent man, who says nothing,
-so absorbed is he in his studies in his own particular sphere."
-
-"Good.  Then we will now transfer our attention to Copenhagen."
-
-"I shall write to-night.  Remain patient and wait the reply of the
-Danish police.  I'm open to bet anything that your friend was compelled
-to make himself scarce from Denmark, and carried with him confidential
-documents which were not his property and with which he had no right to
-deal."
-
-"Then if that really turns out so, it also proves another thing."
-
-"What's that?"
-
-"Why, if the documents were to be of any commercial value, they must
-have contained the actual key to the secret."
-
-"No doubt.  The key was written clearly in those manuscript folios, all
-of which were burned save one," was Frank's reply.  "It is the context
-of that document which we must obtain at all costs and at all hazards.
-And if the dead man has not lied I'm firmly of opinion that it will be
-found within the city of Copenhagen."
-
-CHAPTER TWELVE.
-
-DESCRIBES AN IMPORTANT DISCOVERY.
-
-Professor Griffin, for a scholar was a man of unusually rapid action.
-
-He was convinced that another person was following the same course of
-inquiry as himself.  Therefore he determined to act quickly and
-decisively.
-
-Next day he returned to the British Museum, and after three hours' work
-completed the copy of the manuscript.  Then he turned his attention to
-two fragments of the Hebrew manuscript of the Book of Ezekiel, one of
-the fourth century in the Oriental Room, and the other of the fifth
-century in the Harleian collection.
-
-While studying these, he recollected that some fragment of early
-manuscript of Ezekiel had been recently found in the Genisa in Old Cairo
-by Mr Alder and his companions, and that several of them were in the
-Bodleian Library at Oxford.  Therefore, he searched the catalogue, noted
-the numbers, and that evening took the train to the university centre,
-staying the night at the Randolph Hotel.
-
-Next morning he was in consultation with his friend, Professor Cowley,
-and Number 2611 of the Hebrew manuscript was brought.  It proved to be
-the text of Ezekiel from chapter xiv, 22 to chapter xlvii, 6.
-
-"Ah!" exclaimed Griffin, the instant he glanced at it.  "It is too
-modern, I fear, for it contains the vowel-points."
-
-"Yes," answered his friend.  "I fear it will be of no value to you, if
-you seek a very early manuscript."
-
-Griffin had made no explanation of the reason of his inquiry.
-
-"The oldest manuscript of Ezekiel is, as you know, in the Imperial
-Library in St Petersburg," Professor Cowley remarked.  "I have here
-some photographic reproductions," and from a portfolio he produced some
-facsimiles which had been published by the Paleographical Society some
-years ago.  They were splendid reproductions, and to Griffin of most
-intense interest.
-
-He sat and for a long time examined them most carefully.  He made no
-remark to his friend, but from the expression upon his face after making
-a pencilled calculation upon the blotting-pad before him, it was evident
-that his search had not been unrewarded.
-
-The only other actual manuscript in the Bodleian proved to be a
-parchment fragment of chaps, x, 9 to xiv, 11.  But this containing
-vowel-points and accents on both Mashrahs, was, at a glance, dismissed
-as comparatively modern, its age being about A.D. 220.
-
-The facsimile of the St Petersburg manuscript was to him most
-interesting and from it Griffin made copious notes.  Then, that same
-afternoon, he left for Cambridge, where next day he inspected several
-early manuscripts in the University Library, and at evening was back
-again in Pembridge Gardens, where he dined alone with Gwen.
-
-The girl was anxious to ascertain what her father had discovered, but he
-was most reticent, knowing well that all would be told to Frank Farquhar
-on the following day.
-
-Suddenly she said:
-
-"Frank has gone abroad, dad."
-
-"Abroad?  Where to?"
-
-"To Copenhagen.  He left Victoria at eleven this morning and travels by
-Flushing, Kiel and Korsor.  I saw him off."
-
-"Copenhagen!" repeated the Professor thoughtfully, and in an instant he
-recollected that the dead stranger was a Dane, from Copenhagen.  What
-clue was young Farquhar following?
-
-That night he sat alone in his study reading and re-reading the copy of
-the first manuscript he had consulted in the British Museum, and
-comparing it most carefully with the extracts he had made from the
-facsimile of the St Petersburg codex.
-
-Then he took from a shelf a copy of the Old Testament in Hebrew and
-English, and compared the Hebrew with the early texts.
-
-"After all," he remarked aloud to himself, "there is little or no
-difference in our modern Hebrew text, except that in the older
-manuscripts the name of the Deity is written larger, in order to render
-it prominent.  Ah! if I could only reconstruct the context!"
-
-From his table he took up a large envelope, and breaking it open, drew
-forth the whole-plate photographic reproductions of the precious
-fragments of the dead stranger's manuscript.  These he placed before him
-beneath his reading-lamp, and studied them long and carefully,
-especially the scrap of handwriting.
-
-Turning again to the extract he had made from the codex in St
-Petersburg he re-examined it.  The portion was Ezekiel, ii, 9-10 in
-Hebrew, the English of which was as follows: "And when I looked, behold
-an hand _was_ sent unto me; and, lo, a roll of a book _was_ therein.
-And he spread it before me; and it _was_ written within and without: and
-_there_ was written therein lamentations, and mourning, and woe."
-
-These two verses had attracted him at Oxford, and they again riveted his
-attention.  It almost seemed as though he read in them some riddle
-meaning something tangible, for he was making upon a slip of paper
-frequent and rapid arithmetical calculations.
-
-At half-past ten Gwen came, and kissing him good-night, urged him to go
-to bed, but nevertheless he continued his work far into the night, until
-the fire had burned itself out and he rose cold and tired.
-
-He sighed, for though he had alighted upon something mysterious and
-hitherto undiscerned in that early text, yet its meaning was altogether
-uncertain.
-
-Its discovery only served to increase the mystery a hundredfold.
-
-As he lay in bed, two facts caused him apprehension.  The first was the
-existence of the mysterious foreigner who was following the same line of
-inquiry as himself, and the second was the true reason of Frank
-Farquhar's visit to Copenhagen.
-
-That the mysterious foreigner was making active investigations had again
-been proved by Professor Cowley at Oxford, for he had remarked that only
-on the previous day those selfsame fragments of Ezekiel had been
-carefully inspected by a white-bearded man whose description answered in
-every detail to the man who had searched in the Oriental Room of the
-British Museum.
-
-"He seemed extremely interested in the text of Ezekiel," professor
-Cowley had remarked.  "He was a scholar, too, from the north of Europe I
-should say."
-
-The mysterious searcher seemed a kind of will-o'-the-wisp, who had taken
-exactly the same course as himself, only he had progressed a day or so
-ahead.  Was it possible that he held the selfsame knowledge as that
-contained on the half-destroyed statement?
-
-Next day Griffin again visited the British Museum, in order to make
-further researches, and on entering, his friend the assistant-keeper
-exclaimed:
-
-"Oh!  Professor!  That foreign old gentleman, who is interested in
-Ezekiel, was here again yesterday afternoon."
-
-"Here again!" echoed Griffin.  "Have you found out who he is?"
-
-"No--except that he is evidently a scholar."
-
-"What manuscripts did he consult?"
-
-"Only one--the early fragment of Deuteronomy," was the
-assistant-keeper's reply.
-
-"May I see it?"
-
-"Certainly," and the official gave orders for the precious piece of
-faded parchment to be brought.
-
-It proved to be a Hebrew manuscript of a portion of the fifth chapter of
-Deuteronomy beginning at the twenty-third verse, and ending at the
-thirty-first Griffin who read Hebrew as he did English, glanced through
-it, and saw that in English, the first verse could be translated as,
-"And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the
-darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire), that ye came near unto
-me, _even_ all the heads of your tribes, and your elders; And ye said,
-`Behold the Lord our God hath shewed us His glory and His greatness, and
-we have heard His voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this
-day that God doth talk with man, and He liveth.'"
-
-As he read rapidly the Hebrew words his face brightened.  Something was
-revealed to him.  The stranger was evidently following an exactly
-similar line to himself, and had, by copying that Biblical fragment,
-advanced a stage nearer the truth!
-
-"This fragment is published in facsimile, if I remember aright?" he
-asked the assistant-keeper of manuscripts.
-
-"Yes, by the Paleographical Society.  I have a copy if you wish the loan
-of it."
-
-And the Professor gladly accepted the loan of the large thin volume of
-reproductions of the rarest treasures among the Biblical manuscripts.
-
-The researches of the foreigner showed him to be in possession of some
-additional facts.  What were they?  Ah! if he could only meet the man
-whose footsteps he was following, if he could only watch unseen, and
-note what authorities he was consulting.
-
-For a week he haunted the Museum at all hours, hoping to meet the old
-man who held possession of the dead man's secret.
-
-He wrote to Professor Cowley at Oxford, and received a reply stating
-that the foreigner had been again to the Bodleian on the previous day
-inspecting the two fragments of early texts of Deuteronomy preserved
-there.
-
-Griffin lost no time in again going down to Oxford, and next morning
-early called at the library.  He remained there all day, but to his
-disappointment the mysterious old man did not reappear.  He had no doubt
-left Oxford before the Professor's arrival.
-
-From those two fragments of Deuteronomy which had so interested the
-stranger, Griffin could make out nothing.  They did not contain anything
-bearing upon the theory that he had been following.  Yet he was told
-that the stranger had spent five hours in studying them and making
-certain arithmetical calculations.
-
-He was sitting in the same silent, restful, book-lined room in which the
-stranger had sat.  He was in the same chair, indeed, and before him was
-the same writing-pad upon which he had written.
-
-The precious fragment was lying upon the pad of red blotting-paper.  At
-his side stood the official who had handed the stranger the piece of
-crinkled parchment which he had sought.
-
-"Yes," he was saying, "he made a number of calculations, covering many
-sheets of paper, and when he left, he said that his work was unfinished,
-and that he intended to return.  But we have not seen him since."
-
-As Professor Griffin was gazing long and steadily upon that early
-fragment of Hebrew text, the official, who of course, knew the Professor
-well, added: "Curiously enough, after he had gone, I found lying on the
-table a piece of paper on which he had been making his calculations.
-Here it is," and he placed before the Professor a piece of crumpled
-paper bearing upon it what appeared to be a sum of multiplication and
-addition.
-
-Griffin examined it eagerly, and, used as he was to the arithmetical
-values of the letters of the Hebrew alphabet--for each letter was a
-numerical value--he saw instantly that the stranger's secret had fallen
-into his hands!  He held his breath as the assistant-librarian placed a
-second scrap of paper before him.
-
-By those two discarded scraps astounding truths had been suddenly
-revealed to him!
-
-CHAPTER THIRTEEN.
-
-SHOWS A FACE IN THE NIGHT.
-
-To the ordinary observer the sum upon the scrap of paper would have
-conveyed nothing.
-
-Professor Griffin studied it carefully, however, and mentally submitted
-it to certain tests.
-
-What was written upon the paper was as follows:
-
-The Professor begged leave to take it with him to London, whereupon the
-assistant-librarian replied: "It seems very much as though our friend
-the stranger is applying some numerical cipher to that fragment of
-Deuteronomy, does it not?  Of course, Professor, you may have it--and
-welcome.  I confess I cannot make head or tail of it."
-
-"Nor I either," laughed Griffin, blinking through his spectacles.  "Yet
-it interests me, and I thank you very much for it.  Apparently this
-foreigner believes that he has made some discovery.  Ah!" he added, "how
-many cranks there are among Hebrew scholars--more especially the
-cabalists!"
-
-And in pretence of ignorance of the true meaning of that curious
-arrangement of figures, the Professor placed the scrap of paper in his
-breast-pocket, and returned to the Randolph Hotel, where he had tea,
-afterwards sitting for a long time in the writing-room with the
-stranger's discarded calculation spread before him.
-
-In the left-hand corner of the piece of paper was something which
-puzzled him extremely.  In a neat hand were written the figures,
-255.19.7.  And while awaiting his train, he lit his big briar pipe, and
-seating himself before the fire, tried to think out what they could
-mean.
-
-But though he pondered for over an hour he failed to discern their
-object.  They were evidently the stranger's signature.
-
-He applied the Hebrew equivalents to them, and they were as follows:
-"Beth.  He.  He, A-leph-Teth.  Za-yin."  But they conveyed to him
-absolutely nothing.
-
-Seated alone in the corner of the first-class carriage, he again took
-out the scrap of paper, and held it before him.  That there was a cipher
-deciphered into the words "of the Temple that," was apparent.
-
-He started with the ordinary numerical values of the Hebrew alphabet.
-They were 7.3.4.1.0.9. which meant: Za-yin, Gi-mel, Da-leth, A-leph, the
-zero, and Teth.  These were multiplied by He, which meant 5.  Then
-719220, meaning certain other letters, were added and multiplied by
-yodh, or ten.  From each number of the total 3, or Gi-mel, was
-subtracted, and the English translation of the figures that remained
-was: "of the Temple that--"
-
-To such a man, versed in all the cabalistic ciphers of the ancients, the
-truth was plain.  Extremely involved and ingenious it was, without a
-doubt, but by careful study of this he would, he saw, be able to find
-the key being used by the aged man who had in such an uncanny way signed
-himself "255.19.7."
-
-He replaced it carefully in his pocket, and lighting his pipe, set back
-in the carriage to reflect.
-
-Ah! if he could only come across that will-o'-the-wisp who was engaged
-in the search after the truth.  Probably he possessed the context of the
-burnt document, and could supply the missing portion.  But if so, how
-had it fallen into his hands?
-
-The affair was a problem which daily became more interesting and more
-extraordinary.
-
-At Westbourne Park Station, when the collector came for his ticket, he
-fumbled for it in his pocket, but was unable for some time to find it.
-Then at Paddington he took a taxi-cab home, arriving in time for a late
-dinner.
-
-Gwen bright and cheerful, sat at the head of the table as was her habit,
-inquisitive as to her father's movements and discoveries.
-
-But to her carefully guarded inquiries he remained mute.  He had been
-down to the Bodleian, he said, but that was all.  The old man longed to
-get back to the restful silence of his own study to examine the scrap of
-paper left by the stranger, and from it to determine the exact key to
-that very ingenious numerical cipher.
-
-The man who was in search of the same secret as himself was a weird
-person, to say the least.  Both in London and in Oxford, he had come
-across the aged man's trail.  That he was unknown in England as a
-scholar was apparent, and that he was a deeply read man and student of
-Hebrew was equally plain.
-
-He was not a Jew.  Both the Library assistants at the British Museum and
-at the Bodleian had agreed upon that point.
-
-They had declared that he was from the north of Europe.  Was he a Dane
-from Copenhagen, like the dead man who had preferred to be known as
-Jules Blanc?
-
-Arminger Griffin ate his dinner in impatience carefully avoiding the
-questions his pretty daughter put to him.  Then he ascended to the
-study, having bidden her good-night.  She had received no news of Frank,
-it seemed.  For what reason had the young man so suddenly left for
-Copenhagen?  The question caused him constant apprehension.  Could he
-have discovered any clue to the existence of the context of the
-document?
-
-More than once during the day he had been half tempted to go himself to
-Denmark, but the discovery of the aged stranger's arithmetical
-calculations induced him to remain in London and watch.
-
-Having switched on the light he crossed the room, and seating himself at
-the table felt in his pocket for the scribbled calculation.  He failed
-to find it.  He was horrified.  It had gone!
-
-He must have pulled it from his pocket at Westbourne Park while
-searching for his ticket.  His loss was, indeed, a serious one.  In
-frantic haste he searched all his other pockets, but in vain.  The
-scraps of crumpled paper which contained the key to a portion of the
-cipher upon which the stranger was working was gone!
-
-He sank into his armchair in despair.
-
-Before his vision rose those mystical figures 255.19.7. written in fire.
-What was the hidden meaning therein contained?
-
-One line of the sum he recollected: "7.3.4.1.0.9." multiplied by 5.
-Mental calculation resulted in the answer of 3670646.  There was a sum
-to add to it.  But alas! he could not remember the figures of it.
-
-Therefore the clue, so unexpectedly obtained, was lost.
-
-So he sat alone, his head buried in his hands in deepest despair.
-
-Gwen crept in in silence, but seeing her father's attitude, crept out
-again without disturbing him, and read in the drawing-room alone, until
-it was time to return to her room.
-
-"Shall I ever solve the mystery?" cried the Professor aloud to himself
-as he paced the room presently.  "Misfortune has befallen me!  With that
-fragment deciphered I could by careful study have learned the key and
-then read what that mysterious searcher has undoubtedly read.  Ah! if I
-could only meet him.  Then I would follow and watch his movements.  But
-alas!  I am always too late--too late!"
-
-As he sank again into a chair, plunged in the wildest despair, the dark
-figure of a tall, thick-set, military-looking man of about forty, in a
-long dark overcoat, passed and repassed the house in the rainy night.
-
-For some time, he had been waiting at Notting Hill Gate Station, almost
-opposite the end of Pembridge Gardens, glancing at the clock now and
-then, as though impatiently watching for someone.  Then, at last, as if
-full of determination he had crossed the Bayswater Road, and strolled
-slowly past Professor Griffin's house, eyeing its lighted windows with
-considerable curiosity as he went by.
-
-He continued his walk as far as the end of the road which led into
-Pembridge Square, and there halted for shelter for a full five minutes
-beneath the portico of a house.  Then he retraced his steps, re-passing
-the house which had aroused so much interest within him, until he came
-to the station where he again stood in patience.
-
-The watcher was an active, rather good-looking man, though the reason of
-his presence there was not at all apparent.  To pass the time he bought
-an evening paper, and stood in the corner reading it, yet in such a
-position that he could watch everybody who entered or left the
-Underground Railway Station.  There was a slight foreign cast in his
-features.  His keen dark eyes were searching everywhere, while the
-clothes he wore were the clothes of a man of refined taste.
-
-From time to time there played about his dark face a sinister smile--a
-smile of triumph.  He was evidently not a man to be trifled with, and it
-seemed very much as though he held the owner of that comfortable house
-in resentment.
-
-The words he muttered as he stood there pretending to read were, in
-themselves, sufficient indication of this:
-
-"They thought to trick him--to trick me--but by Jove, they'll find
-themselves mistaken!" and his claw-like hand gripped the newspaper until
-it trembled in his grasp.
-
-He lit a cigarette, and twice crossed the road.  Standing at the corner
-of Pembridge Gardens, he again looked up the street, dark, misty, and
-deserted on that winter's night.
-
-"They laugh at us without a doubt," he muttered to himself.  "They
-laugh, because they think he's fool enough to give away the secret.
-Yes, they take him for a blind idiot.  Frank Farquhar has gone upon a
-fool's errand to Denmark, intending to `freeze us out' of what is justly
-ours.  When he returns, he will find that I have checkmated both him and
-his friend Griffin, in a manner in which he little expects."
-
-His countenance was full of craft and cunning; his smile was sufficient
-index to his character.
-
-Soon after ten o'clock, while standing at the corner of Pembridge
-Gardens, he suddenly drew back into the shadow, turned upon his heel and
-crossed the road to the station, in order to avoid notice.
-
-Having gained the opposite pavement, he drew back again into the shadow,
-and saw a female figure in a short dark skirt, and wearing a handsome
-white fox boa, hurrying across the road in his direction.
-
-She passed him, and he for the first time caught sight of her pretty
-face.  It was Gwen Griffin.
-
-Apparently she was in a frantic hurry, for she rushed into the
-booking-office and in her haste to get a ticket, dropped her purse.
-Then, when she had run down the stairs to the platform, the silent
-watcher followed leisurely, obtained a ticket for Earl's Court, but was
-careful not to gain the platform until the girl had already left.
-
-"I thought the story would alarm her," he laughed to himself as he stood
-awaiting the next "Circle" train.  "Ah, my fine young fellow, you've
-made a great and a most fatal error!" he added with a dry laugh, as he
-paced the platform.
-
-CHAPTER FOURTEEN.
-
-IN WHICH OWEN BECOMES ANXIOUS.
-
-When just on the point of retiring, the maid had brought Gwen up a
-telegram from Frank, stating that something serious had occurred, that
-he had returned to London unexpectedly, and that he was unable to come
-to the house as he preferred not to meet her father, and urging her to
-meet him at Earl's Court Station at a quarter past ten that night.
-
-In greatest alarm, and wondering what could possibly have occurred, the
-girl had dipped on the first things that had come to her hand and had
-dashed out to meet her lover.
-
-Before going forth she had taken the maid into her confidence, saying:
-
-"I have to go out, Laura.  You need not mention anything to my father.
-Leave the front door unbolted.  I will take the latch-key."
-
-The dark-eyed girl, with whom Miss Gwen was a great favourite, promised
-to say nothing, and had let her young mistress quietly out.
-
-Gwen was puzzled why Frank should appoint to meet her at Earl's Court.
-If the interview was to be a secret one, why had he not committed a
-breach of the _convenances_ and asked her to his rooms?  She had been
-there to tea once--in strictest secrecy, of course--but in company with
-a girl friend.
-
-What untoward circumstances could have arisen to bring Frank back before
-he reached Copenhagen?  He could not have got further than Hamburg, she
-reflected--if as far.
-
-At Earl's Court she alighted, and having ascended the stairs in eager
-expectation, passed through the booking-office into the Earl's Court
-Road, expecting her lover to meet her.
-
-But she was disappointed.  He was not there.  She glanced at the railway
-dock, and saw that it was already twenty-five minutes past ten.  The
-receipt of the strange message had upset her.  She felt that something
-terrible must have occurred if Frank "preferred" not to face her father.
-What could it be?  She was half frantic with fear and apprehension.
-
-From out the misty night the tall man standing in the shadow on the
-opposite side of the road was watching her every movement.  At the kerb
-stood a taxi-cab which he had hailed, and now kept waiting.  He had
-remarked to the driver that he expected a lady and would wait until she
-arrived.
-
-For fully a quarter of an hour he allowed the girl to pace up and down
-the pavement outside the station, waiting with an impatience that was
-apparent.  That message which she believed to be from Frank had filled
-her mind with all sorts of grave apprehensions.  He would surely never
-appoint that spot as a meeting place if secrecy were not imperative.
-
-She noticed that there were quiet deserted thoroughfares in the
-vicinity.  There he no doubt intended to walk and explain the situation.
-
-Yet why did he not come, she asked herself.  Already he was half an hour
-late, while she, agitated and anxious, could scarcely contain herself.
-
-Suddenly, however, a tall good-looking man in a dark overcoat stood
-before her and raised his silk hat.  She was about to step aside and
-pass on when the man begged her pardon, and uttered her name, adding:
-
-"I believe you are expecting my friend, Frank Farquhar?"
-
-"Yes," she replied.  "I--I am."  And she regarded the stranger
-inquiringly.
-
-"He has sent me, Miss Griffin, as he is unfortunately unable to keep the
-appointment himself?"
-
-"Sent you--why?" asked the girl, looking him straight in the face.
-
-"He has sent me to tell you that something unexpected has happened,"
-replied the man.
-
-"What has occurred?" she gasped.  "Tell me quickly."
-
-"Well," he said with some deliberation.  "I do not know whether you are
-aware that Mr Farquhar was interested in a great and remarkable
-secret--a secret which he was occupied in investigating?"
-
-"Yes," she answered quickly.  "I know all about it.  He told me
-everything."
-
-"The _contretemps_ which has occurred is in connection with that," the
-stranger said.  "He was on his way to Copenhagen, but was compelled to
-return.  He has, I believe, gained the key to some extraordinary cipher
-or other, and therefore he wishes to see you at once, and in secret.  He
-told me that at present his return to London must be kept confidential,
-as there are other unscrupulous people most anxious to learn the truth
-upon which such enormous possibilities depend."
-
-"He wants me to go to him," the girl cried.  "Where is he then?"
-
-"Not far away," the man replied.  "If you will allow me to escort you, I
-will do so willingly, Miss Griffin."
-
-The girl hesitated.  She naturally mistrusted strange men.  He saw her
-hesitation, and added:
-
-"I trust you will forgive me for not being with you at the time Frank
-appointed, but--well, I don't wish to alarm you unduly, but he was not
-very well.  I was sitting with him."
-
-"Then he's ill!" she cried in alarm.  "Tell me.  Oh! do tell me what has
-occurred."
-
-"He will tell you himself," was the ingenious reply.  "But," he added,
-as though in afterthought, "I ought to have given you my card."  And he
-produced one and handed it to her.  The name upon it was "William
-Wetherton, Captain, 12th Lancers."
-
-"Do relieve my anxiety, Captain Wetherton," the girl implored.  "Tell me
-what has happened."
-
-"As I have already said, Farquhar has made a great discovery, and wishes
-at once to consult you.  His indisposition was only temporary--an attack
-of giddiness," he added, and he saw that she was wavering.  "I'm an old
-friend of Frank's," he went on, "and he consulted me, as soon as the
-matter of the Hebrew secret came into his hands.  Of course, he has very
-often mentioned you," he laughed.
-
-He was a well-spoken man, and beneath his smile the girl did not detect
-his cunning.  Her natural caution was overcome by her frantic desire to
-see Frank, and hear what he had discovered.  An instant's reflection
-showed her that if he could not meet her it was only natural that he
-should send his friend Captain Wetherton--a man of whom he had spoken on
-several occasions.  He was stationed at Hounslow, Frank had told her,
-and they often spent the evening together at the club and some "show"
-afterwards.
-
-"There's a `taxi' across the way," the Captain pointed out.  "Let us
-take it--that is if I may be permitted to be your escort, Miss Griffin?"
-
-"Is it far?"
-
-"Oh, dear no," he laughed, and raising his hand he called the cab he had
-already in waiting.  The vehicle drew across, and as he entered after
-her he spoke to the man.  He had already given him the address before he
-had approached her.  As he sat by her side, the man's face changed.  In
-the semi-darkness she could not get a good look at his features, yet his
-chatter was gentlemanly and good-humoured.  From his remarks it was
-apparent that he had known her lover for a long time, and held him in
-high esteem.
-
-"As soon as Frank's telegram arrived, I rushed out," said the young
-girl.  "It was a great surprise, for I believed him to be on his way to
-Copenhagen."
-
-"They'll probably miss you at home, won't they?" he asked, with a glance
-of admiration at the girl's sweet face.
-
-"Well," she laughed, "my father doesn't know I'm out.  Laura, the maid,
-will leave the door unbolted and I've got the latch-key."
-
-The man seated at her side smiled, turning away his head lest she might
-wonder.
-
-Acquainted as Gwen was with the streets of the West End, she saw that
-the course taken by the "taxi" was through Brompton Road and
-Knightsbridge to Hyde Park Corner, then straight up South Audley Street
-and across one of the squares, Grosvenor Square she believed it to be.
-
-"Why isn't Frank at his own rooms in Half Moon Street?" she asked with
-some curiosity.
-
-"Because, having discovered the secret, he is now in fear of his rivals,
-so is compelled to go into hiding.  I, alone, his best friend, know his
-whereabouts.  Quite romantic, isn't it?" he laughed.
-
-"Quite.  Only--well, only--Captain Wetherton, I do wish you would tell
-me what has really occurred.  I feel that you are keeping something from
-me."
-
-"I certainly am, Miss Griffin," was his prompt reply, a reply which
-contained more meaning than he had intended.  "Frank, in sending me to
-you, made the stipulation that he should have the pleasure of telling
-you himself.  All I can say is that I believe the knowledge of the
-secret will be the means of bringing to him wealth undreamed of, and a
-notoriety world-wide."
-
-He was purposely keeping her engrossed in conversation, in order that
-they might cross Oxford Street; hoping that in the maze of turnings
-beyond that main thoroughfare she might lose her bearings.
-
-Suddenly the "taxi" pulled up with a jerk before a closed shop, in a
-dark, rather unfrequented but seemingly superior street, and the Captain
-opened the side door with his latch-key, disclosing a flight of
-red-carpeted stairs.
-
-"Here are my rooms," Wetherton explained.  "Frank has sought refuge with
-me here.  He is upstairs."
-
-Gwen ascended the stairs quickly to the second floor, where the Captain
-opened the door with his key, and a moment later she found herself in a
-large, well-furnished bachelor's sitting-room where the electric lamps
-were shaded with yellow silk.
-
-It was evidently the room of a man comfortably off, for the furniture
-had been chosen with taste, and the pretty knick-knacks and quaint
-curios upon the table showed the owner of the place to be a man of some
-refinement.
-
-"Where is he?" inquired the girl, looking around blankly, her cheeks
-flushed with excitement.
-
-The man turned upon her, and laughed roughly in her face.
-
-She drew back in horror and alarm when, in an instant, she realised how
-utterly helpless she now was in the stranger's hands.  He had closed the
-door behind him and pushed back the bolt concealed beneath the heavy
-portiere.
-
-"He is not here!" she gasped.  "You've--you've lied to me.  This is a
-trick!" she gasped.
-
-"Pray calm yourself, my dear little girl," he said, coolly lighting a
-cigarette.  "Sit down.  I want to have a quiet chat with you."
-
-"I will not, sir!" she answered, with rising anger.  "Allow me, please,
-to go.  I shall tell your friend Mr Farquhar of this disgraceful ruse."
-
-"You can tell him, my dear girl, whatever you please," the fellow
-laughed insolently.  "As a matter of fact, your lover does not know me
-from Adam.  So you see it's quite immaterial."
-
-"It is not immaterial," she declared, with a fierce look of resentment:
-"You shall answer to him for this!"
-
-"Possibly it will be you who will be compelled to answer to him, when he
-knows that you have accompanied me here alone to my rooms, at eleven at
-night--eh?  What will your lover say to that, I wonder?"
-
-"I have the telegram," she cried, opening the little bag she carried.
-
-It was not there!
-
-"See," he laughed.  "I have the telegram!"  And before her eyes he
-tossed it into the fire.
-
-She bent to snatch it from the flame, but he seized her white wrist
-roughly and threw her backward upon the hearthrug.  He had extracted the
-message from her bag as they had sat together in the darkness of the
-cab.
-
-Struggling to her feet she screamed for help, and fought frantically
-with the man who had decoyed her there; fought with the fierce strength
-of a woman defending her dearest possession, her honour.
-
-She saw how the man's countenance had changed.  There was an evil
-expression there which held her terrified.
-
-She begged mercy from him, begged wildly upon her knees, but he only
-laughed in her face in triumph.  She saw, now that the telegram was
-destroyed, that this man who had posed as Frank's friend could make his
-vile story entirely complete.
-
-She was helpless in the hands of a man whose very face betrayed his vile
-unscrupulousness.
-
-In the struggle she felt his hot foetid breath upon her cheek.  Her
-blouse of pale blue _crepe-de-chine_ was ripped right across the breast
-as she endeavoured to wrench herself from his grasp.
-
-"Ah!  Have mercy on me!" she screamed.  "Let me go!  Let me go!  I'll
-give you anything--I--I--I'll be silent even--if you'll only let me go!
-Ah! do--if you are a gentleman!"
-
-But the fellow only laughed again, and held her more tightly.
-
-Her bare chest heaved and fell quickly before him.  Her breath came and
-went.
-
-"You think," he said in a cruel hard voice, "you think your lover will
-not believe me.  But I see upon your flesh a mark--a natural blemish
-that you cannot efface.  Listen to me quietly.  Hear me, or else I shall
-tell him of its existence, and urge him to discover whether or not I
-have spoken the truth.  Perhaps he will then believe me!"
-
-"You brute!" cried the girl in sudden and breathless horror.  "You
-blackguard! you intend to ruin me in Frank's eyes.  Let me go, I say!
-Let me go."  Again she struggled, trying to get to the window, but with
-his strong arms encircling her she was helpless as a child, for with a
-sudden effort he flung her backwards upon the couch, inert and
-senseless.
-
-CHAPTER FIFTEEN.
-
-REVEALS THE RIVALS.
-
-Sir Felix Challas, Baronet the well-known financier and philanthropist,
-was seated in his cosy library in Berkeley Square, dictating letters to
-his secretary between the whiffs of his mild after-breakfast cigar.  He
-was a man of middle age, with slight side whiskers, a reddish face, and
-opulent bearing.  In his frock-coat, fancy vest, and striped trousers,
-and white spats over his boots, he presented the acme of style as far as
-dress was concerned.  The whole world knew Sir Felix to be something of
-a dandy, for he had never, for the past ten years or so, been seen
-without a flower in his buttonhole.  Like many another man in London he
-had amassed great wealth from small beginnings, until he was now a power
-in the world of finance, and as a philanthropist his name was a
-household word.
-
-From a small leather shop somewhere in the Mile End Road he had risen to
-be the controlling factor of several of the greatest financial
-undertakings in the country; while the house of Challas and Bowen in
-Austin Friars was known in the City as one of the highest possible
-standing.
-
-Though he owned that fine house in Berkeley Square, a beautiful domain
-in Yorkshire which he had purchased from a bankrupt earl, a villa at
-Cannes, racehorses, motors, and a splendid steam-yacht, he was still a
-bachelor, and a somewhat lonely man.
-
-The papers mentioned his doings daily, gave his portrait frequently, and
-recorded with a flourish of trumpets his latest donation to this
-charity, or to that.  Though he made enormous profits in his financial
-deals, yet he was a staunch churchman, his hand ever in his pocket for
-the various institutions which approached him.  Indeed, if the truth
-were told, he, like others, had bought his birthday Baronetcy by making
-a princely donation to the Hospital Fund.  This showed him to be a
-shrewd man, fully alive to the value of judicious advertisement.
-
-In the years gone by he had mixed with many of the shady characters of
-the complex world of the City, but now, in his opulence, he had
-apparently cut himself adrift from them all, and prided himself upon his
-eminent respectability.
-
-As he sat there that winter's morning, leaning back in his big leather
-armchair before the fire, he was dictating a letter to the governors of
-a great orphanage at Bristol, promising to defray the cost of building a
-much needed wing of the institution.
-
-Then, having done so, he added to his secretary, a rather smug looking
-man in black:
-
-"And you might also write a paragraph to-day, Stone, and send it to the
-Press Association.  You know what to say--`magnificent gift,' and all
-that sort of thing.  They'll send it out to the newspapers."
-
-"Yes, Sir Felix," answered the man, making a note in shorthand.
-
-"Let's see, what else is there?  Ah!  The Malms Syndicate!  Write saying
-that I withdraw," he remarked.
-
-His secretary hesitated.
-
-"But that, Sir Felix, means ruin to all three.  They are all poor men."
-
-"That's just what I intend," he answered with a smile.  "We shall do
-that business ourselves, as soon as they are out of it."
-
-So Mr Stone scribbled rapidly a letter in shorthand, which meant the
-ruin of three honest men, who, believing in the great financier's
-promises, had taken upon themselves liabilities which they could not
-meet.
-
-Such letters are not infrequent.  The great philanthropist, whom the
-world looked up to as a model man, who did his utmost for the benefit of
-suffering humanity, and who had been rewarded by his Sovereign,
-collected his wealth by ways that would often not bear investigation.
-But being a big man, he was able to do things which a little man would
-fear to do.  For were not Challas and Bowen, with their huge operations
-and big bank balances, above suspicion?
-
-While dictating another letter, the butler, an elderly and pompous
-person, entered announcing: "Mr Jannaway, Sir Felix."
-
-"That will be enough for to-day, Stone," the red-faced man said to the
-secretary, who rose at once, and followed the servant out of the room.
-
-Next moment the man who had posed on the previous evening as "Captain
-Wetherton" entered the room, looking smart and spruce in a well-cut suit
-of blue serge.
-
-"Well, Jim?" exclaimed the financier anxiously, as he rose to meet his
-visitor.  "I've been expecting you all the morning.  What news--eh?"
-
-"Oh!  It's all right," answered the man cheerily, flinging himself into
-an armchair without invitation, apparently quite at home in Challas's
-house.
-
-"Found out anything of interest?" inquired Sir Felix, pushing over the
-big silver cigar-box that stood upon the smoking-table.
-
-"Well--I hardly know," he answered hesitatingly.  "Where's the girl?"
-
-"In Charlie's rooms.  I've had a devil of a scene with her.  She's
-obdurate."
-
-"A day's confinement there will break her spirit, no doubt," remarked
-Sir Felix.  "Especially if she believes she'll lose her lover."
-
-"I don't know," he answered dubiously.  "She's got a mind of her own, I
-can tell you.  She's a regular little spit-fire."
-
-The red-faced man laughed.
-
-"Well, Jim," he said.  "You ought to know how to manage women, surely.
-Did my scheme work well?"
-
-"Excellently.  She got your `wire,' and went to Earl's Court at once.  I
-followed and after a little persuasion she fell into the trap.  While
-she was unconscious, I took the latch-key, and at half-past two let
-myself and old Erich into the house in Pembridge Gardens."
-
-"Well--did he find anything?"
-
-"Yes.  Griffin has taken photographic copies of the burnt papers, before
-giving them back into Farquhar's hands, and from his copies of various
-early manuscripts of Ezekiel and Deuteronomy it's quite plain that he is
-making a very careful and complete study."
-
-"It seems, then, that Griffin's intention, is to discover the cipher for
-himself, and leave the ugly little Doctor out in the cold," Sir Felix
-remarked with a snap.  "But, Jim, this business is ours and nobody
-else's.  We must crush anybody and everybody, who attempts in any way to
-decipher that secret record.  When the Dane brought it to me at the
-Ritz, in Paris, I laughed at the idea.  Treasure-hunting was never in my
-line.  But," he added with a smile, "I took care to have a complete copy
-of his precious document made before I gave it back to him the next
-morning, and it is now in the safe over yonder.  Like to see it?"
-
-Jim Jannaway, the man who had on the previous night represented himself
-to be "Captain Wetherton," the friend of Frank Farquhar, expressed
-eagerness to see it.  Therefore the financier rose, and with the gold
-master-key upon his watch-chain, opened the heavy steel door, and handed
-his visitor a typed document bound in a dark green cover--a complete
-copy of the manuscript which Doctor Diamond had partly burned in that
-obscure hotel at the Gare du Nord.
-
-The context of the half intelligible sentences was there--the context
-which Professor Griffin was longing to obtain.  And moreover, as the man
-turned over the pages, reading swiftly, he came across a geometrical
-figure--a plan marked with numbers and corresponding explanations.
-
-"Who made the discovery?" asked Jim Jannaway, late of His Majesty's Army
-and now gambler, card-sharper, and swell-mobsman.
-
-"The devil only knows," laughed Sir Felix.  "He says he did himself.
-The fellow was hard up and I gave him a hundred francs, but I believed
-the whole thing to be a huge hoax, until I consulted old Erich and he
-began to puzzle his brains.  Then I saw that there might be something in
-it.  My only fear is that Griffin and his friends may get ahead of us.
-But you've done well, Jim.  You always do."
-
-"I do the dirty work of the firm," laughed the man addressed, removing
-his cigar from his lips, "and devilish dirty work it is at times."
-
-"Well, you can't complain of the pay.  Isn't it better to live as you
-are, a gentleman of means, than as I found you five years ago, a `crook'
-who might be arrested at any moment?"
-
-"I don't complain at all, my dear fellow.  Only--"
-
-"Only what?"
-
-"Well, I really don't see your object in enticing the girl to Charlie's
-rooms.  It might be awkward for us."
-
-Sir Felix laughed, snapping his fingers.
-
-"What?  Are you growing afraid?" he asked.
-
-"Not at all, only I can't see your object."
-
-"The object is simply to compromise her," he said grimly.  "She's a
-confounded pretty girl.  I saw her at the theatre with her aunt a week
-ago, and she was at Lady Ena's wedding the other day, with her lover,
-Frank Farquhar.  Of that man we must be wary.  With his confounded
-newspapers, he has power," he added.
-
-"That's the very reason why I fear we are treading on dangerous ground."
-
-"Bosh! leave all to me.  The girl is in Charlie's rooms, there let her
-stay for the present," answered the man whom the world believed to be a
-pillar of the church, and a devout philanthropist.
-
-Jim Jannaway saw that this man whom he served--the man who held him in
-his toils--had some mysterious evil design upon the unfortunate girl.
-He could not, however, discern exactly what it was.  He had ordered him
-to keep her in that upstairs room, "and break her spirit," as he put it.
-
-The midnight search of the Professor's study had revealed that he was in
-active pursuit of the truth.  That meant Sir Felix taking steps to
-checkmate his efforts.  Ever since the first moment it had been known by
-a chance visit to the hotel while Jules Blanc was lying there dead, that
-the fragments of the strange document had fallen into Doctor Diamond's
-hands, private inquiry agents, employed by Sir Felix, had been silently
-watching the movements of the deformed Doctor, Frank Farquhar, and his
-friend, the Professor.  All had been reported to the red-faced man
-sitting there at his ease--the man who controlled financial interests
-worth millions.
-
-Sir Felix had been convinced by the foreign expert he had consulted that
-there really was something in the theory of the unknown discovery, and
-he intended that none should learn the truth except himself.  He had Jim
-Jannaway, the unscrupulous, at his elbow, ready to do any dirty work, or
-make any risky move which he ordered.  In a day Jim could, if he wished,
-summon up half a dozen of the most dangerous characters in London, pals
-of his, to assist him, for be it said he always paid well--with Sir
-Felix's money, of course.
-
-Against such a combination as Challas and Bowen, though Mr Thomas J.
-Bowen lived in New York and was seldom in London, no private person
-could stand.  The great firm, with their agents all over the world,
-gathered confidential information from everywhere, and could plot to
-crush any one who attempted to carry through a business that was against
-their interests.
-
-Hence any attempt on the part of Doctor Diamond, or Professor Griffin,
-to solve the problem in face of the opposition of Sir Felix, was
-foredoomed to failure, if not to disaster.  But alas! both men were in
-ignorance of the fact that a complete copy of the dead man's document
-was in the possession of the man whose hatred of the Jews, his enemies
-in business, was notorious; and who would therefore go to any length in
-order to secure, for his own satisfaction, the sacred relics and vessels
-of Solomon's Temple--providing they still existed.
-
-CHAPTER SIXTEEN.
-
-OWEN LEARNS THE TRUTH.
-
-When the Professor seated himself at the breakfast-table and the news of
-Miss Gwen's absence was broken to him by Laura, the parlour-maid, he
-started up in surprise.
-
-"Miss Gwen went out late last night instead of going to bed, sir, and
-took the latch-key," the girl was compelled to admit.
-
-The old man pursed his thin lips.  His daughter was not in the habit of
-going out on midnight escapades.
-
-"Late last night Miss Gwen received a telegram, sir," the girl added.
-"It seemed to excite her very much; she dressed at once, and went out."
-
-The Professor rose from the table without eating, and went to the study
-to think.
-
-Upon the blotting-pad lay a sheet of ruled manuscript paper.  He stared
-at it in horror as though he saw an apparition, for there upon the
-paper, scrawled boldly in blue chalk, were the mystic figures:
-
-255.19.7
-
-They danced before his eyes, as he stood staring at them.  How came they
-there, in his own study?  What could they mean?
-
-He looked around bewildered.  Nothing was out of place--nothing
-disturbed.  Those puzzling figures had been written there by some unseen
-hand.
-
-During his wakeful hours that long night he had applied Hebrew letters
-of those numerical values to the array of figures.  But the result was
-chaotic.  It was some mystic sign.  But what, he could not determine.
-
-He had found them on that scrap of paper cast aside at the Bodleian
-Library, and now again they appeared in the privacy of his own study, to
-puzzle and confound him.
-
-Through the next hour he waited, from moment to moment, in the
-expectation of a telegram from Gwen explaining her absence and assuring
-him of her safety.  But, alas! none came.  Therefore, he put on his
-boots and overcoat and went round to the police-station, where the
-inspector on duty received him most courteously, and took a minute
-description of the missing young lady, a statement which, half an hour
-later, had been received over the telegraph at every police-station
-throughout the Metropolitan area.
-
-He had taken the precaution to place one of Gwen's photographs in his
-pocket, and this he handed to the inspector.
-
-"Well do our very best, Professor, of course," the officer assured him.
-"But young ladies are often very erratic, you know.  We have hundreds of
-girls reported missing, but they usually turn up again the next day, or
-a couple of days later.  Their absence is nearly always voluntary, and
-usually attributable to the one cause, love!"
-
-"But my daughter's lover is in Denmark," the Professor protested.
-
-"That is what you have been led to believe," remarked the inspector with
-an incredulous smile.  "Girls are very cunning, I have two myself, sir."
-
-"But you will help me, will you not?" urged the old gentleman earnestly.
-
-"No effort shall be spared to discover your daughter, sir," answered the
-rosy, clean-shaven man seated at his desk.  "I'll report the matter to
-our superintendent at once.  Do you," he added, "happen to know what
-dress she was wearing?  I will want a close description of it, also the
-laundry mark on her underlinen.  Your servants will, no doubt, be able
-to supply the latter.  Perhaps I'd better step round with you and see
-them."
-
-So the inspector at once accompanied the Professor back to Pembridge
-Gardens, and there was shown some of the girl's clothes with the laundry
-mark upon them.  Afterwards he left, leaving the old man in the highest
-state of apprehension.
-
-He put aside all thought of the inquiry upon which he had been engaged.
-His sole thought was for the safety of his child.
-
-Meanwhile Jim Jannaway and Sir Felix Challas were still in deep
-consultation in the privacy of that quiet, sombre study in Berkeley
-Square.
-
-"Erich left for Paris by the nine o'clock service this morning," Jim was
-saying.  "He wants to consult some early manuscript in the National
-Library, he says."
-
-"He's a decidedly clever old fossil," declared the Baronet, knocking the
-ash off his cigar, "and I'm convinced he's on the right track.  If we
-can only keep these other people off, mislead them, or put them on a
-false scent, we shall win."
-
-"Erich has done that already," laughed the other.  "He's been down to
-Oxford and pretended to study certain manuscripts, knowing well that
-Griffin's researches must lead him there.  By putting Griffin on a false
-scent he's simply tangling him up.  Oh! yes, I agree, Erich Haupt is a
-wary old bird."
-
-"Then he is now making investigations in various quarters with the sole
-object of misleading Griffin, eh?" laughed Sir Felix.  "Really, it's
-quite comical."
-
-"Yes, and he lets drop just sufficient information to excite the
-curiosity of the officiate of the various libraries and place them on
-the _qui vive_.  He does that, so that they shall inform Griffin."
-
-"Excellent!" declared the Baronet.  "As soon as he returns from Paris I
-must see him.  I wonder if the secret record really does exist?  If it
-does, then, by Jove!  I'll hold the key to the whole Jewish religion.
-But one thing is quite evident, my dear Jim, we must crush out all this
-opposition with a firm, relentless hand.  You understand?"
-
-"I quite follow," remarked the great financier's unscrupulous
-"cat's-paw."
-
-And they continued the discussion of the present rather insecure
-situation.
-
-Sir Felix Challas wore his mask with marvellous cleverness.  The world--
-the people who read of him in the newspapers--never suspected that the
-man whose name so often headed subscription lists for charitable
-objects, and whose handsome donation was the signal for a hundred
-others, was an unscrupulous schemer.  His had been the hand that, by
-clever financial juggling in which some other person was always the
-principal, had brought ruin to thousands of happy homes.  He had,
-indeed, if the truth were told, climbed to the pedestal of notoriety and
-esteem, over the bodies of the men, both capitalists and workmen, he
-had, with such innate cunning, contrived to ruin.
-
-The strange story told by that shabby Dane as he sat in the gorgeous
-room of the Grand Hotel in Paris, had attracted him from the very first.
-Here was a chance of getting the better of his natural enemies, the
-Jews.  Ah! how he hated them!  Yes.  He would search, and if he found
-any of those sacred relics, his intention was to laugh in the face of
-the whole Hebrew community and hold the discovery up to the derision of
-the Christians.
-
-What mattered it to him that the Dane had died in penury in that obscure
-hotel near the Gare du Nord?  His secret agent, who had watched the poor
-fellow from the moment he left the Grand Hotel, had informed Sir Felix
-of the man's tragic end, but he had only smiled with evident
-satisfaction.  The agent had ascertained that the present document had
-not been found among the dead man's possessions, hence the Baronet
-believed that the man, before his death, had destroyed it.  It was a
-blow to him when he discovered that certain fragments of it had been
-carefully preserved by Doctor Diamond.  It meant that opposition had
-arisen--a very serious opposition which he must forcibly crush down.
-
-"Charlie returns from Brussels to-day, doesn't he?" the Baronet was
-asking.
-
-"Yes.  He ought to be back in his rooms by now.  And he'll find the girl
-there.  I've left him definite instructions how to act."
-
-"The girl must be sworn to silence," Sir Felix said with heavy brow.
-"She must assist us.  We must compel her."
-
-Jim Jannaway nodded.  From instructions given by the man before him his
-eyes had already been opened, and ten minutes later he left the house,
-the Baronet's last words being:
-
-"Remember, Jim, there's millions in this business.  We mustn't lose it
-for the sake of that chit of a girl, however innocent and pretty she may
-be.  Understand that!"
-
-An hour previously Gwen Griffin, struggling slowly back to
-consciousness, found that, straight before her, was a square window over
-which was drawn a smoke-blackened, brown holland blind.  The gas was
-still burning, although the grey wintry day had dawned some hours ago.
-
-She was lying upon the bed in a fairly big room, still dressed, but with
-her clothes torn, as they had been in the desperate struggle of the
-previous night.  Slowly and painfully she rose, and as she slipped off
-the bed she felt her limbs so weak and trembling that she could scarcely
-stand.
-
-She caught sight of her dishevelled self in the long mirror of the
-wardrobe, and her own reflection startled her.  All the horrors of that
-struggle crowded upon her.  She put up her hands and pushed her thick
-dark hair from her white fevered brow.
-
-"Where am I?" she cried aloud.  "What will dad think?"
-
-She staggered to the door, but found it locked and bolted from the
-outside.  Then she went to the window and pulling aside the blind judged
-by the light that it must be about eleven o'clock in the morning.  She
-tried to open the window but the sashes had been screwed together.  The
-outlook was upon a blank wall.
-
-Before the glass she rearranged her disordered dress, and sinking upon
-the side of the bed tried to recollect all that had occurred.  But her
-head throbbed, her throat burned, and all the past seemed uncertain and
-indistinct.
-
-The only fact which stood out clear in her mind as she sat there, inert
-and helpless, was the bitter truth which the man had spoken.  The
-scoundrel who had represented himself to be "Captain Wetherton," the
-friend of her lover, had showed himself in his true colours.  He had
-brought her there for one dastardly purpose alone--to ruin her in
-Frank's esteem.
-
-She wondered what had really occurred--and while wondering, and
-dreading, she burst into a flood of bitter tears.
-
-At one moment she made up her mind to batter down the door, or smash the
-window.  But if she did that, she would, she feared, bring forth that
-man now so hateful to her.
-
-She detested him.  No.  Rather would she starve and die there than ever
-look upon his blackguardly face again.  The fellow was a coward, a vile
-scoundrel who had taken advantage of her eagerness to meet her lover,
-and had matched his brute strength against hers.
-
-What should she do?  How could she ever face Frank again?
-
-She must have been carried there and placed upon that bed.  She must,
-too, have lain for fully twelve hours in blank unconsciousness.
-
-What had she done, she wondered, that this shameful trick should be
-played upon her?  Alas! she had read accounts in the newspapers of how
-young girls had been decoyed and betrayed in our great world of London.
-Ah! it was no new thing she knew.  Yet how long, she asked herself, was
-her imprisonment to continue?  How long before she would be able at
-least to reassure her father of her safety?
-
-For a full hour she sat in bitter tears, alone, disconsolate, and full
-of grave apprehension, until of a sudden she heard a footstep outside
-the door.
-
-She held her breath.  Horror!  It was that man again.
-
-The bolts were withdrawn, the door opened, and on the threshold stood a
-man, much taller, thinner and slightly older than the false "Captain
-Wetherton," a pale-faced man she had never seen before.
-
-"Hullo!" he asked, looking her straight in the face.  "How are you this
-morning, my dear?  You haven't had any breakfast, I suppose?"
-
-"I want none, sir," was her haughty reply.  "I only wish to leave this
-place.  I was entrapped here last night."
-
-"Unfortunately, my dear girl, I know nothing about last night," replied
-the man.  "I returned from the Continent only this morning.  These
-happen to be my chambers, and I find they now contain a very charming
-tenant!"
-
-She looked at him with her big eyes.
-
-"I hope, sir, you do not intend to add further in suit to that which I
-have already received here," she said in a voice of bitter reproach,
-holding her torn silk blouse together with her hand.
-
-He noticed the state of her dress, and saw what a fierce struggle must
-have taken place between her and Jim Jannaway.
-
-"My dear girl," he said in a reassuring tone, "providing you are
-reasonable, and don't create a scene, my intention is to treat you with
-the deference due to every lady."
-
-"Is that your promise?" asked the girl in breathless eagerness.
-
-"It is my promise--but upon one condition," said the man in a slow
-voice.  And then she detected in his closely set eyes a strange look
-that she had not hitherto noticed.
-
-She asked him his condition, to which he replied in a few hard concise
-words, a smile playing upon his lips.
-
-But the instant she heard him she fell wildly at his feet, and taking
-his hand in her trembling grasp, begged of him to show her mercy.
-
-But the man only laughed--a laugh that was ominous in itself.
-
-CHAPTER SEVENTEEN.
-
-CONTAINS AN EXPERT THEORY.
-
-Frank Farquhar had been at the Hotel Angleterre in Copenhagen, the hotel
-with the prettiest winter-garden in Europe, for four days.
-
-They had been four days of constant activity.  As guide, he had the
-resident correspondent of the morning newspapers of which he was one of
-the directors, and he had already satisfied himself that, in the Danish
-capital, there was but one first-class Hebrew scholar, namely Professor
-Axel Anderson, of the Royal University.
-
-Copenhagen he found a bright pleasant little city full of life and
-movement, the shops gay and the streets thronged by well-dressed people.
-In ignorance of what had befallen Gwen, he was thoroughly enjoying
-himself, even though he saw that his visit could have no satisfactory
-result as far as the quest for the authorship of the mysterious document
-was concerned.
-
-One morning he had called by appointment upon Professor Anderson at his
-pleasant house in the Norrevoldgade and sat down to chat.  The
-Professor, a well-preserved, rather stout man of about forty-five, with
-a fair beard, spoke English quite well.
-
-"As far as I am aware," he said, "there are only two professors of
-Hebrew in Denmark beside myself.  They are close personal friends of
-mine, and I feel sure that neither of them entertains any unusual theory
-concerning the Book of Ezekiel, or they would have consulted me.  Of
-course, we have a good many scholars come to Copenhagen to study the
-Northern and Oriental codices in the Royal Library here.  Hence I have
-become acquainted with many of the chief professors of Hebrew.  Have you
-consulted Professor Griffin in London?  He is one of the first
-authorities upon the matter in which you are interested."
-
-"Yes, I happen to know him," responded the young man.
-
-"And what is his opinion?"
-
-"A negative one."
-
-"Ah!  Then most probably this typewritten manuscript you tell me about
-was some baseless theory of an irresponsible crank.  I would accept
-Griffin's opinion before that of anybody else.  There is only one other
-man of perhaps equal knowledge--old Erich Haupt, of Leipzig.  He is a
-great Hebrew authority, as well as a recognised expert in cryptography."
-
-"What is your opinion broadly upon the matter?"  Farquhar asked.
-
-"Well, candidly, I believe the theory to be without foundation,"
-answered the Danish scholar.  "I do not believe in the existence of a
-cipher in the Hebrew scriptures.  There is nothing cryptic about the
-sacred record.  As regards the vessels of gold and silver from Solomon's
-temple, they were restored by Cyrus.  It is true that an ancient
-Talmudic tradition exists to the effect that the Ark of the Covenant,
-together with the pot of manna, the flask of anointing oil and Aaron's
-staff that budded are still hidden beneath the temple mount at
-Jerusalem.  And my opinion is that your half-destroyed document is
-simply based upon this ancient tradition with which every Jew in
-Christendom is acquainted."
-
-"But, Professor," exclaimed the other, "I know that you yourself are an
-authority upon cryptography.  Have any ciphers been discovered in the
-original of the Book of Ezekiel?"
-
-"Well, yes," was the Dane's answer as he stirred himself in his
-armchair, and reaching his hand to a bookcase took down a Hebrew-Danish
-Bible.  Then turning to Ezekiel, he said: "There is certainly something
-in the Hebrew of the thirty-sixth chapter which has puzzled scholars
-through many centuries.  It begins at verse 16: `Moreover the word of
-the Lord came unto me saying, Son of man--' Now in the constant
-repetition of `Son of man' certain scholars declare they have discovered
-a numerical cipher.  In the first verse of this chapter we have, `Son of
-man, prophesy unto the mountains.'  In the third verse of the following
-one he asks: `Son of man, can these bones live?'  Again in verse 9 of
-the same chapter, he says: `Prophesy, son of man, and say to the wind.'
-And in verse 11, still addressing him by the same title, he tells the
-prophet: `Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel.'  By
-the title `Son of man' Ezekiel is so often addressed, `Son of man' is so
-constantly sounded in his ears and ours, that it forces on our attention
-that God deals with man through the instrumentality of men, and by men
-communicates his will to men.  Hence certain cryptographers have set to
-work and formed the theory of a hidden meaning in all this."
-
-"But is the actual cipher known?" asked Frank, at once excited.
-
-"Certainly.  It was deciphered by Bamberg, of Paris, forty years ago.
-But the secret message had no bearing whatsoever upon the lost vessels
-of Solomon's temple," was the Professor's reply.
-
-"What was the message?" inquired the young Englishman.
-
-"Well--the alleged message which Bamberg deciphered commenced in the
-thirty-sixth chapter beginning at verse xvi.  The passage has peculiar
-claims upon the attention of any one searching for cryptic writings.
-Addressed in the first instance to the Jews, and applicable, in the
-first instance, to their condition, it presents a remarkable summary of
-gospel doctrines, and that in a form approaching at least to systematic
-order.  In the seventeenth verse we have man sinning: `Son of man, when
-the house of Israel dwelt in their own land, they defiled it by their
-own way and by their doings.'  In the eighteenth verse we have man
-suffering: `Wherefore, I poured my fury upon them.'  In the twenty-first
-verse man appears an object of mercy: `but I had pity.'  In the
-twenty-second verse man is an object of free mercy--mercy without merit:
-`I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel.'  In the twenty-fourth
-verse man's salvation is resolved on: `I will bring you into your own
-land.'  In the twenty-fifth verse man is justified: `Then will I
-sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean.'  In the
-twenty-sixth and twenty-seventh verses man is renewed and sanctified: `A
-new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you;
-and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh and I will give
-you an heart of flesh.  And I will put my spirit within you, and cause
-you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them.'
-In the twenty-eighth verse man is restored to the place and privileges
-which he forfeited by his sins: `Ye shall be my people, and I will be
-your God.'  `This land that was desolate is become like the garden of
-the Lord.'  We have our security for these blessings in the assurance of
-the thirty-sixth verse: `I, the Lord have spoken it, and I will do it;'
-and we are directed to the means of obtaining them in the declaration of
-the thirty-seventh verse: `I will yet for this be inquired of by the
-house of Israel, to do it for them.'"
-
-"And in these verses the French professor discovered a hidden message?"
-
-"Yes.  It read curiously, and was most difficult to decipher.  But
-according to Bamberg it was an additional declaration of God's kindness
-to man.  God was named as `the God of Salvation,' and `the author and
-finisher of man's faith.'  It consisted briefly in an exhortation to
-those who discovered the cipher to read, and to believe.  But as for the
-hiding-place of the treasure of Israel being therein designated--well,
-even Bamberg, whom half the scholars of Europe denounced as a crank, had
-never dreamed of such a thing.  No, Mr Farquhar," he added, "you may
-rest assured that the remarkable screed never emanated from a Hebrew
-scholar in Denmark.  Perhaps it might have come from Gothenburg," he
-laughed; "more than one hare-brained theory has come from over there!"
-Anderson was a Dane, and the Danes have no love for the Swedes.
-
-"You mentioned some one in Leipzig.  Who is he?" asked Farquhar.
-
-"Oh!  Haupt--Erich Haupt," replied the other.  "He's Professor of Hebrew
-at the University, and author of several well-known books.  His
-`Christology of the Old Testament' is a standard work.  Besides Griffin
-in London, he is, I consider, the only other man in Europe competent to
-give an opinion upon the problem you have put before me."
-
-"How can I find him?"
-
-"You'll no doubt find him in Leipzig."
-
-Frank felt that this German was a man to be consulted, yet he was
-anxious to pursue the inquiry he had started in Denmark.  The man who
-had died in Paris, and had been so careful to destroy his secret, had
-been a Dane, and he felt that the originator of the remarkable theory
-must have been a Dane himself.  Briefly this was what Farquhar
-explained, but Professor Anderson assured him that no such theory could
-have come out of Denmark without his knowledge.
-
-"Search in Gothenburg, or in Stockholm, if you like," he answered with a
-smile.  "My own idea is that the unfortunate man was deceived by some
-`cock-and-bull' story, probably an attempt to raise money in order to
-carry out a scheme to recover the treasure of Solomon.  He believed the
-story of the existence of the temple treasure, and in order that no
-other person should obtain knowledge of the secret destroyed it before
-his death."
-
-"But who was the discoverer of the secret?" asked the Englishman.
-
-"Who can tell," remarked the Danish professor, shrugging his shoulders.
-"Perhaps it was only some ingenious financial swindle.  You have surely
-had many such in London in recent years.  You call them in English, I
-believe, `wild-cat' schemes."
-
-"There are many `wild-cat' schemes in the City of London at the present
-moment," Frank remarked with a laugh, "but I guarantee that none is so
-extraordinary as this."
-
-"Probably not," laughed the Dane.  "I confess that, to me, the whole
-thing seems like a fairy tale."
-
-"Then you don't discern any foundation in fact?"
-
-"Only of tradition--the Old Testament tradition that the treasures are
-still hidden in the temple mount.  Yet, in opposition to this, we have
-another tradition to the effect that the vessels of Solomon's temple
-were used in Persia four hundred years after the captivity.  Mention is
-made of this in a Persian manuscript preserved in your British Museum in
-London.  I forget the number, but it can easily be looked up in the
-catalogue of Oriental manuscripts."
-
-"You believe that statement authentic?"
-
-"As authentic as any statement in the ancient records," was his reply.
-"But I would suggest that you consult Haupt.  He knows more of Hebrew
-cryptograms and ciphers than any one else on the Continent of Europe.
-What does Professor Griffin think?"
-
-"He's inclined to treat the whole theory with levity."
-
-Professor Anderson smiled.
-
-"Of course," he said.  "Supposed ciphers in certain books of the Old
-Testament are many.  And as you know quite well, a cipher may be
-invented to fit any message or record desired.  Your Baconian theory in
-regard to Shakespeare was sufficient proof of that."
-
-"Then in your opinion no real cipher exists in the Book of Ezekiel?"
-asked the Englishman.
-
-"The Bible was inspired," was his reply.  "If so, there is no cipher in
-it except what cryptographers invent."
-
-Frank Farquhar was silent.  His inquiries in the Danish capital had
-nearly carried him into a _cul-de-sac_.
-
-The dead man was, according to his own story, a Dane.  But what more
-natural than that he had received the extraordinary manuscript from
-Germany, or from Sweden?
-
-"To me," remarked the Professor, "the situation of the man who died in
-Paris was this.  Either he himself was the inventor of the whole story
-or else he had paid something for it and was trying to dispose of it to
-some financier or other."
-
-"Doctor Diamond, my friend who attended him before his death, says that
-the man was evidently a scholar."
-
-"Then possibly he was the inventor," remarked Anderson decisively.  "But
-if he was a scholar he was certainly unknown to us.  Therefore we may be
-permitted to doubt his _bona-fides_.  My advice to you is to find
-Haupt."
-
-"Yes, Professor," answered the young man, "I will."
-
-And an hour later he sent a long telegram to the Doctor at Horsford,
-while that same afternoon he received a brief telegraphic message from
-Professor Griffin, asking him to return to London at once.
-
-His belief was that the great expert had found some clue, and he left
-that same evening direct for London, by way of Kiel, Hamburg and
-Flushing.
-
-CHAPTER EIGHTEEN.
-
-SHOWS THE ENEMY'S TACTICS.
-
-The tall, thin man into whose chambers Gwen Griffin had been enticed
-treated the trembling girl with a certain amount of politeness.  Her
-head reeled.  She hardly knew where she was, or what had occurred.
-
-The stipulation he had made, at the instructions left by Jim Jannaway,
-was that she must remain there in order to meet some person who was
-desirous of making her acquaintance.  He did not say who this person
-was, but she, on her part, had a dozen times begged him to release her,
-or at least to telegraph to her father assuring him of her safety.
-
-"My dear girl," the tall man had answered, "don't distress yourself.
-Come, do calm yourself."  And he assisted to raise her to her feet
-again.  "No harm will befall you, I assure you."
-
-"I--I don't know you, sir," she faltered through her tears, "therefore
-how can I possibly trust you?"
-
-"I can only assure you that I am acting upon instructions.  As far as
-I'm concerned, you might walk out free--only I dare not disobey my
-orders."
-
-"You dare not--and you a man!" she cried.
-
-"There are some things that a man such as myself dare not do, miss--
-pardon me, but I haven't the pleasure of knowing your name."
-
-"Griffin--Gwen Griffin is my name," and she also told him where she
-lived.  Then she asked: "Why have I been brought here?"
-
-"I haven't the slightest idea," was the stranger's reply.  "These are my
-chambers, and a friend of mine has had the key during my three years'
-absence abroad.  I returned only this morning to find you locked up in
-here and a note left for me, giving me instructions to keep you here
-until a gentleman calls to see you."
-
-"Ah! that horrid blackguard!" she screamed.  "That man who met me, and
-called himself `Captain Wetherton.'  He told me I should find Frank in
-hiding here."
-
-"And who's Frank?" asked the stranger.
-
-"The man to whom I'm engaged."
-
-"H'm," grunted the other; "and he wouldn't be very pleased to find you
-here, with me, would he?"
-
-"No.  That is why I've been entrapped herein order to compromise me in
-the eyes of the man who loves me."
-
-"Why?" asked the owner of those bachelor chambers, leaning upon the
-bed-rail and looking at her.
-
-"How can I tell?" said the frightened girl.  "As far as I know, I've
-done nothing whatever to warrant this."
-
-"Ah! in this world it is the innocent who mostly suffer," he remarked.
-
-"But will you not allow me to go?" she implored eagerly.  "Remember that
-all my future happiness depends upon your generosity in this matter."
-
-"My dear child," he replied, placing his hand upon her shoulder, "if I
-dare, I would.  But to tell you the truth, I, like yourself, am in the
-hands of certain persons who are utterly unscrupulous.  I tell you,
-quite frankly, that I couldn't afford to excite their animosity by
-disobeying these orders I have received."
-
-"But who is this gentleman who desires to see me?" she demanded quickly.
-
-"I don't know.  No name is given."
-
-"Why--for what reason does he wish to see me?  Could he not have called
-at Pembridge Gardens, or even written making a secret appointment in
-Kensington Gardens or in the Park?"
-
-"To that I am quite unable to give any reply, for I'm in ignorance like
-yourself."
-
-"But is it that brutal fellow who threw me down and tore my clothes last
-night?" she asked.  "Look!" and she showed her torn blouse.
-
-"I think not," was his response.  "But those rents look a bit ugly,
-don't they," he added.  "Come through into the sitting-room, and see if
-we can't find a needle and cotton.  I used to keep a travelling
-housewife, full of all sorts of buttons and needles and things."
-
-So the pair passed along the short, narrow passage of the flat into the
-sitting-room which she so vividly recollected the night before.  Before
-her was the couch upon which the man who had called himself "Wetherton"
-had flung her fainting and insensible.
-
-After a brief search in the drawers of an old oak bureau, over in the
-corner, the stranger produced a small roll of khaki, in the pockets of
-which were all sorts of cottons, buttons, needles and odds and ends, the
-requisites of a travelling bachelor.
-
-She laughed as she selected a needle and a reel of cotton, and then
-retired into the bedroom where, for a full quarter of an hour, she sat
-alone mending her torn garments.
-
-The man remained in the sitting-room, staring out of the window into the
-street below, damp and gloomy on that winter's morning.
-
-"A fine home-coming indeed!" he muttered to himself.  "They've put a
-nice thing upon me--abduct a girl, and then leave her in my charge!
-Jim's afraid of being connected with the affair, that's evident.  I
-wonder who she is, and why they want her?  Devilish pretty, and no
-mistake.  It really seems a blackguardly shame to treat her badly, and
-wreck her young life, as they no doubt intend.  By Gad!  Jim and his
-friends are cruel as the grave.  Poor little thing!"  And he sighed and,
-crossing the room, applied a match to the fire that had already been
-laid.
-
-"Yes," he remarked under his breath.  "A fine home-coming.  The devils
-hold me in the hollow of their hands, alas!  But if they dare to give me
-away, by Jove!  I wouldn't spare one of them.  These last two years I've
-tried to live honestly, and nearly starved in doing so.  And now they
-bring me back by force--back to the old life, because they want my
-assistance.  And if I refuse?  Then--well, I suppose they'll compel me
-to act according to their instructions.  Here is a specimen of the dirty
-work in progress.  I'm holding a poor innocent girl a prisoner on their
-behalf!  I'd let her go now--this very moment, but if I did--if I did--
-what then?  I'd be given away to the police in half an hour.  No.  I
-can't afford that--by God, I can't.  She must stay here."
-
-Presently Gwen emerged from the bedroom with her blouse repaired, and he
-induced her to seat herself reluctantly in the armchair before the fire.
-
-He lit a cigarette and, taking another chair, endeavoured to reassure
-her that she need have no fear of him.
-
-Then they commenced to chat, he endeavouring to learn something from her
-which might give him an idea of the reason why she had been enticed
-there.  But with a woman's clever evasion, she would tell him nothing.
-
-He inquired about her lover, but she was silent regarding him.  She only
-said:
-
-"He is abroad just now.  And they are evidently aware of his absence.
-The telegram I received was worded most cleverly.  I unfortunately fell
-a victim to their vile conspiracy."
-
-"Is it a plot to prevent you marrying him, do you think?"
-
-"It must be.  It can be nothing else," declared the girl quickly.  "Oh,
-when will he return--when will I be able to see him again?"
-
-The tall man shrugged his shoulders.  He saw that she was desperate and
-might make a rush to escape, therefore, though he begged her pardon he
-kept the doors locked and the keys in his pocket.
-
-Before his arrival, it seemed, Jim Jannaway had placed provisions in the
-small larder in the kitchen, for there they found bread, tinned tongues,
-bottled beer, tea, condensed milk and other things.  Hence he had no
-necessity to go forth to obtain food.
-
-This struck him that an imprisonment of several days must be intended.
-He felt sorry for the unfortunate girl, yet he dare not connive at her
-escape.  He knew, alas! that he was now upon very dangerous ground.
-
-The whole day they sat together gossiping.  For luncheon they had cold
-tongue and bread, and for dinner the same.
-
-The situation was indeed a curious one, yet as the hours went by and he
-attempted to amuse her by relating humorous incidents in his own
-adventurous life, she gradually grew to believe that he was devoid of
-any sinister intention.
-
-Times without number she tried to persuade him to release her, but he
-explained his inability.  Then, at evening, they sat at the fireside and
-while he smoked she chattered, though she told him practically nothing
-concerning herself.
-
-He could not help admiring her neat daintiness and her self-possession.
-She was a frank, sweet-faced girl, scarce more than a child, whose
-wonderful eyes held even him, an adventurer, in strange fascination.
-And that night, when she retired to her room, he handed her the key of
-her door that she might lock herself in, and said:
-
-"Sleep in peace, Miss Griffin.  I give you my promise that you shall not
-be disturbed."
-
-And he bowed to her with all the courtesy of a true-born gentleman.
-
-He sat smoking, thinking deeply and wondering why the girl had been
-confined there.  He was annoyed, for by her presence there he also was
-held a prisoner.
-
-Just before midnight the bell of the front door rang, and a
-commissionaire handed him a telegram.  The message was in an
-unintelligible code, which however, he read without hesitation.  Then he
-tossed the message into the fire with an imprecation, switched off the
-light, and went to bed.
-
-Next day passed just as the first, but he saw, by the girl's pale face
-and darkening eyes, that the constant anxiety was telling upon her.
-Yes, he pitied her.  And she, on her part, began to regard him more as
-her protector than as her janitor.
-
-He treated her with the greatest consideration and courtesy.  And as
-they sat together at their meals, she presiding, they often burst out
-laughing at the incongruity of the situation.  More than once she
-inquired his name, but he always laughingly evaded her.
-
-"My name really doesn't matter," he said.  "You will only remember me
-with hatred, Miss Griffin."
-
-"Though you are holding me here against my will," she replied, "yet of
-your conduct towards me I have nothing to complain."
-
-He only bowed in graceful acknowledgment.  No word passed his lips.
-
-On the third morning, about noon, a ring came, and Gwen, startled, flew
-into her bedroom and locked the door.
-
-The visitor was none other than Sir Felix Challas, who, grasping the
-tall man's hand, said:
-
-"Welcome back, my dear Charlie.  I'm sorry I couldn't come before, but I
-was called over to Paris on very important business."  Then lowering his
-voice he said: "Got the girl here still--eh?"
-
-The other nodded.
-
-"I want to put a few questions to her," Sir Felix said in an undertone,
-when they were together in the sitting-room, "and if she don't answer me
-truly, then by Heaven it will be the worse for her.  You remember the
-girl of that German inventor, three years ago--eh?" he asked with a
-meaning smile.
-
-The tall man nodded.  He recollected that poor girl's fate because she
-had refused to betray her father's secret to the great financier.
-
-And this man whom the world so firmly believed to be a God-fearing
-philanthropist intended that pretty Gwen Griffin, sweet, innocent and
-inoffensive, little more than a child, should meet with the same awful
-fate.  He held his breath.  He could have struck the man before him--if
-he dared.
-
-He must blindly do the bidding of this cruel, heartless man who held him
-so entirely in his power, this gigantic schemer whose "cat's-paw" he had
-been for years.
-
-And he must stand helplessly by, unable to raise a hand to save that
-poor defenceless victim of a powerful man's passion and avarice.
-
-Alas! that the great god gold must ever be all-powerful in man's world,
-and women must ever pay the price.
-
-CHAPTER NINETEEN.
-
-IS ABOUT THE DOCTOR.
-
-Doctor Diamond, in his long Wellington boots and overcoat, was
-descending the steep hill into Horsford village one gloomy afternoon
-with Aggie at his side.
-
-It had been raining, and the pair had been across the meadows to
-Overton, a small hamlet where, from a farmhouse, they obtained their
-weekly supply of butter.  This, the fair-haired child, her clean white
-pinafore appearing below her navy-blue coat, carried in a small basket
-upon her arm.  She had been dancing along merrily at the little man's
-side, delighted to be out with him for a walk, when, as they came over
-the brow of the hill, they saw a man in a long drab mackintosh ascending
-in their direction.
-
-The man raised his hand to them, but at first Diamond did not recognise
-him.  Then, as they drew nearer, he said:
-
-"Why--who'd ever have thought it!  Here's your father, Aggie!"
-
-"Father!" echoed the girl, staring at the man approaching.  "No, dad,
-surely that isn't my father!  You're my own father."  And the child,
-with her fair hair falling upon her shoulders, clung affectionately to
-his arm.
-
-In a few moments the two men met.
-
-"Hulloa, Doc!" cheerily cried the man known to his intimates as "Red
-Mullet".  "Thought I'd give you a bit of a surprise.  And little Aggie,
-too!  My hat! what a big girl she grows!  Why, my darling," he
-exclaimed, bending and kissing her, "I'd never have recognised you--
-never in all my life!"
-
-Her father's bristly red moustache brushed the child's face, and she
-withdrew bashfully.
-
-"Ah! my pet," cried the tall, gaunt man, "I suppose you hardly knew me--
-eh?  You were quite a little dot when I was here last.  But though your
-dad travels a lot, and is always on the move, yet he's ever thinking of
-you."  He sighed.  "See here!"  And diving his hand into his
-breast-pocket, he took out a well-worn leather wallet which contained a
-photograph.  "That is what your other dad sent to me last year!  Your
-picture, little one."
-
-The child exchanged glances with the Doctor, still clinging to his arm.
-To her, Doctor Diamond was her father.  She loved him, for he was always
-kind to her and always interested in her childish pleasure.  True the
-payments made by "Red Mullet" were irregular and far between, but the
-ugly little man had formed a great attachment for the child, and when
-not at the village school she was usually in his company.
-
-"Your wife told me the direction from which you would come, so I thought
-I'd just take a stroll and meet you," the tall fellow said.  "Horsford
-does not seem to change a little bit."
-
-"It hasn't changed, they say, for the past two centuries," laughed the
-Doctor.  "We are quiet, steady-going folk here."  And as he spoke the
-sweet-toned chimes rang forth from the square grey Norman tower on their
-left, the tower to see which archaeologists so often came from far and
-near.
-
-"Well, well," exclaimed Mullet.  "I had no idea my little Aggie had
-grown to be such a fine big girl.  Very soon she'll be leaving school;
-she knows more about geography and grammar now than her dad does, that
-I'll be bound."
-
-"Mr Holmes, the schoolmaster, is loud in her praises," remarked the
-Doctor, whereat the girl blushed and smiled.
-
-"And how would you like to go back with me, and live in Paris--eh?"
-inquired the father.
-
-In a moment, however, the child clung closer to Diamond, and, burying
-her face upon his arm, burst into tears.
-
-"No, no, dear," declared the red-haired man.  "I didn't mean it.  Why, I
-was only joking!  Of course you shall stay here, and finish your
-education with the Doctor, who is so good and kind to you.  See--I've
-brought you something."
-
-And taking from his pocket a child's plain hoop bangle in gold, he
-placed it upon her slim wrist.  Aggie, with a child's pardonable vanity,
-stretched forth her arm and showed the Doctor the effect.  Then at the
-letter's suggestion, she raised her face and kissed her father for the
-present of the first piece of jewellery she had ever possessed in her
-life.
-
-They walked back together to the cottage, and after a homely cup of tea,
-"Red Mullet" sat with the Doctor in the cosy panelled dining-room, the
-fire burning brightly, and the red-shaded lamp upon the table.
-
-"I'm glad you're pleased at the appearance of little Aggie," remarked
-the Doctor between deep puffs of his pipe.  "She's quite a sweet child.
-Every one in the village loves her."
-
-"I wonder, Doctor, what they'd think if they knew she was my daughter--
-the daughter of `Red Mullet'--eh?" asked the red-haired man grimly.
-
-The Doctor pulled a wry face but did not reply.  Alas, he was well aware
-that Mr Mullet did not bear the best of reputations, and as a matter of
-fact he was wondering the reason why he now risked a sojourn on British
-soil.
-
-"But--I--er--is that door closed?" he asked of the ugly little man as he
-glanced suspiciously behind him.
-
-The Doctor rose and latched it.  Then he resumed his seat.
-
-"The fact is, I came down here to-day for two reasons--to see little
-Aggie and also to make some inquiries."
-
-"Inquiries!" echoed Diamond.  "What about?"
-
-"About something that concerns you," was "Red Mullet's" reply.  "About
-certain papers which belonged to a man named Blanc, who died in a little
-hotel opposite the Gare du Nord."
-
-"I--I don't understand you.  What do you mean?" asked Diamond, with a
-perceptible start.
-
-"Come, my dear Doc, you may just as well be frank and open with me.  You
-know the kind of man I am.  You've got hold of papers which don't belong
-to you--and well, all praise to you, I say, if they're worth anything.
-I don't see why you shouldn't deal with a dead man's property if he
-deliberately wished to destroy it."
-
-"How do you know all this, Mr Mullet?" asked the Doctor, his face pale
-and much surprised.
-
-"Well, my source of information don't matter very much, does it?"
-remarked the other, stretching out his long legs to the warmth of the
-fire.  "But I can tell you it's lucky for you and your friends that I've
-found out about it--or--well, I can only tell you something would have
-happened--something very unfortunate."
-
-"I don't follow you."
-
-"I don't expect you do," was "Red Mullet's" reply, as he laughed
-lightly.  "Just be open with me, Doc, and I'll tell you something--
-something that'll interest you, no doubt.  What is the purport of this
-precious document about which there's all this fuss?"
-
-"It's a secret--a great and remarkable problem which, up to the present,
-I'm unable to solve."
-
-"My dear old chap, there are a good many problems in this world which
-want solving.  The first of them is Woman," laughed the other.
-
-"Admitted.  But woman doesn't concern this particular matter."
-
-"That's just where you are mistaken, Doc," Mullet interrupted.  "You
-live down in this rural solitude, and you don't know what goes on up in
-London.  There is a woman in the case--a woman who is very deeply
-involved in it."
-
-"Who?"
-
-"We can leave her out of it for the present," replied Mullet.  "I want
-to know something about the document."
-
-Doctor Diamond hesitated.  Had this man, whose reputation was so bad,
-and against whom he had so often been warned, come there for the purpose
-of levying blackmail?  It seemed as though he had!  "Well," he answered,
-"I really see no reason why we should discuss what is, after all, my own
-private business, Mr Mullet."
-
-"I should not ask you if I had not a distinct object," said the other.
-"I may as well tell you that I've already acted in your interests, and
-at considerable risk to myself, too," he added.
-
-"For which I thank you most sincerely," responded the ugly little man,
-now very much on the alert.
-
-He was extremely puzzled to know by what means Mullet had learnt his
-secret.  Surely he could not have been a friend of that man who, on his
-deathbed, had refused his name?
-
-"I merely came down here to give you warning," Mullet said.  "You are
-not the only person interested in the discovery."
-
-"I know.  I have been compelled to take certain persons into my
-confidence, and they will share in the profits which, we hope, will
-eventually accrue."
-
-"I'm not speaking of your friends, Doc.  I'm speaking of enemies--people
-who are working actively against you."
-
-"Against me!" cried Diamond, starting.  "Who else knows about it besides
-ourselves?"
-
-"Ah!" exclaimed Mullet, smiling.  "That's just the point.  While you
-possess only a few scraps of the dead man's manuscript, those working in
-opposition to you have in their possession a complete copy!"
-
-"What!" cried the ugly little Doctor, starting up.  "Then the context is
-known!  The whole document has been read!"
-
-"Without a doubt.  And I should have been in ignorance of your
-connection with it had it not been for a pure accident," answered
-Mullet.
-
-"Who are my enemies?" demanded the Doctor.  "They are powerful--but I'm
-not at liberty to mention their names.  I can only say, Doctor, that if
-I can help you in secret in this affair I will.  There's money in it--
-lots of money--that's my firm opinion."
-
-"Then you know all about it?"
-
-"Well--I know that the discovery is one of the most remarkable of the
-age, and that it seems more than likely you'll be able to locate the
-hidden treasure of Solomon's temple.  I'm not much of a classical or
-Biblical scholar, but I understand that the theory has utterly staggered
-certain great authorities.  And as a mining engineer by profession, I'm
-interested.  I've been on more than one treasure-hunt, once in
-Guatemala, and again I went out with a party prospecting three years ago
-for those sunken Spanish galleons in Vigo Bay.  We located nine of the
-vessels by means of that new Italian invention, the hydroscope, and got
-up an old cannon, several gold doubloons and silver `pieces of eight.'
-According to authentic records in the Archives at Madrid, there are
-seventeen vessels full of gold and silver lying at the bottom of the
-bay, and the treasure is believed to be worth at least twenty-eight
-millions sterling."
-
-Diamond smiled.  Even that huge sum did not cause him dismay.  The
-treasure of Solomon's temple would surely be worth a dozen times as
-much.  Besides, would not he, Raymond Diamond, become one of the most
-noted men in the world if, by his instrumentality, the historic treasure
-of Israel was recovered.
-
-"A company has been formed to work the Vigo treasure.  They asked me to
-join them," "Red Mullet" went on.  "It's a tempting business, but I have
-other matters to attend to just now.  I wonder you don't form a
-syndicate to work this scheme of yours, Doctor."
-
-"No syndicate is necessary," replied the Doctor confidently.  "We can do
-it ourselves."
-
-"You might--if it were not for the strong opposition against you,"
-Mullet remarked.  "No, Doc.  Don't be too sure of your position.  You've
-got others who intend to cut in before you, when the time is ripe.
-But," he added, "what proof have you that this treasure actually exists.
-I'm ignorant in these matters, you know."
-
-"In a dozen places in the Old Testament it is referred to.
-Nebuchadnezzar, when he took Jerusalem, carried away over five thousand
-vessels of gold and silver from the temple.  Yet this was only the
-portion which the Jews allowed to remain there.  The greater part of the
-treasure, including the Ark of the Covenant and the tablets of the law,
-were hidden and have never been recovered.  We learn from the Book of
-Ezra that when Cyrus, Nebuchadnezzar's successor, gave the Jews their
-liberty, that he restored to Jerusalem five thousand four hundred basons
-and vessels of gold and silver which the King of Babylon had taken away.
-Those were, no doubt, placed in the new temple which Zerubbabel
-erected, but of which we unfortunately possess so very few particulars.
-What we are in search of is not this treasure, but the vessels of
-Solomon's temple that were hidden by the priests before the capture of
-Jerusalem by the King of Babylon."
-
-"So I understand, Doctor.  But what actual statement have you that they
-are still concealed?"
-
-"The plain, straightforward statement in Holy Writ," was the other's
-reply, as he sat huddled in the big armchair, a queer, ugly little
-figure.  Then, reaching across to a small table whereon lay the Bible,
-which he now daily studied, and opening it, he said: "Now, listen to
-this.  Jeremiah, xxvi, 19-21, reads as follows:
-
-  "`For thus saith the Lord of hosts concerning the pillars, and
-  concerning the sea, and concerning the bases, and _concerning the
-  residue of the vessels that remain in this city_, Which
-  Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon, took not, when he carried away
-  captive Jeconiah, the son of Jehoiakim king of Judah from Jerusalem to
-  Babylon, and all the nobles of Judah and Jerusalem:
-
-  "`Yea, thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel, concerning
-  _the vessels that remain in the house of the Lord, and in the house of
-  the King of Judah and of Jerusalem_.'"
-
-"By Jove!" exclaimed Mullet, starting up.  "I didn't know of those words
-of the prophet.  But I'm ashamed to say, Doctor, that I never was very
-much of a Biblical scholar.  But it really looks as though there is
-something in the theory after all, doesn't it?"
-
-For a long time the two men sat together, but though the Doctor was
-eager to learn how Aggie's father had obtained his knowledge, the latter
-was equally determined to tell him nothing.
-
-"If you carry on this inquiry, Doctor," he said, "it will be a very
-risky proceeding--I can tell you that much."
-
-"What!  Your object then is to frighten me into inactivity, Mr Mullet--
-eh?" asked the little man, jumping up.
-
-"Not at all--not at all, my dear fellow.  You don't understand.  You and
-I are friends, and--well, we'll continue to be, if you will allow me."
-
-Raymond Diamond confessed that he did not understand the object of his
-visitor's presence there.
-
-But "Red Mullet" only laughed, and taking another cigar from his case,
-said drily:
-
-"Then let us drop the subject, Doctor, and talk of something else."
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY.
-
-THE INQUISITOR.
-
-The police inquiries into the whereabouts of Gwen Griffin had been
-futile.
-
-The Professor, beside himself with grief and apprehension, complained
-most bitterly that the authorities had not treated his daughter's
-disappearance with sufficient seriousness.  In all the interviews he had
-had, both at the local police-station and at New Scotland Yard, the
-officials had apparently taken the view that the girl had left home of
-her own account.  He had been told on all hands that, in the end, her
-escapade would be found to be due to some unknown love-affair.
-
-In frantic bewilderment he had telegraphed to Frank Farquhar at the
-Bristol at Copenhagen, but unfortunately he had not received the message
-because on arrival at the Danish capital he had found the Bristol full,
-and had gone on to the Angleterre.  Hence he was still in ignorance of
-the disappearance of his well-beloved.
-
-Those mystic figures which the Professor had found scrawled upon his
-blotting-pad--the same that were upon that discarded scrap of
-waste-paper--also puzzled him to the point of distraction.  Could they
-have anything to do with the girl's fate?  By whose hand had they been
-traced?
-
-As far as they could discover, no stranger had entered the study.  Yet
-those figures--"255.19.7"--had been written boldly in blue upon the pad.
-Could Gwen have done it herself?  Had she left him some cryptic message
-which he now failed to decipher?  But if so, why did those same numbers
-appear upon the scrap of paper discarded by the unknown man who was
-endeavouring to learn his secret?
-
-After three days, during which time he puzzled over the meaning of those
-figures, applying to them all sorts of ciphers, he took a taxi-cab to a
-friend of his named Stevens, who lived at Streatham and was a Professor
-of Hebrew at London University.
-
-The pair sat together for some time, Griffin having apparently called to
-pay a formal visit to his less illustrious _confrere_, when suddenly
-producing the figures upon a piece of paper he sought Professor Stevens'
-opinion as to their meaning.
-
-The other stared at them through his spectacles, and after a long
-consideration inquired:
-
-"Were they written by a Hebrew scholar?"
-
-"I believe so."
-
-"Then I think their meaning must be quite plain," replied the other
-coolly.  "I should decipher it as the duration of the Kingdom of Israel.
-Did it not end after 255 years--namely from B.C. 975-721--under
-nineteen kings and seven dynasties, not reckoning among the latter, of
-course, the ephemeral usurpations of Zimri and Shallum?"
-
-"I never thought of that!" gasped Griffin.  "Those figures have greatly
-disturbed me, my dear Stevens.  They have appeared twice in
-circumstances extremely strange--traced by an unknown hand."
-
-"But the hand of a scholar without a doubt," was the other's reply.
-"Perhaps some crank or other who has the habit of signing himself in
-that manner.  I have known men addicted to such peculiarities.  There
-used to be a don at Oxford who had the humorous habit of appending his
-signature in most excellent imitation of that of Napoleon."
-
-Griffin, recognising that Stevens was correct in his elucidation of the
-mysterious signification of those figures, became more puzzled.  The man
-in search of the great secret was evidently a crank.  That was most
-conclusively proved.  Yet why should that mystic signature appear upon
-his blotting-pad?
-
-Was it possible that Gwen and he were acquainted, and that he had
-actually entered the house.
-
-The Professor was beside himself in his utter bewilderment.  His
-daughter had slipped away, and left him without a word of farewell.  Yet
-towards his friend Stevens he wore a mask, and only laughed heartily at
-the rapid solution of the problem which he had placed before him.
-
-Was it possible, he thought many times, that Gwen, with a love-sick
-girl's sudden yearning, had slipped across to the Continent to join her
-lover?  There could be no reason whatever for that, because he had never
-for a moment opposed their engagement.  Yet girls were a trifle wild
-sometimes, he reflected, especially motherless girls like the dainty
-Gwen.
-
-After an hour, however, he bade farewell to Stevens, and re-entering his
-"taxi" in King's Avenue, drove back into London, refusing his friend's
-invitation to remain for luncheon.
-
-He crossed Westminster Bridge, and alighted at the British Museum to
-inquire if the mysterious searcher had been seen there of late.
-
-The assistant-keeper in the Oriental room replied in the affirmative.
-The old gentleman had been there three days before, and had afterwards
-gone to the great reading-room.
-
-Proceeding there.  Professor Griffin quickly made inquiries, discovering
-presently that the man had given the name of Rosenberg.  He was shown a
-slip upon which was written the titles of the two rare works he had
-consulted.  They were:
-
-"Cryptomengsis Patefacta (1685)," and "Kryptographik, Kluber (1809)."
-
-These were, he recognised, the two leading works on cryptography,
-explaining, as they did, all the early systems of secret writing from
-the _scytalc_ in use by the early Greeks down to the biliteral cipher of
-Sir Francis Bacon.  It was therefore quite plain that the stranger,
-whoever he might be, though at Oxford he had made those calculations in
-order to test the existence of a numerical cipher in the Book of
-Ezekiel, had not yet discovered any true key.
-
-This knowledge gave Griffin great satisfaction.  The loss of that
-crumpled paper from his pocket was, he recognised of no import.
-
-Inquires of the librarian showed that the stranger was not known in the
-reading-room as a regular reader.  Yet he agreed, as indeed had other
-librarians and keepers of manuscripts, that the old man was undoubtedly
-a scholar.
-
-This person's will-o'-the-wisp existence was most tantalising.  In
-appearance he was described as an old white-headed man with deep-set
-eyes and a longish white beard, rather shabbily dressed and wearing a
-long black overcoat much the worse for wear.  Great scholars are not
-remarkable for their neatness in dress.  They are mostly neglectful, as
-indeed was Professor Griffin himself.  To Gwen, her father was a
-constant source of anxiety, for only at her supreme command would he
-even order a new suit, and his evening clothes were so old and out of
-shape that she had, times without number, declared herself ashamed to go
-out to the smart houses at which they were so often asked to dine.
-
-But genius is always forgiven its garments, and the fact that the
-bearded stranger was described as shabby and almost threadbare did not
-surprise the man who went about equally shabby himself.
-
-If he were interested in the "Cryptomengsis Patefacta," then one thing
-was proved.  His researches at the Bodleian had been without result.
-
-The continued absence of Gwen, however, prevented Griffin from
-continuing his inquiries.  Though times without number he opened the
-Hebrew text of Ezekiel and tried to study it, yet he was unable to
-concentrate his mind upon it, and always closed the book again with a
-deep sigh.
-
-The house was dull and empty without little Gwen's bright smile and
-musical voice.  This, he realised, was a foretaste of his loneliness
-when she was married.
-
-Next day dragged by.  The following day was cold and wet, and he spent
-it mostly alone in his study, after he had been round to the
-police-station and obtained a negative reply to his question as to
-whether his beloved daughter had been discovered.
-
-That she was absent against her win he was convinced.  She would never
-have left him in that manner to allow him to fear for her safety.
-
-Seated alone, he brought out those large photographs of Diamond's
-half-destroyed manuscript, and tried to centre his mind upon them.  But,
-alas! he was unable.  Therefore, as the short grey afternoon drew in,
-with a sigh he rose, put on his overcoat, and telling Laura he would not
-be back to dinner, he went forth to wander the London streets.  He could
-bear the dead silence of that house no longer.
-
-Just before seven o'clock the dining-room bell rang, and the dark-eyed
-parlour-maid, ascending the stairs, entered the room.
-
-"Lor', miss!" gasped the Cockney girl.  "You did give me a fright!  How
-long have you been 'ome?"
-
-Gwen, who stood before her, pale and thin-faced and with hair slightly
-dishevelled, explained that she had just let herself in with the
-latch-key.
-
-"The Professor's out, miss.  'E said 'e wouldn't be 'ome to dinner," the
-girl remarked.  "Oh, we've been very worried about you, miss!  The
-perlice 'ave searched 'igh and low for yer.  We all thought something
-dreadful 'ad 'appened.  Wherever 'ave you been all these days?"
-
-"That's my own business," answered the Professor's daughter.  "I've come
-back safe and sound, and I'm now going to my room.  Tell my father when
-he comes in that I'm very tired.  Perhaps he won't return till late."
-
-"Shall I bring you up something, miss?" asked the girl.
-
-"Yes, some tea.  I want nothing else."
-
-And she ascended to her own neat bedroom on the second floor where,
-after closing the door, she flung herself upon the bed and burst into
-tears.
-
-Her nerves had been unstrung by the severe ordeal she had gone through.
-When the maid brought her tea, she dried her eyes and allowed the girl
-to assist her to change her dusty skirt and torn blouse, and after a
-good wash and a cup of tea she felt decidedly better and refreshed.
-
-Laura lit a fire, and when it had burnt up Gwen flung herself into her
-cretonne-covered armchair to rest and to think.
-
-Since she had last sat in that cosy well-remembered room of hers there
-had been hideous happenings.  The past seemed to her all like a bad
-dream.  She shuddered as she recalled it.  Even the events of that day
-hardly seemed clear and distinct.  Her recollection of them was hazy, so
-agitated and anxious had she been.  Why she had been so suddenly
-released from that hateful bondage was also to her a complete mystery.
-
-She was recalling that first interview with the coarse, red-faced man
-whose name she had not been told: with what little consideration he had
-treated her, and how he had compelled her to come forth from her
-stronghold in order to speak with him.
-
-He had asked her many curious questions, the purport of which she could
-not discern.  Some of them concerned her father's recent actions and
-movements; some of them concerned the man she loved.
-
-But she was independent, and refused point-blank to answer anything.
-She defied that man who, in turn, jeered at her helplessness, and so
-insulted her that the flush of shame rose upon her white cheeks.
-
-"You shall answer me these questions, young lady," cried the pompous man
-in firm determination, "or it will be the worse for you!" he added with
-a look, the real meaning of which she was unable to disguise from
-herself.
-
-Yet she stood defiant, even though she was helpless in his hands.
-
-"My father's business does not concern you," she had cried, "and if you
-think his daughter will betray him into the hands of his enemies you are
-mistaken, sir!"
-
-The bloated, red-faced brute blurted forth a quick imprecation, and
-would have struck her had not the tall man who was her janitor
-interfered, saying:
-
-"No, don't.  She'll reconsider her refusal, no doubt."
-
-"If she does not tell me everything--everything we want to know--and if
-she does not consent to do our bidding and bring to us whatever we
-desire, then she need not look for mercy.  She is ours, and we shall
-treat her as such.  The man who called himself `Wetherton' shall come
-back to her.  He'll very soon overcome her scruples and cause her to
-reflect!" the man had laughed hoarsely.
-
-"Give her time," suggested the tall man.
-
-"We want no more of these heroics about her betraying her father," the
-other sneered.  "If so, she'll regret it.  You know, Charlie, what I
-mean: how more than one girl has bitterly regretted her defiance."
-
-Gwen fell suddenly upon her knees, imploring to be allowed to go free.
-But her tormentor only repeated his threats in terms which left no doubt
-as to what he intended should be the poor girl's fate, and laughing he
-took up his hat and strode forth.
-
-From that moment the tall man addressed as Charlie, though he would give
-no explanation whatever as to the reason those strange questions had
-been put to her concerning her father and her lover, treated her with
-the greatest consideration, yet at the same time kept constantly
-expressing a fear that, if she still refused, the danger threatened
-would certainly befall her.
-
-Again, on the following day, the fat red-faced inquisitor came and put
-those questions to her.  But he still found her obdurate.  She
-recognised that those people were her father's enemies, therefore she
-had determined to say nothing.
-
-Ah! would she ever forget all the horror of those dramatic interviews--
-the dastardly threats of that blackguard who laughed at her unhappiness
-and who uttered words which caused her face to burn with shame.
-
-And then came the final scene, just as suddenly as the first.
-
-The inquisitor came again, and after another violent scene left,
-declaring that the false "Wetherton" should return and become her
-janitor in place of the man she knew as Charlie.
-
-The latter seemed pained and very anxious after the red-faced man had
-gone.  She inquired the reason, but he only sighed, declaring that the
-man under whose power they both were would most certainly carry out his
-threat towards her.
-
-Half mad with anxiety and grief, she had then confided in the tall man,
-telling him a brief disjointed story of the half-burned manuscript, in
-the course of which she had mentioned the name of a man whom she had
-never met--Doctor Diamond, of Horsford.  Her lover, she explained, was
-the Doctor's friend.
-
-The man had put to her a few rapid questions to which she had replied;
-then, as though with sudden resolve, he had risen from the table where
-he had been sitting, and clenching his fists poured forth a flood of
-execrations upon some person he did not name.
-
-She was surprised at the action, and her surprise increased when, a few
-minutes later, he had halted before her saying:
-
-"Though I risk my own liberty in assisting you, Miss Griffin, I will not
-keep you here, the innocent victim of that heartless blackguard and his
-sycophants.  I have a daughter of my own--a little daughter who is all
-in all to me.  `Red Mullet'--that's my name, Miss--may bear a pretty bad
-reputation, but he will never lift a finger against a defenceless girl,
-nor will he act in opposition to a man who has stood his friend.  My
-only stipulation is that you will say nothing.  We will meet again ere
-long."
-
-And then, five minutes later, having given her solemn promise of
-secrecy, she had left the house, wandering the dark streets until she
-had found herself in Oxford Street, where she had hailed a cab and
-driven home.
-
-Over all this she sat thinking, gazing thoughtfully into the dancing
-flames and wondering.
-
-But from her reverie she was awakened by the re-entry of the maid, who
-said:
-
-"Both the Professor and Mr Farquhar are downstairs, miss.  Will you
-please go down to them at once?"
-
-She started quickly.  A cold shudder ran through her.
-
-With that vow of secrecy upon her, the vow given to the man who had been
-her protector, what explanation of her absence could she give to Frank.
-
-She rose slowly from her chair, her great dark eyes fixed straight
-before her.
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY ONE.
-
-THE FALLING OF THE SHADOW.
-
-Gwen stood before her father and her lover, a pale, wan, trembling
-figure, evasive in all her answers.
-
-With the seal of silence upon her lips what could she say?
-
-As Professor Griffin had entered the door with his latch-key a hansom
-had drawn up at the kerb, and Frank, who had come straight from Charing
-Cross, after dropping his kit at his rooms, sprang out and ran up the
-steps to the porch to meet the elder man with a merry greeting.
-
-His first inquiry had been of Gwen, but the Professor's face told him
-that something was wrong, and they entered the hall together.  Next
-moment, however, the maid rushed forward exclaiming: "Miss Gwen's come
-home, sir.  She's upstairs."
-
-"Tell her we are here," said her father, "and we'd like to see her at
-once."
-
-Then the two men walked into the dining-room, where, in a few brief
-sentences, the Professor explained to young Farquhar his daughter's
-sudden disappearance.
-
-Frank was quick to notice that the girl he loved had scarce dared to
-raise her eyes to his as she entered the room.  The grey gown she wore,
-unrelieved by any touch of colour, served to accentuate the deadly
-pallor of her soft countenance.  A change had been wrought in her--a
-great astounding change.
-
-"Why, Gwen dear!" gasped her father.  "What's the matter?  What has
-occurred?"
-
-"Nothing, dad," faltered the girl.
-
-"That's quite absurd, my child," cried the elder man.  "You've been
-absent from home all these days, and sent me no word!  Something unusual
-must have occurred."
-
-"Nothing, dad dear--at least, nothing that I can tell you."
-
-Frank started, staring straight at her, utterly amazed at her response.
-
-"But, Gwen," he exclaimed, "you surely can explain where you've been.
-The police, it seems, have been searching for you everywhere."
-
-Her eyes were cast quickly around the room, as though seeking means of
-escape from that cross-examination.  Then she answered:
-
-"I really don't see what my business concerns any one--so long as I am
-at home again."
-
-"This is scarcely like you, Gwen," exclaimed the grey-haired man
-reproachfully.  "You are usually so very thoughtful for me, and careful
-not to give me cause for a moment's anxiety."
-
-"It was quite inevitable, dad," she replied.  "I would not have remained
-silent intentionally--as you well know."
-
-"But surely," interrupted Frank in a voice which showed that his
-suspicions were already aroused, "surely you can at least allow us the
-satisfaction of knowing where you've been, dear!"
-
-"No harm has befallen me, has there?  Therefore, why trouble about my
-absence?" she asked.  To utter those words required all her
-self-control.  She knew in what an awkward position she was now placing
-herself.
-
-"Well, you seem to regard very lightly all the anxiety you have caused
-me, my child," protested Griffin sharply.
-
-"I am very sorry--truly sorry, dear dad," was the pale-faced girl's
-reply, "but my silence really was not my own fault."
-
-"At least you might be frank with us now, Gwen!" declared her lover.
-"You surely have nothing to hide!"
-
-"Nothing whatever," she said, smiling bitterly, "only I am, for certain
-reasons, compelled to regard my recent whereabouts as a secret."
-
-"Why?"
-
-She was silent.  What could she say!  What indeed?  The man Mullet, who
-had been her protector, and who had treated her with such kindness and
-consideration, making her confinement much the less irksome than it
-would have been; the man who had stood between her and her brutal,
-red-faced inquisitor, and who, just at the moment when a grave peril
-threatened her, had opened the door and allowed her to escape, and laid
-upon her a solemn vow of secrecy.  His words rang distinctly in her
-ears: "Remember, Miss Griffin, if you tell your friends what has
-happened to you it will result in my ruin.  Our enemies will avenge
-themselves by giving me over to the police.  Therefore, I beg of you to
-remain silent--at all hazards--for my sake!"  And she had promised.
-
-Could she break that pledge, given to the man who had saved her from
-shame and dishonour?
-
-By her hesitation, grave suspicions had gathered within the minds of
-both her father and her lover.  Ignorant of the true facts, they both
-misjudged her.
-
-Frank's quick jealousy had been fired by her determination not to make
-explanation.  Yet he had tried to suppress the bitter thoughts growing
-within him, hoping that it was her father's presence which prevented her
-from telling him in confidence what had occurred.
-
-"I cannot see why you should make such a great mystery of the affair, my
-dear child," remarked the Professor, clearly annoyed.
-
-"Well," and she laughed nervously, "perhaps I may tell you something
-some day, dad.  But please excuse me now, dear.  I--I'm tired and--and
-very upset."
-
-The old man recognised from her pale, hard-drawn features that she was
-not herself.  Her highly strung nerves were at their greatest tension.
-And, perhaps, after all, he thought, it was injudicious of him to submit
-her to that cross-examination in Frank's presence.
-
-Indeed, both men desired to speak with her alone, both believing that
-they would then induce her to tell the truth.
-
-Little did they dream that the truth could never issue from her lips--
-that the vow she had made was to a man to whom the exposure meant loss
-of his liberty.
-
-Her own position was a ghastly one.  She had already realised that.  She
-shuddered at the recollection of those hideous insults of that fat,
-brutal tormentor--and of the fate which he had marked out for her
-because she would not satisfy him concerning either her father or her
-lover.
-
-Her sole thought was of "Charlie"--Mr Mullet, or "Red Mullet" as his
-friends were in the habit of calling him.  She smiled at the humour of
-the appellation.  It fitted him so well on account of his red hair and
-bristly red moustache.
-
-Half an hour later the subject of her absence having by mutual consent,
-been dropped, the Professor went to his study to write some letters,
-while Gwen and her lover strolled into the big drawing-room, gaunt and
-cheerless without a fire.
-
-When they were alone he took her white, trembling hand, and, looking
-steadily into her eyes, begged her to afford him the satisfaction of
-knowing the truth about her absence.
-
-She had been dreading that moment, and she only shook her head.
-
-"But, dearest!" he urged, "surely I have a right to know!"
-
-"I thought you said only the day before your departure for Copenhagen
-that you could always trust me, Frank," she answered, in a voice full of
-quiet reproach.
-
-"I said so, I admit.  But almost immediately I had gone it seems that
-you slipped out of the house without a word, and have only just
-returned.  You will make no explanation, therefore what am I to think?
-What can I think!"
-
-"You must think as evil of me as you may, Frank," was the girl's calm
-reply.
-
-"No, no," he cried.  "Come darling, tell me all about it--in confidence.
-I won't say a word to any living soul."
-
-"I cannot tell you," was her faint response, standing rigid, with her
-eyes fixed straight before her.  "Please do not ask me again."
-
-"Do you refuse, even me?"
-
-"Yes, Frank--even you."
-
-He was silent.  What ugly incident could she have to hide from him?  He
-knew that before their first meeting she had, like many a young and
-pretty girl, been a sad flirt; that men had hovered about her
-continually, attracted by her sweet beauty and charming daintiness.  He
-was not her first love.  On the contrary, she had more than one little
-serious affair of the heart; first with a young Italian officer of
-infantry at Florence, where she had spent a winter with her father, and
-again with the son of a north country ironmaster while staying at the
-Empire at Buxton.  She had confessed to those, and others.  Indeed,
-hitherto she had never withheld from him any secret concerning her past.
-Therefore, why should she now refuse to give any account of her
-mysterious absence!
-
-He was puzzled--puzzled by her attitude and puzzled by her determination
-to evade his questions.  And, as was but natural, there sprang up in his
-breast the burning fire of jealousy.
-
-The amazing, horrifying thought occurred to him that she, the
-sweet-faced girl he loved with his whole heart and soul, had, while he
-had been absent abroad, met some secret lover, an old "flame" most
-probably, believing that she could excuse herself to her indulgent
-father and induce him to make no mention of the affair to him upon his
-return.  He, however, had returned to London a day too early--returned
-to learn the bitter and astounding truth.
-
-Time after time, still holding her tiny white hand in his, and looking
-into those dark timid eyes, he urged her to give him some satisfaction.
-But she steadily refused, declaring:
-
-"I am unable, Frank.  And even if I were able, you would never believe
-me--never!"
-
-"Why are you unable?" he inquired, suspiciously.
-
-"Because secrecy has been imposed upon me."
-
-"By one who is in fear of certain consequences--eh?" he asked furiously.
-
-"Yes," was her faltering response.
-
-"Then is it not right that I, your future husband, should be acquainted
-with what has occurred, Gwen?" he demanded quickly.  "By your silence,
-you are only arousing suspicions within me that may be cruel and unjust
-towards you."
-
-"I regret, Frank, that it must remain so.  I have given a pledge that I
-cannot break--even at your request."
-
-"Ah! then your love for me is not so strong as I believed it to be!" he
-cried reproachfully, letting her hand drop.  "How many times have you
-placed your arms about my neck and declared your affection for me?" he
-asked bitterly.
-
-"I do love you, Frank--I swear I love you as much as I have always
-done!" she cried wildly, stretching forth her arms to him in her
-despair.
-
-"Impossible.  You have made a solemn pledge to another--a man.  Do you
-deny that it is a man?"
-
-"No.  I deny nothing that is the truth," she whispered hoarsely, "I dare
-not tell you the truth for--for that man's sake!"
-
-"You apparently think a great deal of him!" exclaimed Farquhar, with
-rising anger.
-
-"He is my friend--my best friend, as you will some day learn."
-
-"And you actually tell me this, Gwen!" he cried, staring at her.  "You--
-whom I've loved so truly!"
-
-"I am telling you the truth," she replied, in a voice again strangely
-calm.  "You need entertain no jealousy of him.  He is my friend--my
-devoted friend--nothing more."
-
-"And you stay from home for days, and on returning tell me this!" he
-exclaimed, his brows contracted in fierce anger.  "What is this fellow's
-name?" he demanded.
-
-"I am not at liberty to tell you," she responded, "believe me if you
-will--if not,"--and she shrugged her shoulders without concluding her
-sentences.
-
-"I have a right to know," he blurted forth.
-
-She realised the effect her words had had upon him.  She saw his fierce
-jealousy and his dark suspicion.  Yet what more could she say in the
-hideous circumstances.  She was now the innocent victim of a silence
-imposed upon her by the man who had been her protector.  How could she
-betray him into the hands of his enemies?  Ah! her situation was surely
-one of the most difficult and maddening in which a girl had ever found
-herself.
-
-To tell Frank Farquhar the truth would be to rouse his mad jealousy to a
-great pitch.  He would seek out Mr Mullet, face him, and create a scene
-which must inevitably bring down upon her friend and protector the
-vengeance of those who held him so helpless in their unscrupulous hands.
-
-Hence she foresaw the inevitable.  It was as plain as it was tragic.
-Her refusal to give satisfactory replies to Frank's most natural
-questions had aroused his darkest suspicion.  He, on his part, discerned
-in her determination a deliberate attempt to mislead him.  During his
-absence she had changed towards him, changed in a most curious way that
-held him mystified.
-
-"You appear, Gwen, to be utterly unconcerned and careless as to whether
-I believe you or not," he said gravely, after a few moments' silence.
-"Well, I would like now to speak quite plainly and openly."
-
-"Speak," she said, "I am all attention."  She was struggling valiantly
-with herself.
-
-Her coolness was feigned.  Ah! what would she give if she were at
-liberty to tell Frank the whole strange and ghastly truth!
-
-"I have put to you a question which you refuse to answer," he said in a
-low, hard voice.  "You have admitted that, by this silence of yours, you
-are protecting another man.  Well--in that case I can only say that I
-must leave you in future to your friend's protection.  I hope he loves
-you better--better than I!"
-
-"Leave me!" she gasped in a hoarse whisper.  "You--you will leave me!
-Ah! no--no Frank,"--she shrieked in her despair, "you can't mean that--
-you won't let--"
-
-But her lover had already turned upon his heel, and without further
-words he left the room--and the house.
-
-She heard the front door slam, and then with a sudden cry of despair she
-flung herself upon the couch and buried her head among the silken
-cushions sobbing.
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY TWO.
-
-INCREASES THE MYSTERY.
-
-The morning was foggy, damp and dark in London, one of those to which
-dwellers in the Metropolis are so accustomed in the short December days.
-
-In "Red Mullet's" sitting-room off Oxford Street--that same room in
-which Gwen Griffin had endured her imprisonment--he and Doctor Diamond
-were seated.
-
-A fortnight had passed since the red-haired man's visit to Horsford, but
-in accordance with a promise made he had, late the previous evening,
-telegraphed to the hunchback, and in response to the message the latter
-had left Peterborough by the up-express at nine o'clock that morning.
-
-"Well, Doc," the tall man was saying as he lay stretched lazily in his
-chair smoking a cigarette.  "I'm giving away my friend in order to
-oblige you, and I've had a lot of difficulty, as you may imagine.  My
-friends are a pretty tough crowd, as you know.  But I've fulfilled the
-promise I made to you, and all will be well providing that young lady,
-Miss Griffin, only holds her tongue."
-
-"Then you've really obtained a copy of the document for me--eh!"
-interrupted the ugly little man, his face brightening quickly.
-
-"Yes.  I was very nearly caught in the act of taking it.  It was kept in
-a safe, and I had to get hold of the _key_ by a ruse.  I kept it a day,
-and got a typed copy made.  Then I retained it to its place."
-
-"By Jove, Mr Mullet, you're a real friend!" cried the Doctor, starting
-up.  "As you know, we've been handicapped hitherto by not knowing the
-context of the document.  Ours has been all guesswork."
-
-"Well, it needn't be any more," remarked the red-haired man with a light
-laugh, "for here's a complete copy.  You'd better read it out.  It's a
-very remarkable statement."  And he produced a typewritten manuscript
-which the Doctor, after clearing his throat, eagerly read as follows:
-
-  "THE TREASURE OF ISRAEL.
-
-  "Revealed by a Hebrew Cipher in the Old Testament.
-
-  "I, Peter Holmboe, graduate of Helsingfors University, in Finland,
-  late Professor of Hebrew at St Petersburg University, and now
-  resident at Langenfelder Strasse, 17, Altona, Germany, make oath and
-  declare as follows:
-
-  "Curious, and perhaps improbable as it may at first appear, I claim to
-  have discovered the actual whereabouts of the hidden treasure of the
-  Jewish Temple, which includes among other things the Ark of the
-  Covenant, the Tablets of moses, and the enormous treasure of gold and
-  silver known to exist before the capture of Jerusalem by
-  Nebuchadnezzar, King of Babylon.
-
-  "_The Secret_.
-
-  "The secret of the place of concealment is contained in a cipher which
-  runs through certain chapters of the Book of Ezekiel, and which
-  clearly relates the whole story and gives absolute and most complete
-  directions with measurements by which the spot is indicated.  And not
-  only this.  The same story, in a much more abbreviated form, is,
-  curiously enough, also repeated in the same cipher in certain chapters
-  of Deuteronomy.
-
-  "It is a historical fact that when Nebuchadnezzar seized Jerusalem
-  nearly the whole of the treasure of the Temple had disappeared, and it
-  would seem that into the Book of Ezekiel the secret was incorporated,
-  so that the treasure, which formed the war-chest of the Jews, could be
-  recovered at the coming of the Messiah.
-
-  "Many points are, of course, highly interesting and curious.  Perhaps
-  my discovery--which, by the way, was by pure accident--will create
-  much controversy and arouse great excitement among scholars and
-  archaeologists.  Nevertheless the cipher exists, as I am ready, under
-  certain conditions and on certain financial considerations, to
-  indicate its existence to any competent Hebrew scholar who may be
-  appointed to investigate my discovery.
-
-  "_The Cipher_.
-
-  "For many years I had been greatly interested in the various
-  astronomical, astrological and cabalistical signs and cycles so
-  apparent in the chronology of the ancient peoples.  In the Bible, and
-  more especially during the five hundred or so years before Christ, I
-  found evidences of the astrology that was used in the division of
-  time, and therefore set to work, using the comparing method in order
-  to obtain an insight into the different ciphers most universally used,
-  and also into the methods of concealing secret messages and
-  statements.  Many of the ciphers used were highly ingenious and most
-  difficult to decipher.  The Jews in Jerusalem used them, so did the
-  Jewish Greeks in Alexandria and the Buddhists in India, as well as the
-  Gnostics, etc.
-
-  "I had been studying certain curious expressions in the `Mischna,'
-  which seemed to me to contain certain hidden meanings, when one day,
-  in studying the Book of Ezekiel in the original, I was amazed to come
-  across an expression which, habituated as I was to the presence of
-  ciphers, told me at once that a hidden message was contained there.
-
-  "After countless failures through several years, I one day applied one
-  of the earlier known cabalistic ciphers--which, by the way, is so
-  complicated and ingenious that the whole message must be deciphered
-  before the first word becomes apparent--and, to my intense
-  astonishment, on making the complete decipher I found myself able to
-  read a clean declaration (extending through nine chapters) of the
-  secret hiding-place of the Great Treasure of Israel!
-
-  "The cipher declaration opens with an intimation of 490 years before
-  the arrival of the Messiah, and continues as follows:
-
-  "`_The lapse of years are nearing its filling.  The relief of the Doom
-  will come in spite of all.  The people's right is nearing.  The Period
-  of the Blood-Debts and that of the Suppression will lose its power_.'
-
-  "It is then stated that Moses' tablets, the archives of the Temple,
-  the Ark of the Covenant and `the Chair of Grace between two cherubims
-  of fine gold,' `the insignias Urim and Thummim with two rubies of
-  extraordinary size surrounded by a multitude of other precious
-  stones,' the `written archives of the earliest period of the Jews'
-  till about B.C. 600, `the great treasures of the Temple, gold and
-  silver vessels, coined gold, and precious stones of every description'
-  were all `_concealed beneath the earth in a dry-room in connection
-  with which is a series of water-tunnels_.'
-
-  "The secret declaration goes on to give the most complete details of
-  how the treasure may be reached.  It is stated that there are three
-  entrances, one of which is impossible as it is inaccessible, being
-  closed up by masonry in a labyrinth of caves; the second is also too
-  difficult.  But the third is accessible by draining the water and will
-  not present much difficulty.
-
-  "The cipher continuing, declares:
-
-  "`_The tablets shall remain in their hiding-place till the arrival of
-  the Messiah, who alone may open their place of concealment, in order
-  that He may furnish proof of the faith, and if necessary the treasure
-  shall provide a war fund when the Messiah conquers the world and
-  establishes his residence in Jerusalem_.'
-
-  "The cipher concludes by declaring:
-
-  "`_Six curses, yea! sixty times six curses, shall be upon the head of
-  any one who dare to attempt to violate the treasure-house_.'
-
-  "That the messages, each identical, run through both Ezekiel and
-  Deuteronomy is indisputable, and I am quite ready to explain them,
-  provided my secret is properly protected.
-
-  "Among the many curious and interesting features which go far to prove
-  that the treasure is still lying undisturbed, I may perhaps indicate
-  the Biblical fact that, after the Babylonian imprisonment, the tablets
-  of Moses were never again exhibited in the Temple.  Yet did not
-  Nehemiah convince himself that they were intact and in good condition?
-
-  "We know that Nebuchadnezzar received certain vessels from the Temple
-  at Jerusalem (Ezra, i, 7-11) but no mention is made of the tablets, of
-  the Ark, or of any other of the things mentioned in the cipher!
-
-  "Again, when Titus destroyed Jerusalem he did not obtain the Ark.  On
-  the Arch of Triumph still existing in Rome are representations of the
-  candlesticks, but there is no representation of the Ark.
-
-  "Through the whole prophecy of Ezekiel I can point out many evidences
-  of the existence of the treasure.
-
-  "And, finally, it is extremely curious that the Crusaders searched
-  actively for it, but mostly in the neighbourhood of Engeddin.
-
-  "Whether the treasure of Israel still exists or not, the cipher
-  declaration stands out in black and white, one of the best known and
-  most difficult of all the various modes used by the ancients for
-  concealing messages.
-
-  "I claim that it is a most amazing discovery which must be of deepest
-  interest to the whole civilised world, and should be at once
-  investigated.  I have not, of course, space to give complete Biblical
-  references, etc.  These I will supply later on, if necessary.
-
-  "Any Jew who may be consulted will no doubt scorn the idea of the
-  existence of the treasure.  He will do so because he will argue that
-  no cipher can exist in a book inspired.  Again, he may declare that
-  all the treasure was all carried off to Babylon.  This is, I maintain,
-  disproved by historical facts.
-
-  "Again, there may be considerable argument as to whether the Books of
-  Ezekiel and of Deuteronomy were written about the same period.
-  According to the latest theory, Deuteronomy was written before
-  Ezekiel, nevertheless this discovery of the same cipher record in both
-  now conclusively proves that they were written at very nearly the same
-  time.
-
-  "Further, I am aware of the Talmudic tradition which states that the
-  treasures I have enumerated, with the addition of Aaron's staff, the
-  pot of manna and the flask of anointing oil, are hidden beneath the
-  Temple Mount.  But the cipher in question shows plainly that they are
-  not concealed upon the site of the Temple, which is now occupied by
-  the Mosque of Omar, but at some considerable distance away.
-
-  "_The Key_.
-
-  "As regards the key to the cipher and the manner in which to decipher
-  it, I have, believing my existence to be now short-lived--for alas!  I
-  am suffering from a disease that I am told is incurable--placed the
-  key, with such directions as are necessary to read it, in a place
-  where it will remain hidden until such time as I have arranged with a
-  capitalist or syndicate of financiers to despatch an expedition to
-  secretly purchase the land in question and excavate for the holy
-  relics.  To them alone it will be revealed.
-
-  "The key, which will disclose a statement that must cause the whole
-  world to be surprised and thrilled, is divided into two parts, the one
-  useless without the other.  One part now lies in one city and another
-  in a second.  Therefore, for any person to attempt to discover the
-  truth without first entering into business relations with me will be
-  utterly impossible.  And even if both keys were illegally obtained,
-  the requisite knowledge could not then be ascertained without a third
-  direction, that can be supplied by myself alone.
-
-  "If I live, then I hope to search and recover the sacred objects.  If,
-  however, Providence wills my death ere my task is done, none shall
-  complete it; for none shall ever profit by the secret which the Unseen
-  Power has revealed unto us, a statement of which I have herein written
-  and signed by my own hand.
-
-  "(Signed) Peter Holmboe, _Professor of Hebrew_."
-
-The following note, with the impression of a rubber stamp, was appended
-in German:
-
-"Sworn before me, Karl Weizel, notary public at 38, Neuer
-Junugferustieg, in the Free City of Hamburg, on the eighth of July, One
-thousand Nine hundred and Seven."
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY THREE.
-
-HIS UGLINESS AT PEMBRIDGE GARDENS.
-
-An hour later the Doctor called upon Frank Farquhar in Half Moon Street,
-and excitedly showed him the precious copy of the document which "Red
-Mullet" had secured for him.
-
-Frank was highly interested, of course, but refused to accompany the
-hunchback to Pembridge Gardens.  As his reason, he gave that he had a
-directors' meeting down in Fleet Street which he was bound to attend.
-Sir George was absent and he was therefore compelled to be in his place.
-The truth was that he had no desire to meet Gwen.
-
-The girl had written him several pitiful and reproachful letters during
-the past fortnight, but to these he had made no response, except by one
-brief note in which he had repeated his very pointed question.
-
-"No, Doctor," he said, "go yourself to Pembridge Gardens.  The Professor
-will, I'm sure, be delighted to meet you, and you can discuss the matter
-thoroughly with him.  I'll see him this evening."
-
-Therefore Diamond had taken a cab out to Notting Hill Gate, and on
-inquiring for Griffin and giving his name, was shown at once upstairs to
-the study.
-
-The Professor, with his usual courtesy, expressed his pleasure at the
-meeting, though if the truth were told he had not expected to see a man
-of the little Doctor's extreme ugliness.  Then, when his visitor
-produced the precious copy of the dead man's manuscript, the great
-scholar sat down and breathlessly read it through from end to end.
-
-"This is exactly what I surmised from the burnt fragments," he remarked,
-taking off his glasses as he turned to where the Doctor was sitting.
-"But the great and fascinating problem we have to solve is the
-whereabouts of the two keys to the cipher.  One thing seems clear from
-the document, namely, that the dead man was Holmboe, the discoverer of
-the hidden secret."
-
-"Exactly.  He knew the uncertainty of his life.  Indeed he told me so
-when he had his first attack," replied the little man, "the initials
-`P.H.' were also upon his clothing."
-
-"He told you he was a Dane.  But in all probability he was a Russian or
-a Finn," remarked Griffin slowly turning over the leaves of a reference
-book before him.  "Yes--here he is--Peter Holmboe, Professor of Hebrew
-at St Petersburg, University, appointed four years ago.  He apparently
-occupied a very high post for so young a man.  He made the declaration
-in Hamburg, I see, therefore he had, no doubt, resigned his
-professorship in order to devote his time to finding capital to exploit
-the remarkable secret he had discovered."
-
-"Yes.  But what's the use of the secret without the key to the cipher?"
-queried the Doctor.
-
-"None whatever.  We must work to discover the key," Griffin replied.
-"If I close study, discover the key myself."
-
-"Farquhar's journey to Copenhagen was utterly fruitless.  We were led
-there upon a wild goose chase," the Doctor said.  "The unfortunate fact
-is that others are also in search of the secret."
-
-"I am aware of that.  But how did you discover it?"
-
-"I was told by my friend--the man who secured for me this copy--an old
-friend named Mullet.  He knows more than he will tell me!"
-
-While the Doctor was speaking, Gwen had opened the door and entered the
-room.
-
-She heard the visitor utter the name of her protector, and became
-instantly interested.
-
-"This is Doctor Diamond, dear," explained her father.  "You have heard
-Mr Farquhar speak of him."
-
-The little Doctor jumped to his feet and bowed, while the girl, in dark
-skirt and clean white blouse, graciously acknowledged his greeting.
-
-She was anxious to learn what connection this dwarfed man could have
-with her mysterious protector.
-
-"I heard you speak of a Mr Mullet, Doctor," she remarked.  "Is that a
-man known as `Red Mullet'?"
-
-"Yes, Miss Griffin.  He is a friend of mine."
-
-"Or rather you are a great friend of his, I have heard--eh?"
-
-"Then you know him!" exclaimed the Doctor, much surprised.  "You met him
-abroad, I suppose?"  The girl did not reply.  She was puzzled at the
-curious connection between the red-haired man who had been her janitor
-and the ugly little Doctor who was Frank's friend.
-
-"I know him," she said at last.  "And being a friend of yours, he is a
-friend of ours."
-
-"That's so," declared the Doctor, laughing.  "Some people say ill things
-of him, but I have known him for some years, and he has always acted
-straight and honourably towards me."
-
-"Well," exclaimed the Professor with some impatience.  "Leave us, child.
-We want to get on with the examination of this paper which Doctor
-Diamond has just brought me."
-
-"Does it concern the Treasure of Israel, dad?" inquired the girl,
-walking up to his table.
-
-"Yes, dear.  It is a copy of the complete document, so you may imagine
-how deeply I'm interested in it."
-
-"Has Frank seen it?" she asked quickly, to which the Doctor replied in
-the affirmative.
-
-Then when the girl had, with some reluctance, left them together, they
-resumed their discussion.
-
-"We can discover nothing tangible without a knowledge of the cipher,"
-remarked Griffin very gravely.  "And in my belief, though it is here
-stated that the key is concealed in two separate cities, at the time of
-Holmboe's death he had it in his possession.  That was a portion of it
-which you rescued--the one folio in manuscript.  The typewritten
-document was evidently prepared to place before a financier with a view
-to the equipment of an expedition to Palestine.  But the additional
-manuscript was evidently a record of the cipher, together with its key.
-Have you a copy of it?"
-
-"Yes," replied the Doctor, taking from his breast-pocket some papers
-from among which he took a copy he had made in his own handwriting.  "As
-far as I could judge, the manuscript of which this is one folio,
-consisted of about seven folios.  I recollect quite well noticing, as I
-placed it in the stove, that certain characters in Hebrew were written
-upon it."
-
-"Well," exclaimed Griffin, spreading the copy of the half-destroyed leaf
-before him, "that the cipher is a numerical one is quite apparent.  It
-seems that it is based upon the waw sign, or sixth letter of the Hebrew
-alphabet.  Six is the sign of evil.  Nevertheless I have turned up the
-reference to Ezekiel, xli, 23, but cannot find anything unusual in the
-Hebrew text."
-
-"Because we do not possess the key," remarked the hunchback with a sigh.
-
-"Admitted.  But we have the basis of the calculation--the regular
-occurrence of the letter `w' or `v' in the text.  For days, nay, weeks,
-I have been trying to solve that problem, using each of the known
-cabalistic ciphers of the ancients, but without the slightest success."
-
-"It is an unknown cipher, without a doubt--even though you recognise the
-basis."
-
-"Numerical ciphers are always most difficult," Griffin declared.  "Yet
-was it not Edgar Allen Poe who declared that human ingenuity could not
-invent a cipher which human ingenuity could not solve.  I have tried my
-calculations upon the earliest known text, that preserved in St
-Petersburg--but in vain."
-
-"What do you think of the dead man's statement that the key is divided
-into two parts--one portion being concealed in each city?"
-
-"I don't accept that as genuine," declared the Professor.  "I regard it
-as a mere embellishment of facts, in order to prevent any one from
-trying to unriddle the message.  The unfortunate man ordered you to
-destroy the directions for reading the message, together with the
-statement itself."
-
-"I rather wish I had disobeyed," remarked the Doctor with a grin.  "The
-fact that it was in manuscript and not in typing shows that he would not
-trust any one with sight of it."
-
-"Which goes far to prove the truth of my argument.  There is a key
-number, depend upon it.  When once you have that, and we ascertain at
-what point to start, then the secret record will soon be revealed."
-
-"But how can we obtain it--that's the question," the Doctor said.  "I
-would like to know how far the inquiries of our enemies have advanced.
-This copy was obtained from the complete copy in their possession."
-
-"Who are our enemies?  Do you know them?" asked the Professor, starting
-forward quickly.
-
-"No.  My friend, though he had supplied me with this, refuses all
-information concerning them, except to say that they are both powerful
-and wealthy."
-
-"What do they know concerning the key?"
-
-"Not so much as ourselves.  They do not possess even the few words
-concerning it that we do."
-
-"But will not your friend divulge the identity of our enemies?" asked
-Griffin, "not if we take him into partnership with us, and allow him to
-share in the huge profits which must accrue if anything is actually
-recovered?"
-
-"I thought that your opinion upon the whole story was a negative one,"
-remarked the Doctor with a strangely wily look.
-
-The Professor, bent upon writing a learned article in the
-_Contemporary_, giving a story that should startle the world, held his
-breath for a moment.  But only for a single instant.
-
-"Well," he answered without hesitation, "at first I was, it is true,
-inclined to regard it as an amazing piece of fiction, but after certain
-researches and study I have now come to the conclusion that there may be
-more truth in it than would at first appear.  I, of course, regard it
-from a scholar's point of view, and not from that of a financier."
-
-"I believe in money," declared the ugly little man frankly.  "It should
-be put forward, when ripe, as a sound financial proposition--just as, no
-doubt, its discoverer, Peter Holmboe, intended to put it forward."
-
-"Then if so, why will not your friend Mullet join forces with us?  It
-would surely be to his advantage!"
-
-"Because he's tied to the other side."
-
-"If it has not prevented him from supplying us in secret with this copy
-of the document, it surely would not prevent him assisting us further,
-and placing us upon our guard regarding the actions of our enemies.
-Have you no idea, Doctor, how these other people obtained a copy of
-Holmboe's statement?  It surely could not have been kicking about the
-streets, having in view the fact that he was so careful to destroy it
-before his death."
-
-"I haven't any idea how they obtained it, or even their names.  My
-friend will tell me nothing."
-
-"Who is this man Mullet?  Have you any objection to telling me?"
-
-"The man whom your daughter was discussing--the man known to his friends
-as `Red Mullet'--is a cosmopolitan who lives mostly on the Continent,
-and, between ourselves, has the reputation of being an adventurer."
-
-"And a friend of my daughter!" the elder man exclaimed in surprise.
-"She seems to meet very undesirable people sometimes.  The latitude
-allowed to girls nowadays, Doctor, is very different from that of thirty
-years ago--eh?"
-
-"What can we expect in this age of the `New Woman' and the Suffragette?"
-laughed the other, holding up his hands.
-
-"But could we not induce this Mr Mullet to help us--or at least to
-reveal to us in what direction our enemies are working?  They have with
-them a very clever and ingenious scholar, of that I have already
-satisfied myself."
-
-"Ah!" sighed Diamond.  "If we only could get `Red Mullet' with us.  But
-I fear that there are certain circumstances which entirely preclude such
-an arrangement.  At least, that is what I suspect."
-
-"I wonder what my daughter can know of the man?" remarked Griffin,
-ignorant of the fact that Gwen's curiosity had got the better of her, or
-that the door being ajar she had heard the Doctor's statement.
-
-"It certainly does seem a rather curious fact that they are acquainted,"
-remarked the Doctor.  "But, Professor," he went on eagerly, "I suppose
-you now have no doubt that there is more in the remarkable story than
-mere surmise."
-
-Griffin was again silent for a few moments.
-
-"Providing that the sacred relics remain still hidden--and there
-certainly seems nothing against that belief, even though some have
-declared that Solomon's golden vessels were afterwards used in Persia--
-then we have, of course, precise knowledge of certain of them," he said
-with great deliberation.  Opening the Hebrew-English Bible at 2
-Chronicles, iv, 19, he said: "Listen to this as an example," and he read
-as follows:
-
-"`And Solomon made all the vessels that _were for_ the house of God, the
-golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shew-bread _was set_;
-
-"`Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn
-after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
-
-"`And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, _made he of_ gold,
-_and_ that perfect gold;
-
-"`And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers,
-_of_ pure gold; and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for
-the most holy _place_, and the doors of the house of the temple, _were_
-of gold.'
-
-"Concerning the Ark of the Covenant, which the cipher says still lies
-hidden, we have in the next chapter, commencing at verse 7:
-
-"`And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the Lord unto
-his place, to the oracle of the house, into the most holy _place, even_
-under the wings of the cherubim:
-
-"`For the cherubim spread forth _their_ wings over the place of the ark,
-and the cherubim covered the ark and the staves thereof above.
-
-"`And they drew out the staves _of the ark_ that the end of the staves
-were seen from the ark before the oracle, but they were not seen
-without.  And there it is unto this day.
-
-"`_There was_ nothing in the ark save the two tables which Moses put
-_therein_ at Horeb, when the Lord made _a covenant_ with the children of
-Israel, when they came out of Egypt.'
-
-"The gold, of course, came from the ancient Ophir," remarked the Doctor,
-"and curiously enough the site of this El Dorado has only recently been
-established by Dr Carl Peters as having been at Zimbabwe, and the
-surrounding region in south-eastern Mashonaland."
-
-"Yes," remarked the Professor.  "There is, I think, no question that
-Solomon obtained his gold from that district.  The old workings are said
-by Hall and Neal to number seventy-five thousand, and hundreds of
-thousands of tons of gold ore must have been dug out during the
-Himyaritic era.  The Kaffirs still call the place `Fur.' and the Arabs
-`Afur.'  It was from there that Solomon's ships brought the four hundred
-and twenty talents of gold mentioned in 1 Kings, ix, 26-28, and in 2
-Chronicles, viii, 17-18.  Again, we are told that in one year Solomon
-obtained six hundred and sixty-six talents of gold--each talent being
-worth eleven thousand pounds of our money--from the same region, most of
-which was used in the manufacture of the vessels for the temple."
-
-"Some of which we hope to recover, Professor," laughed the ugly little
-man.
-
-"We certainly might," sighed the other, "if only we could discover the
-solution of this most fascinating yet tantalising problem."
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR.
-
-A PAGE IN PICCADILLY.
-
-A long, grey, hundred-horse-power racing motor-car with its two glaring
-head-lamps drew suddenly up in the falling darkness before the big house
-in Berkeley Square, and from it stepped Sir Felix Challas in his heavy
-fur coat, cap and goggles.  He was a motor enthusiast, and declared that
-his runs on his high-power racer cleared the cobwebs from his brain, and
-braced up his nerves.
-
-He had started forth soon after breakfast, lunched at the Mermaid at
-Wansford, eighty miles away up the Great North Road, and was now home
-again, just as darkness had set in.
-
-He had sat beside his chauffeur in silence while being whirled along the
-great northern highway, for he always thought out the most ingenious of
-his schemes while travelling thus.
-
-Ere he had ascended the steps of the house, the splendid car, which only
-a few weeks before had made a record on the Brooklands track, moved off
-to the well-appointed garage, where he kept his three other cars.
-
-On entering his own luxurious little den on the left of the hall, he
-found Jim Jannaway comfortably ensconced before the fire, smoking one of
-his choicest cigars and with a whisky and soda at his elbow.
-
-"Hulloa!" exclaimed Sir Felix surprised.  "I thought you were on your
-way out to the East?  You were to have left this morning, weren't you?"
-And he threw off his heavy coat and stood with his back to the fire.
-
-"Yes.  But I've remained, because I've discovered something," replied
-the other.  "I've found out the reason why that girl Griffin got away."
-
-"Oh!  Why?" asked Challas quickly.  "It was a great misfortune for us.
-She's evidently discovered who we are, and why we wanted the
-information."
-
-"Well--he played us false."
-
-"Who--Mullet?"
-
-"Yes.  The girl appealed to his honour, and all that, and he found out
-that she was a friend of that Doctor Diamond, the fellow who attended
-Holmboe before he died and got hold of a portion of his papers.  This
-man, it appears, had befriended Mullet in some way--so he, like a fool,
-let her go."
-
-"Fool--idiot!" cried Challas.  "Then the brute's betrayed us!"
-
-"Absolutely!"
-
-"By letting the girl go, he's exposed us.  Griffin now knows that we are
-working against him.  And he is, according to old Erich, the only man we
-have to fear."
-
-"Except that man Farquhar, partner with Sir George Gavin, the newspaper
-owner."
-
-"Ah!  I forgot him.  But surely he doesn't count?"
-
-"Yes, he does," protested Jannaway.  "He's in love with the girl.  Hence
-we must see that he turns his back upon her, or there may be further
-trouble.  I foresee pretty awkward complications in that direction."
-
-"Very well, my dear boy, all that I leave to you," answered Sir Felix,
-with a heavy, thoughtful look.
-
-"But it does not lessen our danger.  If we're not careful we'll lose the
-thing altogether," Jannaway pointed out.  "I've been a full fortnight
-making careful investigations.  The Doctor called on Griffin the day
-before yesterday, and what's more, the girl has written to Charlie,
-asking him to meet her."
-
-"How have you found that out?"
-
-Jim Jannaway smiled.
-
-"No matter," he laughed.  "Except that Laura, the parlour-maid at
-Pembridge, is a friend of mine.  I took her to the Tivoli last Thursday.
-Told her I was a lawyer's clerk."
-
-"By Jove, Jim," exclaimed the Baronet, "you're always ingenious when
-you've set your mind on worming out a secret."
-
-"A little love costs nothing," laughed the nonchalant adventurer, "and
-very often does a lot."
-
-"Well, we must know what's going on between them, that's quite plain,"
-remarked Challas.  "I never expected Charlie to give us away."
-
-"Bah! he always was chicken-hearted where women were concerned.  He must
-have been in love once, I fancy, and hasn't got over the attack yet."
-
-"We must be very watchful, Jim."
-
-"That's why I didn't leave for Constantinople, as you suggested," was
-the other's reply, as he tossed the end of his cigar into the fire and
-lazily rose from his comfortable chair.  "My own idea, Felix, is that
-Charlie is growing far too scrupulous.  One day we shall have him in a
-fit of remorse making some nasty confession or other, taking the
-consequences, and putting us both into a confounded hole.  Think what it
-would mean for you!"
-
-"By Jove, yes!" gasped the other, turning pale at the very suggestion of
-exposure.  "We can't afford to risk that."
-
-"I maintain that if Charlie lets the girl escape us and give us away, as
-he has done, then he'll do something worse before long," exclaimed the
-crafty man with a curious glance at the Baronet, whose back was at that
-moment turned to him.
-
-Challas was silent.  He clearly saw the drift of the man's argument.
-
-"Well?" he asked at last, lowering his voice.  "What do you suggest?"
-
-"Suggest?  Why there's only one course open, my dear fellow," replied
-the other, glancing apprehensively at the door.  "Get rid of him while
-there's yet time."
-
-"He might retaliate."
-
-"Not if he's arrested over in France," Jannaway exclaimed.  "The French
-police won't bother over any information that he may give concerning us.
-Your reputation stands too high.  They'll only regard him as a type of
-gentlemanly blackmailer such as every wealthy man has to contend with.
-If we don't do that, then good-bye to all our hopes concerning Holmboe's
-secret," he added.
-
-"I fear I must agree with you, Jim," said the other, very slowly.  "He
-was a fool for not allowing you to force the truth from the girl.  I had
-intended that she should assist us, and--"
-
-"And by Heaven! she shall do so, even now, if you will only leave
-matters to me," interrupted the clever, good-looking adventurer, leaning
-his back easily against the table.
-
-"I leave them entirely to you," the Baronet answered quickly.  "Act just
-as you think fit, only remember there must be no exposure.  I can't
-afford that!"
-
-"The secret discovered by that fellow Holmboe shall be ours," declared
-Jim Jannaway, slowly and determinedly.
-
-"It might be, if only Erich could discover the key to that infernal
-cipher.  He told me yesterday that he suspected Professor Griffin had
-already solved the problem."
-
-"If he has, then I'll compel the girl to obtain it for us.  You
-understand!" he exclaimed quickly.
-
-"Even though Charlie has become a weak fool, moved to penitence by some
-tub-thumping revivalist perhaps, I intend to carry through the scheme I
-devised.  The secret of the treasure of Israel shall be ours, my dear
-Felix.  You shall be the great benefactor to the Jewish race, and
-discover the sacred relics so long concealed."
-
-"Benefactor!" echoed the red-faced man with a short dry laugh.  "Oh yes,
-I'll show the Jews how I can repay them in their own coin.  Only be
-careful--do, I beg of you.  Charlie is not the man to take a blow lying
-down, you know."
-
-"You ought to know me well enough to be fully aware that I never act
-without consideration," the younger man protested.  "Jim Jannaway is no
-fool at a game of checkmate, I think."
-
-"There was that affair in Bordeaux," remarked the Baronet in a rather
-hard voice.
-
-"You believe that Red Mullet knows something of that!" laughed Jim,
-admiring the fine diamond ring upon his finger.  "Bah, he is in entire
-ignorance.  It was an unfortunate incident, I admit.  But under the
-circumstances couldn't be helped.  But there--why need we recall it?
-You're so fond of dwelling upon unpleasant themes," he laughed.  "You
-gave an extra five thousand to the Hospital Saturday Fund as a
-conscience-soother, didn't you?"
-
-The Baronet turned upon his heel, and walked to his writing-table,
-whereon stood an electric lamp shaded with green silk.  Then, after
-turning over some letters, he asked suddenly:
-
-"When does that girl meet Charlie?"
-
-"To-night."
-
-"At her request?"
-
-"Yes."
-
-"Very well.  I leave everything to you," Sir Felix said with a
-mysterious smile.  "It would not be against our interests--if--well, if
-we had her in our hands again."
-
-Jim Jannaway nodded.  He understood the suggestion perfectly.
-
-"Charlie ought, I think, to be sent back to the Continent, don't you
-agree?" he asked.  "A timely warning that the police had learned of his
-return here, and he'd skip across by the next Channel service.  Once
-over there, matters would be quite easy.  The Leleu affair has never
-been cleared up, you know!" he added in a lower voice.
-
-"I leave it entirely in your hands," declared the plutocrat whom the
-public believed to be a high-minded philanthropist.  "Whatever you do
-must be on your own responsibility, recollect."
-
-"But with your money.  I want a couple of hundred."
-
-"Ah! hard up again, Jim," sighed the other.  But unlocking the safe
-opposite, the safe that contained the typed copy of the dead man's
-document, the Baronet took out some banknotes and handed them to his
-cat's-paw.
-
-They were French notes.  They were safer than English to give to persons
-like Jannaway, for the numbers could not be traced in cases of
-inquiries, while they could always be at once exchanged at any of the
-tourist offices.  Sir Felix Challas, though compelled to employ men of
-the racing-tout stamp like Jim Jannaway, and unscrupulous
-concession-hunters like "Red Mullet," was ever upon his guard.
-
-He trusted his men, but in "Red Mullet" he had confessed himself sadly
-disappointed.
-
-"Revivalists and missionaries have a lot to answer for," was one of his
-pet phrases.
-
-Jim Jannaway, slipping the notes into his pocket-book without troubling
-to count them, put on his smart overcoat and well-brushed silk hat, and
-wishing his employer an airy "good-evening," strolled out into the damp
-chilliness of Berkeley Square, where he hailed a hansom and drove away.
-
-He had given the man an address in Knightsbridge, but as the cab was
-turning from the misty gloom of Berkeley Street into the brightness of
-Piccadilly several persons were waiting at the left-hand kerb in order
-to cross the road.
-
-Among them he apparently recognised somebody, for in an instant he drew
-back and turned his head the other way.
-
-Next second the cab had rounded the corner and was on its way along
-Piccadilly.  Yet he knew that he had sat there for several moments in
-the full glare of the electric lights in front of the Ritz Hotel, and he
-felt convinced that he had been recognised by the very last person in
-the world that he desired to encounter.
-
-Jannaway sat there breathless, staring straight before him into the
-yellow mist, his eyes glaring as though an apparition had arisen before
-him.
-
-He tried to laugh away his fears.  After all, it must be only fancy, he
-reflected.  Somebody bearing a strange resemblance.  It could not be
-she!  Impossible.  Utterly impossible.
-
-But if it had been she in the flesh--if she had in that instant actually
-recognised him!  What then!
-
-He huddled himself in the corner of the cab, coward that he was, and
-shuddered at the recollections that crowded through his mind.
-
-Would he ever have entered that hansom if he had known that it would
-carry him into such exposure--and worse?
-
-But from Jim Jannaway's lips there fell a short bitter laugh.  Was not
-his life made up by narrow "shaves?"  Had not he been in hundreds of
-tight corners before, and with his wonderful tact and almost devilish
-cunning wriggled out of what would have meant ruin and imprisonment to
-any other man.
-
-He had been a born adventurer, ever since his day as a stable-lad down
-at Newmarket, and he had the habit of laughing lightly at his own
-adventures, just as he was laughing now.
-
-Would he have laughed, however, if he had but known how that chance
-encounter was to result?
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.
-
-THE GIRL AND THE MAN.
-
-Gwen Griffin had appointed half-past eight as the hour to meet her
-mysterious friend "Red Mullet" outside the "Tube" station at the corner
-of Queen's Road, Bayswater.
-
-Immediately after dinner she had slipped up to her room, exchanging her
-silk blouse for a stuff one, and putting on her hat and fur jacket, went
-out, leaving her father alone in the study.  He was--as now was his
-habit every evening--busy making those bewildering calculations, as he
-tested the various numerical ciphers upon the original Hebrew text of
-Ezekiel.
-
-Through the damp misty night she hurried along the Bayswater Road, until
-she came within the zone of electricity around the station, where she
-saw the tall figure of her friend, wearing a heavy overcoat and dark
-green felt hat, awaiting her.
-
-"This is really a most pleasant surprise, Miss Griffin," he cried
-cheerily, as he raised his hat, and took her little gloved hand.  "But--
-well, we can't walk about the street in order to talk, can we?  Why not
-drive to my rooms?  You're not afraid of me now--are you?" he laughed.
-
-"No, Mr Mullet," was her quick answer.  "I trust you, because you have
-already proved yourself my good friend."
-
-Truth to tell, however, she was not eager to go to that place where she
-had spent those anxious never-to-be-forgotten days, yet, as he suggested
-it, she could not very well refuse.  One thing was quite certain, she
-was as safe in his hands as in her own home.
-
-Therefore, he hailed a "taxi" from the rank across the way, and they at
-once drove in the direction of the Marble Arch.
-
-Hardly, however, had they left the kerb, when a second "taxi" upon the
-rank, turned suddenly into the roadway and followed them.  Within,
-lolling back and well-concealed in the darkness, sat Jim Jannaway.
-
-A quarter of an hour later, Mullet let himself in with his latch-key,
-and the girl ascended those carpeted stairs she recollected so well.
-
-In his own warm room Mullet stirred the fire until it blazed merrily,
-and then helping the girl off with her jacket, drew up a chair for her,
-taking one himself.
-
-Her sweet innocent face, frankness of manner, and neatness of dress
-charmed him again, as it had when he had been forced against his will to
-keep her prisoner there.  As he gazed across at her, he, careless
-adventurer that he had been for years, a man, with a dozen _aliases_ and
-as many different abodes, recollected their strange _menage_.
-
-"Well," he said with a smile, "I was really delighted to get a note from
-you, Miss Griffin.  You said in it that you wished to consult me.  What
-about?"
-
-"About several things, Mr Mullet," answered the girl, leaning her elbow
-upon the chair arm and looking straight in his face.  "First, I am very
-unhappy.  My position is an extremely uncomfortable one."
-
-"How?"
-
-"I have kept the promise of silence I gave you, and as a consequence
-Frank Farquhar, the man to whom I was engaged, has left me."
-
-"Left you!" he echoed.  "He suspects something wrong--eh?"
-
-She nodded in the affirmative.
-
-"That's bad, Miss Gwen--very bad!" he said with a changed countenance.
-"I know well what you must suffer, poor girl.  You love him--eh?"
-
-"Very dearly."
-
-"And I am the cause of your estrangement," he remarked in a low
-sympathetic tone.
-
-"Ah! it was not your fault, Mr Mullet," she cried, "I know that.  Do
-not think that I am blaming you.  The real blackguard is that red-faced
-man and his accomplice--the man who enticed me here on such a plausible
-pretext."
-
-"I am also to blame.  Miss Gwen," replied the big fellow with the
-bristly red moustache.  "A deep game is being played, and, alas!  I am
-compelled to be one of the players.  It is being played against your
-father."
-
-"I know that," she said.  "I overheard Doctor Diamond telling my father
-how you had furnished him with a copy of that document describing the
-remarkable discovery of Professor Holmboe."
-
-"Hush!" cried Mullet quickly, glancing at the door that stood slightly
-ajar.  "There's nobody here, for the man who usually does for me is ill.
-Yet we'd better not discuss that action of mine, Miss Gwen.  I only did
-it in order to repay in part a great service the little Doctor has
-rendered me.  So," he added, "the Doctor took the copy to your father?"
-
-"Yes.  He had previously, through Mr Farquhar, consulted my father
-regarding the half-burnt fragments in his possession.  But the other day
-he came, bearing the full document, which they discussed for a couple of
-hours or more.  Now, Mr Mullet," she said, "you have been a very good
-and kind friend to me; therefore, I'm wondering if you would render us a
-further service?"
-
-"Anything in my power I will most willingly do," replied the _blase_
-man, seeking permission to light his cigarette.
-
-"I first want to know," she exclaimed, "who is that blackguard who came
-here and demanded to know my father's business?"
-
-"He's a person of whom you need have no concern," was his evasive reply.
-
-"But he possesses a copy of the statement by Professor Holmboe?"
-
-"He does.  And he has instituted an active search in which three of the
-greatest scholars on the Continent are assisting, in order to ascertain
-the key to the cipher alleged by the Russian professor to exist in the
-prophecy of Ezekiel."
-
-"But does he possess any manuscript of the Professor's relating to the
-cipher?" inquired the girl, eagerly.
-
-"Ah! that I do not know," was his answer, "as far as I'm aware, he does
-not."
-
-"Nothing definite has yet been ascertained, I suppose?"
-
-"Nothing actually definite," he said.  "But you can tell your father
-that Erich Haupt believes that at last he has struck the right line of
-inquiry."
-
-"Haupt!" she repeated.  "Who is he?"
-
-"Your father will know him as the great professor of Leipzig.  He is now
-staying at the Waldorf Hotel."
-
-"But--well, Mr Mullet," she said with some hesitation.  "Pardon me for
-saying so, but your friends seem a very unscrupulous and remarkable
-lot."
-
-"And they are just as influential as they are unscrupulous," he laughed.
-Then growing serious next moment, he added with a sigh, "Ah!  Miss
-Gwen, if you only knew all, you'd realise how very delighted I'd be to
-cut myself adrift from such a rascally association."
-
-"Why don't you?" she asked, looking straight into his eyes.  "This
-business of the treasure of Israel is surely a big and lucrative one.
-Why don't you leave them, and join my father, Mr Farquhar, and Doctor
-Diamond?"
-
-"Well--shall I tell you the truth, Miss Griffin?" he asked, blowing a
-cloud of smoke from his lips as he contemplated the red end of his
-cigarette, "Because--well, because I dare not!"
-
-"Dare not?"
-
-"No," he said in a strained voice.  "You see my part has not been an
-altogether blameless one.  Need I explain more than to say that very
-often, for my very bread, I have to depend upon these persons who are
-working against your father."
-
-The girl sighed, a painful expression crossing her brow.
-
-"I wish I could help you, Mr Mullet," she said seriously.  "Can't you
-possibly disassociate yourself from those scoundrels?"
-
-He shook his head sadly.
-
-The next instant she turned towards the door exclaiming:
-
-"Hark!  What was that?  I heard a noise!"
-
-"Nothing," he laughed.  "The window of the next room is open a little,
-and the wind has blown the door to."
-
-By this, she was reassured, even though she feared that the horrid
-red-faced man whose name he refused to tell her, might again reappear
-there as her inquisitor.
-
-"It seems to me," she said, "that your friends, whoever they are, are
-dishonourable men whose bread you are compelled to eat.  Surely you are
-in a position quite as wretched as I am?"
-
-"Yes," he admitted.  "But do me one favour, Miss Gwen.  Never breathe to
-a soul that I've handed the copy of that document to the Doctor.  If
-they knew that, they would never forgive me."
-
-"I will remain silent, and I'll tell my father also to regard your
-action as confidential."
-
-"Tell Mr Farquhar also," he urged.
-
-"Ah!" sighed the girl.  "Unfortunately I never see him now.  He always
-meets my father at the Royal Societies Club--in order to avoid me."
-
-"Then there is an actual breach between you?"
-
-"Yes," she replied hoarsely.  "He asked me certain questions, to which I
-could not reply without betraying you."
-
-"And you risked your love for a worthless fellow like myself!"
-
-"Well?  And did you not risk your liberty for my sake?" she asked.  "Did
-you not protect me from that blackguard who would have struck me because
-I refused to answer his questions?"
-
-"Oh, that was nothing, Miss Gwen.  I am thinking of you."
-
-"Can you--will you assist my father?" she urged.  "For myself I care
-nothing.  But for my father's reputation--in order to enhance it, and
-also that through him Israel shall recover her sacred relics, I am ready
-to sacrifice anything.  Disassociate yourself from these men, and assist
-us, Mr Mullet.  Do."
-
-"That is, alas! impossible," was his slow response.  "It would mean my
-instant ruin.  Would it not be better if I remained in the enemy's camp?
-Reflect for a moment."
-
-"I wish you could meet my father," she said.
-
-"Well, if he'd really like to see me, perhaps I might call upon him."
-
-"He wants so much to know you.  He was only saying so when we sat
-together last night after dinner."
-
-"But you know, Miss Gwen, I'm not the sort of man that he would care to
-associate with."
-
-"You have been my friend and protector, Mr Mullet, and surely that is
-sufficient I have always found you a gentleman--more so than many others
-who pose as honest men."
-
-"Well," he said.  "I don't pose.  I've told you the simple truth."
-
-"And I admire you for it.  You once said you'd tell me all about your
-own little daughter."
-
-He was silent for a moment, and she saw she had touched a tender chord
-in his memory.
-
-"I'll tell you about little Aggie one day; not now, please, Miss
-Griffin."
-
-"Well, tell me, then, why your friends are so antagonistic towards my
-father?"
-
-"For several reasons.  One is that the man you don't like--the one with
-the red-face--is a fierce hater of the Jewish race.  His own avarice
-knows no bounds, and he has sworn to recover the treasure of Israel if
-it still exists and when recovered he will break up and melt the sacred
-vessels and destroy the sacred relies in order to exhibit to the Jews
-his malice and his power."
-
-"Why, it would be disgraceful to desecrate such objects--even though he
-is a Gentile."
-
-"Certainly.  But your father's known leaning towards the Jews--his
-friendship with certain Rabbis, and the assistance he has once or twice
-rendered the Jewish community in London, have aroused the ire of this
-man, who is now his bitterest and most unscrupulous opponent."
-
-"Then you can assist us, Mr Mullet--if you will."
-
-"I fear that is impossible--certainly not openly," was his reply.
-"Personally, I would not lift a finger to help one whose fixed idea is
-despoliation and desecration of the sacred objects.  My sympathies, my
-dear Miss Gwen, are entirely with you in your own unfortunate position,
-and with your father in his strenuous efforts to discover the key to
-this cipher, and afterwards place the expedition to Palestine upon a
-firm business basis, the most sacred treasures to be handed over to
-their rightful owners, the Jews."
-
-"Why does this man, whose name you refuse to tell me, so hate the Jews?"
-
-"Because, in certain of his huge financial dealings, they have actually
-ousted him by their shrewdness combined with honesty," he answered.  "It
-has ever been, and still is, the accepted fashion to cast opprobrium
-upon the Jews.  Yet, in my varied career, I have often found a Jew more
-honest than a Christian, and certainly he never hides dishonesty beneath
-a cloak of religion in which he does not believe, as do so many of your
-so-called Christians in the City."
-
-"Then you are, like my father, an admirer of the Hebrew race?" she said,
-rather surprised.
-
-"I am.  In them as a class I find no cant or hypocrisy, no humbug of
-their clerical life as we have it, alas! apparent so often in our own
-churches, while among the Jews themselves a helpful hand is outstretched
-everywhere.  They settle their own quarrels in their own courts of law
-and they adhere strictly to their religious teaching.  Of course, there
-are good and bad Jews, as there are good and bad Christians.  But with
-the anti-Jewish feeling so apparent everywhere throughout Europe, I have
-nothing in common."
-
-"And because of that, Mr Mullet, you will assist us--won't you?" she
-urged.
-
-The red-haired adventurer hesitated.
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY SIX.
-
-IN WHICH A DESPERATE GAME IS PLAYED.
-
-"To serve you, Miss Gwen, and to return a favour to my friend the
-Doctor, I'll keep you informed of what transpires on our side," he
-promised at last.  "I'd like to call and see your father.  When's the
-best time?"
-
-"He will be pleased to see you at any time you may appoint!  Why not
-ring me up on the telephone--if you are not able to make an appointment
-now?"
-
-"Very well," he replied, "I will."
-
-He saw that she wanted to ask him something, but was hesitating, as
-though not daring to put her question.
-
-At last she asked:
-
-"Mr Mullet, will you not reveal to me in confidence who it is who is
-thus working against us?"
-
-"A person of highest reputation as far as financial reputation in London
-goes, and of enormous influence.  He has at his service every power that
-wealth can command."
-
-"And is he nameless?"
-
-"Alas! he must be," was "Red Mullet's" decisive answer.  The truth was
-that he feared to tell the girl, lest her surprise might lead her to
-expose the secret, which must at once reflect upon herself.  He was glad
-that she had not recognised Challas from the many photographs which so
-constantly appeared in the illustrated papers.
-
-A door somewhere in the small flat clicked again, but neither took any
-notice of it, attributing it to the wind from the open window.
-
-They had no suspicion of an eavesdropper who had silently entered after
-them with the latch-key he possessed, and had just as silently left
-again, and crept down the stairs.
-
-"Miss Gwen," exclaimed her friend a few moments later, "I would really
-urge you to have a care of yourself.  Your enemies evidently mean
-mischief.  You have, by a blackguardly ruse, been parted from the man
-you love--hence you are defenceless."
-
-"Except for you--my true friend."
-
-"I may have to leave London suddenly, while at any moment, you may, if
-you are not careful, fall again into the net they will, no doubt, spread
-and cleverly conceal.  They fear your father and his friends, and from
-him will demand a price for you--a price for your honour, most likely."
-
-"What do you mean?" she cried, starting, and staring at him.
-
-"I am compelled to speak frankly, Miss Gwen; please forgive me," he
-said.  "I know these men, remember.  I know they will hesitate at
-nothing in order to gain their dastardly ends.  They will compel your
-father to pay the price--and it will be the relinquishing of the
-struggle, and the leaving of it to them."
-
-"We will never relinquish it!" declared the girl.  "But do have a care
-of yourself," urged the man with the bristly moustache in deep
-earnestness.  "If you again fall into the hands of these two men, you
-will not, I fear, escape without disaster."
-
-"I know that, alas! only too well.  I owe everything to your kindness
-and the pity you had for me.  How can I ever sufficiently repay you?"
-
-"You are now repairing me--repaying me with all you love most dearly.
-Your silence has cost you your lover."
-
-She sighed, and hot tears rose to her splendid eyes.  He was quick to
-notice her sudden change, and deftly turned the conversation into a
-different channel.
-
-Then, when he had smoked another cigarette, chatting the while, he
-reminded her to tell her father of Erich Haupt, and to say that he, "Red
-Mullet", would call on the following day.
-
-At last they descended together into the street, and at the corner of
-Oxford Street entered into a taxi-cab in which they drove back to
-Notting Hill Gate station.
-
-There he raised his hat as she descended and hurried across into
-Pembridge Gardens, while he gave the man directions to return to his own
-chambers.
-
-"By Jove!" he exclaimed, aloud, as they went along the Bayswater Road
-with the horn "honking."
-
-"The whole situation is now a terribly complicated one.  To throw in my
-lot with the Professor and his daughter would mean a `stretch' for me,
-without a doubt.  Challas is vindictive, because I allowed her to escape
-from his infernal clutches.  He meant to serve her the same as he did
-that poor young German girl!  Hang me!  I may be an outsider, but I'm
-not going to stand by and see another woman fall a victim.  Now what is
-the best game to play in the interests of Griffin and Diamond?  Stand
-by, watch old Erich, and if he gets hold of anything tangible, give it
-to them at once.  That's the only way that I can see.  Yet--yet I may
-already be suspected of playing a double game--and if I am, it means
-that I'll be given away to the police at the first opportunity.  No," he
-added with great bitterness, "in this game Felix Challas and Jim
-Jannaway hold all the cards.  Money talks here, and it does always," he
-sighed.
-
-And he sat back in his cab in a deep reverie.  Already he was tired of
-London, though he had not set foot in it for three years.  He was too
-near Challas.  When absent on the Continent, he simply obeyed orders,
-and led the easy-going life of the cosmopolitan concession-hunter,
-always well-dressed, always apparently flush of money, always merry and
-prosperous-looking, and always outwardly, at least, presenting the
-appearance of a gentleman.
-
-Here, in London, however, he was simply the cat's-paw of an unscrupulous
-parvenu who cloaked his evil doings beneath the remarkable sanctity and
-generous philanthropy.
-
-"It's a blackguardly shame that poor little Gwen, a smart little girl
-and yet sweet and innocent as a child, should be parted from her lover
-like this!" he went on, still murmuring to himself.  "No doubt this man
-Farquhar, whoever he is, doubts her.  I'd do the same if the girl to
-whom I was engaged ran away from home, stayed away a few days, and then
-on her return refused to give any account of herself.  Frank Farquhar
-isn't a fool, and I admire him for that.  I'm to blame for the whole
-thing," he added with a bitter imprecation, "because I'm a coward and
-fear nowadays to face the music.  Yes," he went on, "Red Mullet is in
-fear of his enemies!  It's no good denying it.  Hitherto he's always
-defied them, even at the muzzle of a gun!  But recently they've become
-just one too many for him!"
-
-He paused and lit a cigarette.  Then with a sudden gesture of despair he
-asked himself aloud: "How can I assist the little girl to get back her
-lover?  Frank Farquhar is a good fellow, I've discovered.  And he's
-devoted to her.  How can I compel him to believe in her?"
-
-When he entered his chambers, he flung himself again into the armchair
-in which Gwen had sat.
-
-"It would be a cursed shame if ever the sacred relics of Israel fell
-into the hands of such a blackguardly hypocrite as Challas.  What does
-he care for their antiquity, or their religious significance?  Nothing.
-The gold he'd melt down and sell at its market value per ounce, while
-the sacred objects of the Holy of Holies he would wantonly destroy, in
-face of the Jews and in order to laugh them to scorn.  He shan't do
-that!  By Heaven! he shan't.  If the treasure is still there it shall be
-recovered by the Doctor and Griffin.  I'll help them, and I'll still
-remain little Gwen's protector, even if it costs me my liberty to do so.
-Besides--"
-
-His fierce words of determination were interrupted by a ring at the
-front door bell, and he went along the small hall to open it.
-
-Jim Jannaway, in a light overcoat and crush hat, stood upon the mat.
-
-"By Jove, Charlie!" he cried, "I'm jolly glad you're at home, old chap!"
-
-"Why?" asked Mullet admitting him, and closing the door.
-
-"Well, my dear fellow," he said in a breathless voice.  "Something ugly
-has happened.  You've been given away.  Somebody has recognised that
-you're back in London!"
-
-"Who?" gasped the red-haired man.
-
-"Ah! that we don't know yet.  The `boss' has just sent me round to tell
-you to clear out at once--this instant!"
-
-"H'm," remarked "Red Mullet."  "Now that's deuced funny!  Why didn't he
-keep his fears to himself, and let me take the consequences--eh?"
-
-"Why, of course he wouldn't do that.  He never lets us down--you surely
-know him too well for that," remarked the other.
-
-"And he gives me the tip to clear out!" said Charlie Mullet.  "It's
-really very kind and considerate of him."
-
-"Well, my dear fellow.  You don't seem to appreciate his kindness very
-much."
-
-"I never appreciate the solicitude of my enemies, my dear Jim," he
-replied with perfect nonchalance.  "It's my failing, I suppose."
-
-Jannaway disregarded the sarcasm, and said:
-
-"I was with him only half an hour ago round in Berkeley Square, and he
-told me to come along at once to you, and urge you to get away.  He gave
-me these for you," and from his pocket he produced three thousand-franc
-notes.
-
-"My dear Jim, both you and Felix seem to take me for a silly mug,"
-laughed Red Mullet defiantly, "but you must please remember that I've
-been mug-hunting too long to be bluffed like this.  The exemplary
-Baronet is desirous that I should leave London, and sends you, his
-emissary, to give me timely warning.  Well, my dear boy.  I want no
-warning," he said, for he was now on his mettle.  "I shall simply remain
-here.  If they send anybody from Scotland Yard--well, here's a drink for
-them," and he indicated the tantalus and glasses upon a side table.
-
-"But surely you don't wish to remain here, and give the whole game
-away!" cried Jannaway, anxiously, standing in the centre of the room,
-his hat pushed slightly to the back of his head.
-
-"What does it matter to me?  I never move without just cause.  I'm
-growing rather sceptical in my old age.  What proof have I of this
-extraordinary _contretemps_?"
-
-"What proof do you want?  I'm here to warn you.  Are you a fool,
-Charlie?"
-
-"Yes.  Until I know why this warning has been given me.  How does Felix
-know?"
-
-"He has a pal down at Scotland Yard--a sergeant whom he helped `over the
-stile' a few years ago.  He gives him valuable tips sometimes.  One of
-them is that you've been recognised, and that the warrant has been given
-for your arrest to-night."
-
-"Ah, my boy," replied "Red Mullet," lighting a fresh cigarette without
-turning a hair, "that's really interesting.  And if I go down to Bow
-Street depend upon it I shan't go alone.  So you can just go back to
-Berkeley Square, and tell Felix what I say."
-
-"Why--what's the matter with you to-night, Charlie?" asked the other,
-looking at him in surprise.
-
-What could the man know, he wondered?  He seemed to scent the betrayal
-intended as soon as he was across the Channel.
-
-"Matter?" he echoed.  "Why, my dear Jim, I merely keep my eyes skinned,
-that's all."
-
-"And you refuse to heed Felix's warning?"
-
-"Yes, I'm very comfortable at home here--and here I mean to stay.  Let
-the police come along if they like and I'll entertain them with a very
-interesting story.  They re fond of hearing stories from men like
-myself, Jim."
-
-"What the devil is the matter with you!" cried Jannaway, turning upon
-him fiercely.
-
-"Nothing, I'm only surprised to find you such a fool, Jim.  I thought
-better of you," was the other's calm response.  "Do you know," he added,
-"you people who live in London want the moss scraped off you.  We boys
-on the Continent are a lot sharper.  We see the word danger written up,
-even when it's beyond the horizon and the detective is still off the
-map.  You people here deliberately run your heads into nooses."
-
-"How?"
-
-"Well, you and Felix have arranged the little loop for yourselves in
-this affair, my dear boy.  So do go home and sleep on it," he laughed
-merrily.
-
-"You're a fool!" declared the other, turning from him impatiently.
-
-"Of course.  I'm a fool for not falling into the very clever trap which
-Sir Felix Challas and his sharp `cat's-paw', Jim Jannaway, have laid for
-me," he answered, looking the fellow straight in the face.
-
-"Bah!  All this quarrel arises over a girl--a little chit of a girl who,
-after all, hasn't much of a reputation to lose."
-
-"And to whom do you refer, pray?" asked Charlie, indignantly.
-
-"To Griffin's girl, of course--the girl who was with you so long in
-these chambers, and whom you pretended to regard with such paternal
-care," he sneered.
-
-"You cast a slur upon the poor girl who was your victim!" cried the
-red-haired man angrily.
-
-"I cast no slur.  I speak the truth."
-
-"Then you're an accursed liar!" cried Mullet, angrily.  "Having failed
-to entrap her, you come here to-night to try and have me!  But your ruse
-is a little bit too thin!  Let the police come and learn from me the
-truth concerning our beautiful Birthday Baronet!  I'll welcome them.  So
-first go back with my compliments to Berkeley Square."
-
-"Then your intention, now you're in danger, is to give us away--eh?"
-exclaimed Jannaway, now flushed and excited.  And in a second he had
-snatched up a heavy bronze ornament from the mantelshelf, intending to
-bring it down upon the other's head with a blow that must have crushed
-him.
-
-In an instant, however, Mullet was on his guard.  He was not a man to be
-taken by surprise.
-
-"Now put that down at once, Jim, and clear out of my rooms," he cried,
-and Jannaway found himself looking down the plated barrel of a
-serviceable-looking Smith-Wesson revolver.
-
-"Curse you!" cried the man, and he cast the ornament heavily upon the
-floor.
-
-"My dear Jim," said the other, "the best place for you would really be
-on the Continent.  You would learn wisdom, and would never attempt a
-bluff on a pal like this.  You can't attempt a four-flush with me, you
-know.  So first go back to the `Birthday Money-Spinner' and tell him
-`Red Mullet's' decision is to remain in London, and if necessary--to
-tell Scotland Yard the tale!"
-
-"But--"
-
-"Curse you!  There are no buts!" cried Red Mullet, his eyes now flashing
-with anger while he held his revolver straight at his enemy's head.
-"Out of my rooms with you, or by Gad!  I'll plug you!  I see through
-your clever little game.  Once I'm over there, then you'd send me to
-prison without the least compunction--because I let the girl slip
-through your blackguardly fingers.  But no more gas.  I mean business
-to-night.  Out you go--and quick!"
-
-"You wouldn't say this if I had a gun!" remarked Jannaway between his
-teeth.
-
-"I care less for your gun than I do for you, my dear boy," laughed "Red
-Mullet;" "go back to Challas, and tell him that to-night he's tried to
-bluff the wrong man, and that he'll have to pay heavily for losing the
-game."
-
-"You talk like an idiot."
-
-"And you've acted as one.  Out and begone!"
-
-And the man who, when he had entered, believed that he held all the
-honours in the game, was compelled to walk slowly out beneath the
-threatening muzzle of the weapon, cowed and vanquished.
-
-"And now, Jim Jannaway!"  Mullet cried, when he was on the threshold,
-"send your detectives along as soon as you like, for I'll go to bed in
-an hour, and if they come afterwards I shan't admit them.  Understand
-that?  Good-night and bad luck to you!"  And with a laugh he slammed the
-door.
-
-Then he held his breath, and stood staring straight before him,
-wondering whether that bold action had not been his own undoing.
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN.
-
-EXPLAINS FRANK'S ATTITUDE.
-
-Christmas had passed, the New Year had been welcomed, its advent quickly
-forgotten, and London now lay dark and fog-bound in the yellow gloomy
-days of mid-January.
-
-As far as Professor Griffin was concerned, little had occurred.  His
-surprise when Gwen had told him of Erich Haupt being interested in the
-investigation of the secret was unbounded, and he had taken a cab at
-once to the Waldorf Hotel.  He was anxious to meet the great German
-scholar, but was disappointed to learn that he had suddenly left the
-hotel on the previous night for the Continent.
-
-Once again was he prevented from meeting the man who was working in
-opposition to him, even though he was now aware of his identity.
-
-It puzzled him, as it also puzzled Diamond and Gwen, to know who was
-behind the German scholar.  That there was some one was evident from
-what the girl had admitted.  But his identity was still kept a profound
-secret.
-
-Gwen had expected to be rung up on the telephone by Mullet, but having
-waited for three anxious days, found his number in the telephone
-directory and rang him up.  She did so on four different occasions, but
-on each the response from the exchange was the same.  "No reply."
-
-What could have happened?
-
-Was it possible that he could have left hurriedly for the Continent?
-She recollected how he had told her that perhaps he would be compelled,
-by force of circumstances, to leave London, and leave her alone.  She
-wrote him a brief note, and posted it, hoping that it might be forwarded
-to him.
-
-Then she had waited--for nearly four long weeks.
-
-Doctor Diamond came up from Horsford on several occasions, but the
-interviews he had with the Professor carried them no further.  The key
-to the cipher was still an enigma which none could solve.
-
-Griffin's one thought was of Erich Haupt.  He had returned to the
-Continent.  Perhaps he was hot upon a solution of the tantalising
-problem.
-
-In those four weeks, with the interval of a dreary Christmas spent alone
-with her father, nothing startling had occurred.  The estrangement had
-driven Frank Farquhar to distraction.  Jealousy had caused him to think
-ill of the girl he so dearly loved, and in order to try and forget, he
-had gone South for a week or so at Monte Carlo.  But as soon as he
-stepped inside the Hotel de Paris, he had longed to be back again at
-Gwen's side in Pembridge Gardens.  The smart women he saw in their white
-serge gowns, golden chatelaines, and picture hats, all nauseated him.
-Of the lilies of France, none were half so fair as his own sweet English
-rose.  Christmas he had spent with a big and merry house-party up in the
-Highlands, but the gaiety of it all bored him to death, and at last,
-when he returned in the New Year, he had, after a severe struggle with
-himself, driven down to Notting Hill Gate, and again bowed over the soft
-little hand of the girl whose wonderful eyes held him in such complete
-fascination.
-
-For Gwen, that evening was a never-to-be-forgotten one.
-
-She was seated by the fire at the further end of the study buried in the
-big saddle-bag chair with a book, while her father was busily writing,
-when the maid announced the young man's arrival.
-
-She held her breath.  Her heart gave a great bound, and then stopped and
-she sat rigid, her face blanched, her hands grasping the arms of the
-chair.
-
-She heard his well-known voice, and rising slowly, faced him without a
-word.
-
-And he, without a word also, took her hand, bowing gallantly over it.
-
-Then, with a half-timid look into her pretty face, he stammered:
-
-"I--I've been wondering, Gwen, how you've been all this time.  I've been
-away, first at Monte Carlo and afterwards up in Scotland.  How did you
-spend your Christmas?"
-
-"Well--it was not very exciting," she laughed, "was it, dad?"
-
-"No, my dear," replied the old man, "I fear it was a very very dull time
-for you."
-
-Her lover glanced at her, and she saw by the expression of his eyes that
-he was full of genuine regret.  That absence had, indeed, caused both
-their hearts to yearn for each other.  He had, alas! been too hasty, he
-declared within himself.  Would she ever forgive him?  Would she ever
-allow him to kiss her again upon the lips?
-
-Before her father his greeting was, of necessity, a somewhat formal one;
-besides, he was compelled to sit and discuss with him the present
-situation, and ask his opinion as to the next move in the game.
-
-"The possession of a complete copy of Holmboe's statement has carried us
-a good deal further.  Professor," he said, "but how are we now to act?"
-
-"I really don't know, my dear Farquhar," was the elder man's response,
-as he rubbed his big round glasses.
-
-"I only wish this man Mullet would tell Diamond a little more," he
-sighed.  "We ought to discover who is directing the opposition against
-us."
-
-"That's just where we are so completely handicapped.  We're handicapped
-in two directions," said the Professor.  "First, we remain in ignorance
-of the identity of our enemy, and secondly we are at a loss to discover
-the key to the cipher.  We now know the truth concerning the Russian's
-discovery, and naturally we are beckoned on to see what more may be
-added to the mental outfit of our religion and our civilisation, by
-recovering the sacred treasures that yet remain.  The occasional
-excavations scattered through the last two centuries in Palestine,
-Egypt, Rome and Assyria, have shown but a fraction of all that has to be
-done.  Such a prospect is most attractive, and if we could but find the
-key to the cipher the interest of the whole Jewish race would instantly
-be stimulated, and we should certainly not lack funds for the
-expedition, the purchase of the land in question, and the necessary
-excavations.  It would be a great undertaking of international
-co-operation, but no loophole must be allowed for vandalism and
-wrecking, of which we have so much evidence in the past few centuries.
-Such wrecking is, alas! by no means unknown, even down to our day.  The
-Department of Antiquities in Egypt, for instance, at the present moment,
-sells the right to dig up and destroy all the Roman buildings in Egypt
-at so much per thousand bricks removed by the speculators!  We must
-allow no such sort of speculation with the treasures of Israel."
-
-"I take it, Professor, that our opponents are anti-Semitics of the most
-pronounced type," said Farquhar.  "At least, so the Doctor informs me.
-Once it is in their hand their chief object will be to destroy the
-sacred relics, and melt down the golden vessels.  Diamond says, that
-according to his information, those working against us are rich, and
-have no need of gain.  The whole of their energies are directed towards
-an anti-Semitic demonstration--one that would convulse the whole
-civilised world."
-
-"We will not allow it, Farquhar!" cried the old Hebrew scholar, bringing
-his hand down heavily upon his writing-table.  "I am not a Jew, but
-while it remains within my power I will never allow the sacred relics of
-Israel to be desecrated."
-
-"If they exist," added Gwen from the depths of her armchair.
-
-"They do exist!" exclaimed her father, "of that I now feel quite
-convinced.  At first I was very sceptical, but I have spent many weeks
-in close and ardent study, and my first opinion is now greatly
-modified."
-
-"And you anticipate that we shall one day gain a knowledge of the mode
-of reaching that cipher record?" asked Frank, eagerly.
-
-"I fervently hope so," was the elder man's response.  "I hope so in the
-interests of the Hebrew race.  As soon as I write my article in the
-_Contemporary_ or in the _Jewish Chronicle_, the world will instantly be
-agog."
-
-"But until you have read the hidden message for yourself you will write
-nothing?" remarked Farquhar.
-
-"Of course not.  We must closely preserve the secret for the present.
-Not a soul must know, or Holmboe's discovery will most certainly get to
-the ears of some enterprising journalist.  Why, we'd be having one of
-your papers, Frank, sending out an expedition in search of the Ark of
-the Covenant!" he laughed.  "And that would surely be fatal."
-
-Farquhar held his breath for a few seconds.
-
-"Why fatal, Professor?" he asked, for it was at the bade of his head to
-suggest to Sir George the advisability of despatching an expedition when
-the time was ripe.
-
-"Fatal to the scheme as well as to the newspaper," was the elder man's
-response.  "Even you modern journalists cannot make money by exploiting
-sacred relics of such importance."
-
-"No, but we could investigate for the benefit of the Hebrew race.  We
-sorely would not lose prestige by that?"
-
-"Yes, you would.  No Jew, or even Christian for that matter, would ever
-believe that a newspaper defrayed the cost of an expedition out of pure
-regard for the interests of the Hebrew faith."  He laughed.  "The public
-know too well that a `boom' means to a newspaper increased circulation,
-and, therefore, increased income.  Before these days of the yellow
-journalism, the press was supposed to be above such ruses; but now the
-public receives the journalistic `boom' with its tongue in its cheek."
-
-"You're quite right, Professor, quite right!" remarked Frank, for the
-first time realising that to "work" the treasure of Israel as a "boom"
-for his group of newspapers and periodicals was impossible.  "I've only
-regarded it from the business side, and not from the sentimental.  I see
-now that any newspaper touching it would be treading dangerous ground,
-and might at once wound religious susceptibilities."
-
-"I'm glad you've seen it in that light!" replied the old scholar,
-stroking his grey hair.  "As far as I can discern, the best mode of
-procedure--providing of course, that we can discover the key number to
-the numerical cipher--is for me to write an article in the
-_Contemporary_ with a view to obtaining the financial assistance of the
-Jewish community.  I know the Jew well enough to be confident, that all,
-from the Jew pedlar in the East End to the family of Rothschild itself,
-would unite in assisting to discover the sacred treasures of the
-Temple."  And for half an hour or so they chatted, until Frank was able
-to slip away with Gwen into the drawing-room where, without a single
-word, he clasped her in his arms passionately and kissed her upon the
-lips.
-
-He held her closely pressed to his breast, as he stroked her soft hair
-tenderly, and looked into those wide-open, trustful eyes.  Surely that
-frank expression of true and abiding love could not be feigned!  There
-is, in a true woman's eyes, a love-look that cannot lie!  He saw it, and
-was at once satisfied.
-
-In a low voice he begged forgiveness for misjudging her, repeating his
-great and unbounded affection.  She heard his quick strained voice, and
-listened to his heartfelt words, and then, unable to restrain her joy at
-his return, her head fell upon his shoulders, and she burst into tears.
-
-She was his, she whispered, still his--and his alone.
-
-And he held her sobbing in his strong arms, as his hand still stroked
-her hair and his lips again bent until they touched her fair white brow
-in fierce and passionate caress.
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT.
-
-DESCRIBES CERTAIN CURIOUS EVENTS.
-
-Has it never struck you that this twentieth century of ours is the
-essential age of the very young girl?
-
-Supreme to-day reigns the young woman between the age of--well say from
-sixteen to twenty--who dresses her hair with a parting and a pigtail,
-wears short skirts, displays a neat ankle, and persists in remaining in
-her teens.  Grumpy old fossils tell us that this species is a product of
-an advanced state of civilisation which insists that everything must be
-new, from a dish of _peches a la Melba_ to the tint of that eternal
-hoarding in front of Buckingham Palace.  One can only suppose that they
-are correct.  Ours is a go-ahead age which scoffs at the horse, and
-pokes fun at the South-Eastern Railway, which forsakes Saturday concerts
-for football, yet delights in talking-machines.
-
-Is it any wonder therefore that the statuesque beauty and the skittish
-matron of a year ago no longer finds herself in demand for
-supper-parties, Sandown or Henley?  No, she must nowadays stand aside,
-and watch the reign of her little sister who dashes off from the theatre
-to the Savoy in a motor-brougham still wearing her ribbon bow on her
-pigtail, much as she did in the schoolroom.
-
-The young of certain species of wild fowl are termed "flappers," and
-some irreverent and irascible old gentleman has applied that term to the
-go-ahead young miss of to-day.  Though most women over twenty-one may
-attempt to disguise the fact, it is plain that the young girl just
-escaped from the schoolroom now reigns supreme.  Her dynasty is at its
-zenith.  She is the ruling factor of London life.  Peers of the realm,
-foreign potentates, hard-bitten soldiers from the East, magnates from
-Park Lane all hurry to her beck and call.  The girl in the pigtail and
-short skirt rides over them all roughshod.  And what is the result of
-all this adulation upon the dimple-faced little girl herself?  In the
-majority of cases, I fear it results in making her a stuck-up, _blase_
-and conceited little prig, for she nowadays takes upon herself a glory
-and exalted position to which she is entirely unsuited, but which she
-has been taught to consider hers by right.
-
-Gwen Griffin was a perfect type of the very young girl, courted, petted
-and flattered by all the men of her acquaintance.  Having no mother to
-forbid her, she was fond of going motor-rides and fond of flirtation,
-but through it all she had, fortunately, never developed any of those
-objectionable traits so common in girls of her age.  She had managed to
-remain quite simple, sweet and unaffected through it all, and six months
-before, when she had found the man she could honestly love, she had cut
-her male friends and entered upon life with all seriousness.
-
-A week had gone by, and Frank had called every evening.  Once he had
-taken her to dine at the Carlton, and on to the theatre afterwards, for
-now they had, by tacit though unspoken consent, agreed that all bygones
-should be bygones.
-
-Often he felt himself wondering what had been the real cause of her
-mysterious absence from home, yet when such suspicions arose within him,
-he quickly put them aside.  How could he possibly doubt her love?
-
-The Doctor was back again at Horsford, leading the same rural uneventful
-life as before, but daily studying everything that had any possible
-bearing upon the assertion of Professor Holmboe.
-
-Frank came down to visit Lady Gavin one day, and as a matter of course
-was very soon seated with the ugly little man in his cottage home.
-
-Diamond, over a cigar, was relating the result of his most recent
-studies, and lamenting that they were still as far from obtaining a
-knowledge of the actual cipher as ever.
-
-"Yes," murmured the young man with a sigh, "I'm much afraid that old
-Haupt will get ahead of us--even if he has not already done so.  How is
-it that you can't get your friend Mullet to assist us further?"
-
-"He has left London, I believe.  He disappeared quite suddenly from his
-rooms, and curiously enough, has sent me no word."
-
-"You hinted once that he's a `crook.'  If so, he may have fled on
-account of awkward police inquiries--eh?"
-
-"Most likely.  Yet it's strange that he hasn't sent me news of his
-whereabouts."
-
-"Not at all, my dear Doctor," responded the other.  "If a man is in
-hiding, it isn't likely that he's going to give away his place of
-concealment, is it?"
-
-"But he trusts me--trusts me implicitly," declared Diamond.
-
-"That may be so.  But he doesn't trust other persons into whose hands
-his letter might possibly fall.  The police have a nasty habit of
-watching the correspondence of the friend of the man wanted, you know."
-
-"Perhaps you're right, Mr Farquhar," said the Doctor, with a heavy
-expression upon his broad brow.  "The more I study the problem of the
-treasure of Israel, the more bewildered I become," he went on.  "Now as
-regards the original of the Old Testament, it is not all written in
-Hebrew, I find.  Certain parts are in Aramaic, often erroneously called
-Chaldee.  [From Daniel, ii, 4, to vii, 28; Ezra iv, 8, to vi, 18; vii,
-11 to 26; and Jeremiah x and xi.]  Again, we have a difficulty to face
-which even Professor Griffin had never yet mentioned to me.  It is this.
-On the very lowest estimate, the Old Testament must represent a
-literary activity of fully a thousand years, and therefore it is but
-reasonable to suppose that the language of the earlier works would be
-considerably different from that of the later; while, on other grounds,
-the possible existence of local dialects might be expected to show
-itself in diversity of diction among the various books.  But, curiously
-enough--though I am handicapped by not being acquainted with the Hebrew
-tongue--all the authorities I have consulted agree that neither of those
-surmises find much verification in our extant Hebrew text."
-
-"I've always understood that," Frank remarked.  "Yes.  I've been reading
-deeply, Mr Farquhar.  Curiously enough the most ancient documents and
-the youngest are remarkably similar in the general cast of their
-language, and certainly show nothing corresponding in the difference
-between Homer and Plato, or Chaucer and Shakespeare.  Though we know
-that the Ephraimites could not give the proper (Gileadite) sound of the
-letter _shin_ in _Shibboleth_, [Judges, xii 8] yet all attempts to
-distinguish dialects in our extant books have failed."
-
-"I think," said Farquhar, "that such remarkable uniformity, while
-testifying to the comparative stability of the language, is in part to
-be explained by the hypothesis of a continuous process of revision and
-perhaps modernising of the documents, which may have gone on until well
-into our era."
-
-"Exactly," remarked the Doctor, "yet in spite of this levelling tendency
-there appear to remain certain diversities, particularly in the
-vocabulary, which have not been eliminated, and these serve to
-distinguish two great periods in the history of the language, sometimes
-called the gold and silver ages, respectively, roughly separated by the
-return from the exile.  To the former belong, without doubt, the older
-strata in the Hexateuch, and the greater prophets; to the latter, almost
-as indubitably, Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Ecclesiastes and Daniel, all
-of which use a considerable mixture of Aramaic of Persian words.  Then,
-the great question for us is whether the ancient text of Ezekiel
-preserved in St Petersburg is an original, or a modernised version.  If
-the latter, much of the cipher, perhaps all, must have been destroyed!"
-
-"I quite follow your argument, my dear Diamond," Farquhar replied, "but
-has not Holmboe established to his own satisfaction that the cipher
-still exists in the manuscript in question?  He has, therefore, proved
-it to be an exact copy of the original--if not the original itself."
-
-"Experts all agree that it cannot be the original," declared the Doctor.
-"It is quite true that Holmboe alleges that the cipher exists, and
-gives quotations from it.  Yet now that I have been reading deeply I
-have become a trifle sceptical.  I'm anxious for Griffin to discover the
-key number, and prove it for himself.  Personally, I entertain some
-doubt about the present text of Ezekiel being the actual text of the
-prophet."
-
-"That can only be proved by the test of the cipher," was Farquhar's
-reply.  "If you accept any part of the dead man's declaration, you must
-surely accept the whole."
-
-"I have all along accepted the whole--just as Griffin accepts it."
-
-"Then why entertain any doubt in this direction?  The Professor has
-never mentioned it, which shows us that there is no need why we should
-query it."
-
-"Yes, but may not the fact of the text having been modernised be the
-reason of Griffin's non-success in discovering the key number?"
-
-"Holmboe discovered it," remarked the other, "therefore, I see no reason
-why Griffin--with Holmboe's statement before him and in addition that
-scrap of manuscript which evidently relates to the key--should not be
-equally successful."
-
-"Ah!" sighed the ugly little man whose fidgety movements showed his
-increasing anxiety, "if we could but know what the old German was
-doing--or in what direction he is working."
-
-"He's not back at his own home.  I received a telegram from our Leipzig
-correspondent only yesterday.  His whereabouts is just as mysterious as
-that of your friend Mullet.  By the way--would he never tell you who
-were the principals in this opposition to us?"
-
-"No, he has always steadily refused."
-
-"Some shady characters, perhaps--men whom he is compelled to shield,
-eh?"
-
-"I think so," answered the Doctor.  "I wanted him to stand in with us,
-but he's a strange fellow, for though he promised to help me, he refused
-to participate in any part of the profit."
-
-"Has some compunction in betraying his friends, evidently," laughed
-Frank.  "I'm very anxious to meet him.  He promised to call on Griffin,
-but has never done so."
-
-"He's been put on his guard, and cleared out, that's my candid opinion.
-`Red Mullet' is a splendid fellow, but a very slippery customer, as the
-police know too well.  He's probably half-way across the world by this
-time.  He's a very rapid traveller.  I've sometimes had letters from him
-from a dozen different cities in as many days."
-
-"To move rapidly is always incumbent upon the adventurer, if he is to be
-successful in eluding awkward inquiry.  He never writes to the child, I
-suppose?"  Frank asked, as Aggie at that moment passed the window.
-
-"Oh, yes, very often.  But he always encloses her letter to me.  He
-never gives his address to her, for fear, I suppose, that it should fall
-into other hands.  I wired to his rooms in Paris a week ago, but, as
-yet, have received no response.  His rooms in London are closed.  I was
-up there on Thursday.  Why he keeps them on when he's away for years at
-a time, I can never understand."
-
-"Probably sub-lets them, as so many fellows do," Farquhar suggested,
-"yet it's unfortunate we can't get into touch with him."
-
-"Miss Griffin is acquainted with him--I wonder if she knows his
-whereabouts?" remarked Diamond quite innocently.
-
-"She knows him!"  Frank echoed in surprise.  "Are you quite sure of
-that?"
-
-"Quite.  She told me so."
-
-"How could she know a man who is admittedly an outsider?" asked Frank.
-
-"My dear Mr Farquhar," he laughed, "your modern girl makes many
-undesirable acquaintances, especially a pretty go-ahead girl of Miss
-Griffin's type."
-
-Frank bit his lip.  This friendship of Gwen's with the man Mullet
-annoyed him.  What could she possibly know of such a man?  He resolved
-to speak to her about it, and make inquiry into the circumstances of
-their acquaintance.
-
-He must warn her to have nothing to do with a man of such evil
-reputation, he thought.  Little did he dream that this very man whom the
-world denounced as an outsider had stood the girl's best and most
-devoted friend.
-
-He walked back along the village street to the Manor, and dressed for
-dinner, his mind full of dark forebodings.
-
-What would be the end?  What could it be, except triumph for those
-enemies, the very names of whom were, with such tantalising persistency,
-withheld.
-
-Half an hour after he had left the Doctor's cottage the village
-telegraph-boy handed Aggie a message which she at once carried to her
-foster-father.
-
-He tore it open, started, read it through several times, and then placed
-it carefully in the flames.
-
-Then he hurriedly put on his boots, overcoat and hat, and went forth,
-explaining to his wife that he was suddenly called on urgent business to
-London.
-
-That evening, just before ten o'clock, a short dark figure could have
-been seen slinking along by the railings of Berkeley Square, indistinct
-in the night mist, which, with the dusk, had settled over London.
-
-The man, though he moved constantly up and down to keep himself warm,
-kept an alert and watchful eye upon the big sombre-looking mansion
-opposite--the residence, as almost any passer-by would have told the
-stranger, of Sir Felix Challas, the anti-Semitic philanthropist.
-
-Over the semicircular fanlight a light burned brightly, but the inner
-shutters of the ground floor rooms were closed, while the drawing-room
-above was lighted.
-
-Time after time the silent watcher passed and repassed the house, taking
-in every detail with apparent curiosity, yet ever anxious and ever
-expectant.
-
-The constable standing at the corner of Hill Street eyed the dwarfed man
-with some suspicion, but on winter nights the London streets, even in
-the West End, abound with homeless loafers.
-
-The Doctor, wearing a shabby overcoat several sizes too large for him
-and a felt hat much battered and the worse for wear, watched vigilantly
-and with much patience.
-
-He saw a taxi-cab drive up before Sir Felix's and a rather tall,
-good-looking man in opera hat and fur-lined coat descend and enter the
-house.  The cab waited and ten minutes later the visitor--Jim Jannaway
-it was--was bowed out by the grave-faced old butler, and giving the man
-directions, was whirled away into Mount Street, out of sight.
-
-"I suppose that's the fellow!" murmured the ugly little man beneath his
-breath, as he stood back in the darkness against the railings opposite.
-Hardly had the words escaped his lips when a hansom came from the
-direction of Berkeley Street, and pulling up, an old, rather feeble
-white-bearded man got out, paid the driver, and ascending the steps rang
-the bell.
-
-He was admitted without question, and the door was closed behind him.
-
-"Erich Haupt, without a doubt," remarked the Doctor aloud.  "Why has he
-returned to London?  Has he made a further discovery, I wonder.  The
-description of him is exact."
-
-For half an hour he waited, wondering what was happening within that
-great mansion.
-
-Then Jim Jannaway suddenly returned, dismissed his "taxi," and was
-admitted.  All that coming and going showed that something was in the
-wind.
-
-"Red Mullet" had given him due warning from his hiding-place.  His
-telegram had been despatched from Meopham, which he had discovered was a
-pleasant Kentish village, not far from Gravesend.  He was evidently in
-concealment there.
-
-Just before eleven o'clock another hansom turning out of Hill Street in
-the mist, pulled up before the house, and he watched a dark figure
-alight from it.
-
-Notwithstanding the dim light he recognised the visitor in an instant.
-The figure was that of a tall, dark-eyed girl.
-
-"Good Heavens!" he gasped, staring across the road, rigid.  "Mullet was
-right!  He was not mistaken after all!  By Jove--then I know the truth!
-We are betrayed into the hands of our enemy!"
-
-And as the Doctor stood there he was entirely unaware that he, in turn,
-was being watched from the opposite pavement--and by a woman!
-
-CHAPTER TWENTY NINE.
-
-WHICH SOLVES A PROBLEM.
-
-That day had been an eventful one at Pembridge Gardens.  Indeed, the
-event of the great scholar, Arminger Griffin's life had occurred.
-
-It happened in this way.  The January morning had been so dark that he
-had been compelled to use the electric light upon his study table, and
-during the whole morning he had been engaged upon that same futile
-task--the problem of the cipher.
-
-With the Hebrew text of Ezekiel open before him, and sheets of
-manuscript paper upon the blotting-pad, he had been absorbed for hours
-in his cabalistic calculations which, to the uninitiated, would convey
-nothing.  They appeared to be elementary sums of addition and
-subtraction--sums consisting of ordinary numericals combined with
-letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
-
-And curiously enough, in a back bedroom in the Waldorf Hotel, in
-Aldwych, the white-bearded old German, Erich Haupt, who only the
-previous night had returned from the Continent, sat making almost
-similar calculations.  Before him also he had a copy of the Hebrew
-Bible, and was taking sentences haphazard from Ezekiel xix, the
-lamentation for the Princes of Israel under the parable of the lion's
-whelps taken in a pit.
-
-Early in the morning he had rung up Sir Felix on the telephone beside
-the bed, announcing his arrival, and obtaining an appointment for later
-in the day.
-
-Both scholars, unknown to each other, were busy upon the same problem,
-each hoping for success and triumph over the other.
-
-Through weeks and weeks Griffin, seated in his big, silent, rather
-gloomy study, had tried and tried again, yet always in vain.  He was a
-calm, patient man, knowing well that in cryptography the first element
-towards success is utmost patience.
-
-It was noon.  The fog had not lifted, and Bayswater was plunged in the
-semi-darkness of the London "pea-souper."
-
-Gwen was out.  She was trying on a new evening frock at Whitley's--a
-dainty creation in pale blue chiffon ordered specially for a dance which
-Lady Duddington was giving in Grosvenor Street in a few days' time.
-
-Alone, his grey head bent on the zone of shaded light upon the big
-writing-table, the Professor had ever since breakfast time been putting
-a new cipher theory to the test.
-
-All the thirty odd numerical ciphers known to the ancients he had
-applied to certain chapters of the Book of Ezekiel, but each one in
-vain.  The result was mere chaos.  The ancients employed numerous
-methods of cryptography besides the numerical cipher, among them being
-the use of superfluous words where the correspondents agreed that only
-some of the words, at equal distances apart, was necessary to form the
-message; by misplaced words; by vertical and diagonal reading; by
-artificial word grouping; by transposing the letters; by substitution of
-letters; or by counterpart tabulations with changes at every letter in
-the message, according to a pre-arranged plan.
-
-All these, however, he had, in face of the reading of the scrap of the
-manuscript of the dead discover of the secret, long ago dismissed.
-
-He held the firm opinion--perhaps formed on account of that crumpled
-paper found at the Bodleian--that the cipher was a numerical one, and
-based upon some variation of the numerical value of the "waw" sign, or
-the number six.
-
-He now fully recognised how very cleverly old Erich Haupt had
-endeavoured to put him off the scent.  The German was a very crafty old
-fellow, whose several discoveries, though not altogether new, had evoked
-considerable interest in academic circles in Europe.  He was author of
-several learned studies in the Hebrew text, as well as the renowned work
-upon the Messianic Prophecies, and without a doubt now that he had
-possessed himself of the dead professor's discovery he intended to take
-all the credit to himself.  Indeed it was his intention to pose as the
-actual discoverer.
-
-Continuing his work in silence and without interruption Griffin had been
-making a long and elaborate calculation when, very soon after the little
-Sheraton clock upon the mantelshelf had chimed noon, he started up with
-a cry of surprise and stared across at the long old-fashioned bookcase
-opposite.
-
-Next moment his head was bent to the paper before him, as he rapidly
-traced numerals and Hebrew characters, for he wrote the ancient language
-as swiftly as he wrote English.
-
-"Yes!" he whispered, as though in fear of his own voice.  "It actually
-bears the test--the only one that has borne it through a whole sentence!
-Can it be possible that I have here the actual key?"  For another
-half-hour he remained busy with his calculations, gradually evolving a
-Hebrew character after each calculation until he had written a line.
-Then aloud he read the Hebrew to himself, afterwards translating it into
-English thus:
-
-"...the house of Togarmah, of the north quarters..."
-
-The old man rose from his chair, pale and rigid, staring straight
-through the window at the yellow sky.
-
-"At last!" he gasped to himself.  "Success at last!  Holmboe's secret is
-mine--_mine_!"
-
-He was naturally a quiet man whom nothing could disturb, but now so
-excited had he become that his hand shook and trembled and he was unable
-to trace the Hebrew characters with any degree of accuracy.
-
-He walked to the window, and looked out into the foggy road below.
-
-He, Arminger Griffin, though Regius Professor, had, in the course of
-that brief hour, become the greatest Hebrew scholar in Europe, the man
-who would announce to the world the most interesting discovery of the
-age!
-
-He gazed around that silent restful room, like a man in a dream.  His
-success hardly seemed true.  Where was Haupt, he wondered?  Would his
-ingenuity and patience lead him to that same goal whereby he could read
-the hidden record?
-
-Pausing at his table he recalculated the sum upon the sheet of paper.
-No.  He had made no mistake.  There was the decipher in black and white,
-quite clear and quite intelligible!
-
-He stretched his arms above his head, and standing upon the hearthrug
-before the blaring fire, reflected deeply.
-
-The declaration of the dead professor was true, after all.  The cipher
-did exist in Ezekiel, therefore there was little doubt that the treasure
-of Israel would be discovered through his instrumentality.
-
-Haupt fortunately did not possess any of that manuscript which was
-evidently a written explanation of the mode of deciphering the message.
-Hence he would not be aware that the "waw" sign formed the basis of
-calculation necessary.  But he, Arminger Griffin, had elucidated a
-problem of which bygone generations of scholars had never dreamed, and
-Israel would, if the secret were duly kept, recover the sacred relics of
-her wonderful temple.
-
-His face was blanched with suppressed excitement.  How should he act?
-
-After some pondering he resolved to make no announcement to Diamond or
-to Farquhar, both of whom he knew were away in the country, until he had
-made a complete decipher of the whole of the secret record.
-
-He intended to launch the good news upon them as a thunderclap.
-
-"They both regard me as a `dry-as-dust' old fossil," he laughed to
-himself.  "But they will soon realise that Arminger Griffin has patience
-and ability to solve one of the most intricate problems ever presented
-to any scholar.  We can now openly defy our enemies--whoever they are.
-Before midnight I shall be in possession of the whole of the secret
-record contained in the book of the Prophet, and if I do not turn it to
-advantage it will not be my fault.  That man Mullet evidently fears to
-call upon me.  Ah! his friends little dream that I have solved the
-problem--that success now lies in my hands alone."
-
-Crossing again to the table he slowly turned over the folios of the text
-of Ezekiel which he had been using, glancing at it here and there.
-
-Then he touched the electric bell, and Laura, the tall, dark-haired
-parlour-maid, answered.
-
-"Is Miss Gwen in?" he inquired.
-
-"No, sir.  She's not yet returned."
-
-"When she comes, please say I wish to see her at once."
-
-"Very well, sir," was the quiet response of the well-trained maid who,
-by the expression upon her master's face, instantly recognised that
-something unusual had occurred.
-
-She glanced at him with a quick interest, and then retired, closing the
-door softly after her.
-
-The Professor, reseating himself at his table, pushed his scanty grey
-hair off his brow, and again readjusting his big round spectacles
-settled down to continue his intensely interesting work of discovery.
-
-"Holmboe says that the cipher exists in nine chapters," he remarked
-aloud to himself.  "I wonder which of the forty-eight chapters he
-alludes to!  Now let's see," he went on, slowly turning over the leaves
-of the Hebrew text, "the book of Ezekiel's prophecy is divided into
-several parts.  The first contains chapters i-xxiv, which are prophecies
-relating to Israel and Judah, in which he foretells and justifies the
-fall of Jerusalem.  The second is chapters xxv-xxxii, containing
-denunciations of the neighbouring nations; the third is chapters
-xxxiii-xxxix, which gives predictions of the restitution and union of
-Judah and Israel, and the last, chapter xl-xlviii, visions of the ideal
-theocracy and its institutions.  Now the question is in which of those
-parts is hidden the record?"
-
-The few words of the cipher which he had been able to read were
-continued in chapter xxiv, beginning at verse 6; "Wherefore thus saith
-the Lord God; Woe to the bloody city, to the pot whose scum is therein,
-and whose scum not gone out of it! bring it out piece by piece; let no
-lot fall upon it.  For her blood is in the midst of her; she set it upon
-the top of a rock; she poured it not upon the ground, to cover it with
-dust," etc, down to the end of verse 27.  If those twenty-two verses
-only contained eight words of the hidden record, then it was apparent
-that the Professor had a greater task before him than he imagined.
-
-Gwen, in emerging from Whiteley's into Westbourne Grove, had met a young
-naval officer she knew.  He was home on leave, therefore she had
-strolled leisurely with him down Queen's Road and along Bayswater Road,
-in preference to taking a cab.  A couple of years before, when she was
-still a mere girl and he only an acting sub-lieutenant, they had been
-rather attached to each other.  He was, of course, unaware of her
-engagement to Frank Farquhar, and she did not enlighten him, but allowed
-him to chatter to her as they walked westward.  His people lived in
-Porchester Terrace, and he had lately been at sea for a year with the
-Mediterranean Fleet, he told her.
-
-The yellow obscurity was now rapidly clearing as, at the corner of
-Pembridge Gardens, he raised his hat and with some reluctance left her.
-
-Then she hurried in, just as the luncheon gong was sounding, and had
-only time to take off her hat and coat to be in her place at table.  Her
-father was most punctual at his meals.  He believed in method at all
-times, and carried method and the utmost punctuality into all his daily
-habits.
-
-When he entered the dining-room the girl saw, from his preoccupied
-expression, that something had occurred.
-
-She, however, made no inquiry before the servant, while he on his part,
-though bursting with the good news, resolved to keep his information
-until they had had their meal and retired into the study together.
-
-Then he would explain to her, and show her the amazing result.
-
-Therefore she chatted merrily, telling him how sweet her new gown
-looked, and gossiping in her own sweet engaging way--with that girlish
-laughter and merriment which was the sunshine of the old scholar's
-otherwise dull and colourless existence.
-
-Little did she dream, he thought, as he sat at table, of the staggering
-announcement which he was about to make to her.
-
-He had solved the problem!
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY.
-
-CLOSED DOORS.
-
-"Will you come up with me into the study, dear?" asked the Professor, in
-as quiet a voice as he could, when they had finished luncheon.
-
-"I have a letter to write, dad," replied the girl in excuse.  "I'll come
-in and sit with you before tea."
-
-"But I want to speak to you, dear," he said.  "I want to tell you
-something.  Come with me now."  Rather surprised at her father's
-somewhat strained and unusual demeanour, the girl ascended the stairs to
-the book-lined room, and when the door was closed the old man crossed to
-where she stood, and said:
-
-"Gwen, congratulate me, child."
-
-"Upon what, dad?" she said, looking into his face, surprised.
-
-"I have discovered the key to the cipher!"
-
-The girl started.  Then with a wild cry she threw her arms about her
-father's neck, kissed him passionately, and with tears of joy welling in
-her eyes, congratulated him.
-
-"What will Frank say!" she exclaimed breathlessly.  "How delighted he'll
-be!  Why, dad, we shall discover the position of the hiding-place of the
-sacred relics, after all!"
-
-Her enthusiasm was unbounded.  Her father who had worked so hard by
-night and by day upon those puzzling cryptic numericals, was at last
-successful.
-
-"Can you really read the cipher?" she asked quickly.
-
-"Yes, dear," was her father's response.  "I have already deciphered part
-of the extraordinary statement."
-
-"Then we must telegraph to Frank," she said.  "He is down at Horsford,
-visiting his sister and seeing Doctor Diamond at the same time."
-
-"No, not yet, my child," he replied quietly.  "Let me complete the work
-before we announce the good news to our friends.  I have told you,
-because I knew you would be gratified."
-
-"Why, of course I am, dad," replied the girl eagerly.  "It will greatly
-enhance your reputation, besides preserving the sacred relics to the
-Jews.  Our opponents had other intentions.  Their efforts are directed
-towards causing annoyance and bringing ridicule upon the Hebrew race.
-But," she added, her arm still affectionately around his neck, "how did
-you accomplish it, dad?"
-
-"Sit down, dear, and I'll explain to you," he said, pointing to the
-armchair near his writing-table, while he took his writing-chair, and
-drew towards him the open Hebrew text of Ezekiel.
-
-"You see," he commenced, "for some weeks I have been applying all the
-known numerical ciphers to this text, but without result.  More than
-once I was able to read a couple or three words, and believed that I had
-discovered the key.  But, alas!  I found it to fail inevitably before I
-could establish a complete sentence.  I was about to relinquish the
-problem as either impossible of solution, or as a theory without basis,
-when this morning, almost as a last resource and certainly without
-expecting any definite result, I applied a variation of the Apocalyptic
-Number, which though appearing in the Book of Revelation, [Revelations,
-xiii, 13] was no doubt known at a much earlier period.  In the text of
-Ezekiel xvii, the first and second verses: `And the word of the Lord
-came unto me, saying, Son of man, put forth a riddle and speak a parable
-unto the house of Israel;' I had long recognised certain signs by which
-I had suspicion that there was a hidden meaning, and again in verses 14,
-16 and 16, ending with the words `even with him in the midst of Babylon
-he shall die.'
-
-"To my utter amazement I found, by applying the numbers 666--the Hebrew
-`waw' sign three times repeated, that I could read an intelligible
-sentence which was nothing less than a portion of the cipher exactly as
-quoted by Holmboe!  Since my discovery I have been hard at work, and
-have deciphered many ominous sentences."
-
-"Then there is no doubt whatever now that the cipher record exists in
-the writings of the prophet?"
-
-"Not the slightest."
-
-"But I don't quite understand how you arrived at the key, dad?" she
-said.  "Explain to me, for, as you know, I'm all curiosity."
-
-"Well, as you don't know Hebrew, dear, I'll try and explain it as
-clearly as I can," he said.  "Each Hebrew letter has its own numerical
-value, as you know, _A-leph_ representing 1, _Beth_ 2, _Gi-mel_ 3, and
-so on to _Yodh_ 10, and the nine tens to 100, or _Qoph_, to 400,
-represented by the last of the twenty-two consonants, _Taw_.  The fact
-that Holmboe mentioned `_waw_,' or the number 6, in his manuscript,
-first caused me to believe that he did so as a blind, because this also
-signified `hook' and was the sign of evil.  I applied it diligently in
-nearly two hundred places in the Book of Ezekiel, but without a single
-success.  I used other numbers, indeed most of the combinations of the
-twenty-two consonants, especially the one of three and thirty-three
-which was one of the earliest numerical ciphers.  You know well how
-diligently I worked, and how unsuccessful I have been until to-day."
-
-"I know, dad," exclaimed the pretty girl, "but I confess I can hardly
-follow you, even now."
-
-"Well, listen," he said.  "The Apocalyptic Number is 666, and its
-interpretation rests upon the fact that in Hebrew, as well as in Greek,
-the letters of the alphabet did service for numbers.  Hence, a writer,
-while avoiding a direct mention of some person or thing, could yet
-indicate the same by a number which was the sum of the various values
-comprising the name.  First establishing the point where the actual
-message commences, which I may as well explain is at Ezekiel, x, 8; `And
-there appeared in the cherubim the form of a man's hand under their
-wings,' I took the first `waw' or 6 sign, then the eleventh letter,
-being the sixth of sixty-six, then the sixty-sixth letter, and
-afterwards the six hundred and sixty-sixth letter.  Following this, I
-made the additions which are known to the Greeks and also to the
-Hebrews, working it out thus: The fiftieth letter, the two-hundredth
-letter, the sixth letter, the fiftieth letter, the hundredth letter, the
-sixtieth letter and the two-hundredth letter--making in all six hundred
-and sixty-six.  The Hebrew signs of each I wrote down in a line, and
-having divided them into words, I found to my amazement, that I was
-reading the secret record alleged by the dead professor!"
-
-"But, surely, dad, that is a most ingenious cipher!" remarked his
-daughter.
-
-"Most intricate, I assure you.  By sheer good fortune I discovered the
-starting-point."
-
-"What led you to it?"
-
-"A slight, almost unnoticeable deviation of the present Hebrew text from
-the St Petersburg codex.  I had never before noticed it, and it only
-arrested my attention because I was studying the subject so very
-closely."
-
-"And after making the additions of 666, how did you proceed?" urged the
-girl.
-
-He paused for a few seconds as though in hesitation.
-
-"By starting at the first `waw' sign and repeating my key.  Sometimes,
-in a whole chapter, there is not a word of cipher, but following the
-numbers with regularity it reappears in the next.  It is a most
-marvellous and most cunningly concealed record accounting, of course,
-for the number of superfluous and rather incongruous words in the
-writings of the prophet."
-
-"Was it written in the text--or placed there afterwards?" she asked.
-
-"Placed there afterwards, without a doubt," was the Professor's quick
-reply.  "Holy writ was inspired, of course, but some temple priest, an
-exile in Babylon probably, worked out the cipher and placed the record
-in the text in order that it might be there preserved and the existence
-of the treasure be known to coming generations of Jews who would be then
-aware of the existence of their war-chest."
-
-"It really is a most amazing discovery, dad dear," declared the girl
-much excited.  "When you publish it the whole world will be startled!"
-
-"Yes, my dear," was the old fellow's response, as he ran his fingers
-through his scanty grey hair.  "We have here before us," and he placed
-his hand upon the open Hebrew text, "a secret explained which is surely
-the greatest and most remarkable of any discovered in any age."
-
-The girl, rising from her chair, saw upon the manuscript paper on her
-father's blotting-pad, a number of lines of hastily-written Hebrew
-words.
-
-"Is that part of the deciphered record?" she inquired, greatly
-interested.
-
-"Yes, dear."
-
-"Oh, do read them to me, dad," she cried, "I'm dying to learn exactly
-the purport of this message hidden through so many generations!"
-
-"No, Gwen," was the old man's calm response, "not until I have worked
-out the whole.  Then you shall, my child, be the first to have knowledge
-of the secret of Israel.  And remember it is my wish that you write
-nothing to Farquhar regarding it.  We must keep our knowledge to
-ourselves--very closely to ourselves, remember.  Erich Haupt must have
-no suspicion of my success.  Otherwise we may even yet be forestalled."
-
-"I quite see the danger, dad," remarked his daughter, "but I'm so
-interested, do go on with your task and show me how it is accomplished."
-
-"Very well," he said, smiling and humouring her.  "You see here, at this
-mark," and he showed her a pencilled line upon the Hebrew text, "that is
-where I halted for luncheon.  Now we go on to the next sign of six.
-See, here it is--in the next line.  Now we count the eleventh letter,"
-and he wrote it down in Hebrew.  Then he counted the sixty-sixth, the
-six hundredth and sixty-sixth, the fiftieth, the two-hundredth, and so
-on until he had a number of Hebrew signs ranged side by side.  Presently
-he said, pointing to them:
-
-"Here you are!  The English translation to this is `...yourselves, and
-wonder, for unto thee, O children of Israel...'"
-
-"Really, dad!" exclaimed the girl, highly excited.  "It's most
-remarkable!"
-
-"Yes," he admitted.  "I confess that until now I held the same idea that
-every Jewish Rabbi holds--namely that no secret cipher can exist in our
-inspired writings."
-
-"But you have now proved it beyond question!" she declared.
-
-"Yes.  But startling as it may be, we must preserve our secret, dear.
-There are others endeavouring to learn the trend of my investigations,
-recollect.  We may have spies upon us, for aught we know," he added in a
-low tone, glancing at her with a significant look.
-
-"How long do you expect it will take before you are in full possession
-of the whole of the secret statement?" she asked.
-
-"Many hours, my dear.  Perhaps many days--how can I tell.  Holmboe says
-it runs through only nine chapters.  Therefore it should end with
-chapter xxvi.  But as far as I can gather I believe I shall find further
-cryptic statements in the later chapters.  There are certain evidences
-of these in chapter xxxvii, 16, in chapter xxxix, 18, 19 and 20, and
-again in chapter xliv, 5.  Therefore, I anticipate that my task may be a
-rather long one.  The counting and recounting to ensure accuracy
-occupies so much time.  The miscounting of a single letter would throw
-everything out and prevent the record being recovered, as you will
-readily foresee.  Hence, it must be done with the greatest precision and
-patience."
-
-"But, dad--this is most joyful news!" declared the girl excitedly, "I'm
-most anxious to telegraph to Frank."
-
-"Not until the secret is wholly ours, my dear.  Remember we must keep
-the key a most profound secret to ourselves."
-
-"Of course, dad," the girl answered, "I quite see that this information
-must not be allowed to pass to our enemies."
-
-Little did father or daughter imagine that, within their own quiet
-household, was a spy--the maid Laura, suborned by Jim Jannaway.
-
-When the pair had entered the study she had crept silently up to the
-door, and listened intently for the one fact which Jannaway had
-instructed her to listen--the means by which the cipher could be
-unravelled.
-
-She was a shrewd, intelligent girl, and the inducement which the
-good-looking adventurer had held out to her was such that the
-Professor's explanation to his daughter impressed itself upon her
-memory.
-
-She recollected every word, and still stood listening, able to hear
-quite distinctly, until there seemed no further information to be
-gathered.  Then she descended the stairs, and made certain memoranda of
-the text at which to commence, and the mode by which the decipher could
-be made.
-
-Half an hour later she made an excuse to the cook that she wished to go
-out to buy some hairpins, and then despatched a telegram to the name and
-address which her generous and good-looking "gentleman" had given her.
-
-Meanwhile Gwen still sat with her father at his writing-table watching
-him slowly taking from the text of the Book of Ezekiel the full and
-complete record that had been hidden from scholars through all the
-ages--the record which was to deliver back to the house of Israel her
-most sacred possessions.
-
-The light of the short afternoon faded, the electric light was switched
-on, tea was served by the faithless maid-servant, and dinner had been
-announced.
-
-But the Professor worked on, regardless and oblivious of everything.  He
-was far too occupied, and Gwen was also too excited to dress and descend
-to dinner.  Therefore, Laura served the meal upon a tray.
-
-All was silence save the Professor's dry monotonous voice as he counted
-aloud the letters of the Hebrew text, recounted them to reassure
-himself, and then set down a Hebrew character as result.
-
-Thus from after luncheon until midnight--through the time indeed that
-Diamond was so patiently watching the big house in Berkeley Square--the
-work of solving the problem went slowly on.
-
-Gwen sat and watched her father's Hebrew manuscript grow apace, until it
-covered many quarto pages.  Now and then she assisted in counting the
-letters, verifying her father's addition.
-
-Then at last, just after the old-fashioned clock upon the mantelshelf
-had chimed twelve, the old scholar raised his grey head with a sigh, and
-wiping his glasses, as was his habit, said:
-
-"Sit down, dear, and write the English translation at my dictation.  I
-think we now have it quite complete."
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY ONE.
-
-EXPOSES THE CONSPIRACY.
-
-While Professor Griffin had been so busily engaged deciphering the
-concluding portion of the secret record, a strange scene was in progress
-at Sir Felix Challas's, in Berkeley Square.
-
-First, Jim Jannaway had arrived and had held a short consultation in the
-library with the red-faced Baronet, afterwards quickly leaving.  Then,
-from the Waldorf Hotel, summoned by telephone, came old Erich Haupt,
-bustling and full of suppressed excitement.
-
-Soon afterwards, the well-dressed Jim had returned, and had waited in
-momentary expectancy, ready to dart out into the hall on hearing the
-sound of cab wheels.
-
-At last they were heard and the man-servant opened the door to Laura,
-tall, dark-haired and rather good-looking parlour-maid at Pembridge
-Gardens.
-
-In the well-carpeted hall she recognised the man who had taken her out
-to dinner and the theatre on several occasions, and advanced excitedly
-to meet him.
-
-"Oh!  Laura!" he cried.  "I'm so glad you've come.  I had your `wire,'
-and you got my message in reply, of course?  You must see the gov'nor.
-This is his house, and I want you to tell him how the Professor is
-solving that puzzle."  Then, lowering his voice, he added.  "There's a
-pot of money in it for both of us, dear, if you keep your wits about
-you.  You recollect what I promised you last Tuesday, don't you?"
-
-The girl sniggered and nodded.  She was a giddy young person, whose head
-had been turned by the admiration of that good-looking man who called
-himself "Miller," and who said he was a lawyer's clerk.  He had promised
-to become engaged to her and to marry her, provided they could get only
-a good round sum from "the gov'nor" for the information she could, with
-such ease, supply.
-
-This had placed the girl upon the constant alert, with the present
-result.
-
-Her nonchalant admirer led the way across the hall to the library,
-pushed upon the door, and introduced her to the two men therein--
-Challas, fat and prosperous, and Haupt, white-bearded and bespectacled.
-
-Then, when the door was closed and she had seated herself, Challas--or
-"Mr Murray," as he had been introduced--asked:
-
-"I believe you're Laura, and you are parlour-maid at Professor
-Griffin's, aren't you?"
-
-"Yes, sir," replied the girl, timidly, picking at her neat black skirt.
-
-"Well, sir," explained Jim, bearing out his part of lawyer's clerk,
-"some time ago I explained to my young lady here, what we particularly
-wanted to know, and she's kept both eyes and ears open.  To-day she's
-learned something, it seems."
-
-"What is it?" inquired old Erich, in a deep tone, with his strong German
-accent.
-
-"Let the young lady explain herself," urged the man introduced as
-"Murray," and they all sat silent.
-
-"Well, sir," the girl faltered, a moment later.  "You see it was like
-this.  After luncheon to-day the Professor, who'd been very hard at work
-as usual all the morning, took Miss Gwen up to the study to speak to her
-privately; I listened, and I heard all their conversation.  He told her
-how he'd solved the problem of the cipher."
-
-"Solved it!" ejaculated the old German, staring at her through his
-spectacles.
-
-"Yes, sir," the girl went on.  "He told Miss Gwen that he'd tried and
-tried, but always failed.  But he had taken the--well, sir, I think he
-called it the apoplectic number."
-
-The German laughed heartily.
-
-"I know," he said.  "You mean the Apocalyptic Number, _fraulein_--the
-number 666."
-
-"That's it, sir," she said, a little flurried, while Jim exchanged
-significant glances with Challas.  "He commences at the tenth chapter of
-Ezekiel, eighth verse, and--and--" Then she fumbled in her pocket,
-producing a piece of crumpled paper to which she referred.  "He takes
-the first sign of 6," she went on, "then the eleventh letter, the
-sixty-sixth letter, and the six hundred and sixty-sixth letter.  After
-this, the fiftieth letter, the two-hundredth letter, the sixth letter,
-the fiftieth letter, the hundredth letter, the sixtieth letter, and the
-two-hundredth letter--making six hundred and sixty-six in all.  He
-writes down each of the Hebrew letters, and then reads them off like a
-book."
-
-"Wait--ah! wait!" urged the old German.  "Let us have that again,
-_fraulein_," and crossing to Sir Felix's big mahogany writing-table, he
-opened the Hebrew text of Ezekiel upon it.  "Where do you say the
-Professor commences--at the tenth chapter, eighth verse--eh?  Good!" and
-he hastily found the reference.  "Now?"
-
-"Just tell this gentleman," urged Jim, "tell him exactly what you
-heard."
-
-"Well, starting with the eighth verse, he commences with what he termed
-the first `waw' sign."
-
-"Zo! that's the equivalent of the number 6," Haupt remarked.
-
-"Then the eleventh letter."
-
-The old professor counted and wrote down the letter in question in
-Hebrew characters.
-
-"The sixty-sixth," said the girl.
-
-The old man counted sixty-six, while Sir Felix and Jannaway watched with
-intense, almost breathless interest.  Here was the secret, snatched from
-their dreaded opponent, Arminger Griffin!
-
-"And now the six hundred and sixty-sixth," the girl went on, apparently
-thoroughly at home with the strangely assorted trio.
-
-This took some time to count, but presently it was accomplished, and the
-girl time after time gave the old professor directions--the fiftieth
-letter, the two-hundredth letter, and so on.
-
-"Well?" asked Challas, a few moments later, unable to repress his
-excitement any longer.  "Do you make anything out of it?"
-
-The old man was silent.  He was carefully studying the Hebrew characters
-he had written down.
-
-"Yes!" he gasped.  "It is the secret--the great secret!"  And he started
-up, exclaiming, "At last! at last--thanks to _fraulein_ here--we have
-the key!"
-
-"And we can actually read the cipher?" cried Challas.
-
-"Most certainly," responded the old scholar.  "The secret is ours!
-Marvellous, how Griffin discovered it."
-
-"Confound Griffin!" exclaimed Jim Jannaway.  "We have to thank Laura,
-here, for our success!  She ought to be well rewarded."
-
-"And so she shall," declared the man, whom the girl knew as "Mr
-Murray."
-
-"It's late to-night, and we want Erich to get on at once with the
-decipher.  Besides, the young lady, no doubt, wishes to get back home.
-Bring her to me to-morrow, or next day--and she shall be well rewarded."
-
-"Thank you very much, sir," was the silly girl's gratified reply, as she
-looked triumphant into the face of the cunning man who had declared his
-love for her.
-
-The truth was that, having obtained that most valuable information, the
-trio wanted to get rid of her as soon as possible.  Therefore, with
-excuses that the household at Pembridge Gardens would be suspicious if
-she returned too late, they bundled her almost unceremoniously outside,
-Jim hailing a hansom for her, paying the man, and telling him to drive
-to Notting Hill Gate Station.
-
-Then, when he re-entered, he exclaimed with a laugh to the Baronet,
-"That was a cheap `quid's' worth of information, wasn't it--eh?"
-
-"Cheap, my dear boy?  Why, it's placed us absolutely on top.  The
-treasure, if it still remains there, is ours!"
-
-"Ah! not too hasty!  Not too hasty!" exclaimed the old German in his
-deep guttural voice, and raising his head from the table.  "Up to a
-certain point, it is all right, but--"
-
-"But what?" the others gasped, in the same breath.
-
-"Well, there's something wanting, alas!  Or else the girl has made a
-great mistake.  After the addition of the numbers to 666, all goes
-entirely wrong!"
-
-"Goes wrong!" they echoed breathlessly, with one accord.
-
-"Yes.  The further reading is quite unintelligible," he declared,
-speaking with his strong Teutonic accent.
-
-"The girl seemed quite certain about it!" exclaimed Jim, exchanging
-glances with Challas.
-
-"Quite," the other remarked, blandly.
-
-"Well, my dear sirs!" exclaimed Haupt, pointing to his lines of
-hastily-written Hebrew.  "The commencement of the record is here, plain
-enough.  It commences, `Remember and forget not, O Israel.  Not for thy
-righteousness---' But after taking the two-hundredth letter I can
-discover nothing.  Commencing again at six only results in nothing,
-while a repetition of the fiftieth and the consequent addition is
-equally futile.  No!  The confounded girl has made some mistake--and we
-are once more at a standstill.  You see that one false number throws out
-the whole.  The cipher is one of the most ingenious ever conceived."
-
-"But, my dear Haupt, you know the basis, and where it commences!  You
-will surely succeed!"  Challas cried, frantically.
-
-The old man shook his head very dubiously.
-
-"As I have already told you," he responded in his deep voice, "a single
-misplaced number throws it all out.  We are again at an absolute
-deadlock--and must remain as ignorant as we were before."
-
-"But have you made every possible effort?" asked Jim Jannaway, with
-eager face, as he bent over the old man's shoulders.
-
-"I have tried all the combinations of the Apocalyptic Number, but they
-are futile!" replied the old German, laying down his pen, and blinking
-through his glasses.
-
-"Then the girl has failed us after all," remarked Challas in a low, hard
-voice.  "Griffin has deciphered the record and we're absolutely `in the
-cart.'"
-
-"I won't give up!" declared Jannaway.  "I'm hanged if I will!  This may
-be one of Charlie's tricks, remember!  He may have learnt the truth and
-got hold of Laura to put us on the wrong scent."
-
-"He may--curse him!" muttered Sir Felix.  "Why didn't he take my warning
-and get away abroad?"
-
-"Because he's quite as cute as we are.  He knows full well that while he
-remains in England circumstances will continue to be propitious.  So he
-lives quietly down in Kent, with both eyes very much open."
-
-Already Jim Jannaway's ingenious mind was active; already he was
-devising a way out of the awkward _cul-de-sac_ in which they now found
-themselves.
-
-"What are we to do?" inquired Sir Felix, with his dark brows knitted at
-this sudden failure of all his elaborate plans.
-
-"Leave it to me," replied the good-looking scoundrel, with the utmost
-confidence.  "Let Erich remain quietly within reach--not, however, at
-the Waldorf--and allow me to carry out the scheme in my own way."
-
-"I cannot think why the girl made such a mistake," Challas remarked very
-disappointedly.  "I admit the solution was complicated, but you saw that
-she was clever enough to write it down."
-
-"She listened behind a closed door.  She may have misunderstood," Jim
-remarked.
-
-"Or, what is much more likely," remarked the German, "Griffin, who has
-the reputation of being a very shrewd man, does not trust his daughter,
-and purposely misled her in explaining his secret."
-
-"No, I don't think that," said Jannaway.  "Griffin trusts the girl, even
-though she's quite young, absolutely and implicitly."
-
-And thus the three desperate schemers agreed to leave matters in the
-hands of the most daring and unscrupulous of men, Jim Jannaway,
-unconscious that the exterior of the mansion was being watched
-independently by two persons, Doctor Diamond, and a thin-faced, ill-clad
-woman, who, noticing the Doctor's keen interest in the place, glanced at
-him full of surprise and wonder.
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY TWO.
-
-REVEALS THE CIPHER RECORD.
-
-In the study at Pembridge Gardens, the silence only broken by the solemn
-ticking of the little Sheraton clock, Professor Griffin's calm, even
-voice was slowly dictating to Gwen the translation from the Hebrew of
-the cipher record into English.
-
-The girl, as her father's amanuensis, had long ago become quite an
-expert with the typewriter, and in order to make a clear copy she had
-seated herself at the machine, her slim, white fingers deftly touching
-the keys.
-
-"If you are ready dear, we'll begin," said the old man, drawing his
-folios of scribbled Hebrew towards him.
-
-"I'm quite ready, dad," she assured him, pulling her skirt around her at
-the little table by his side upon which the typewriter was fixed.
-
-"Very well, then.  I'll translate slowly.  Forgive me if I hesitate,
-child, for some of it may perhaps be difficult to put into intelligible
-or Biblical English.  It is really a most astounding statement by a
-scribe of the Temple."
-
-Then, after a brief pause, he began to dictate to her the hidden record,
-which was as follows:
-
-"_Remember and forget not, O Israel.  Not_ for thy righteousness, or for
-the uprightness of thine heart, dost thou go to possess thy land, but
-for the wickedness of these nations the Lord thy God shall drive them
-out before thee.
-
-"_Thou shalt love_ the Lord thy God and keep His charge, His statutes
-and His commandments.
-
-"_And_ know ye this day why this secret record is written, that it may
-be preserved unto the just...  _The_ lapse of years are nearing its
-filling.  _The_ relief of the Doom will come, in spite of all.  _The_
-people's right is nearing.  _The_ period of the Blood-debts, and that of
-the Suppression will lose its power, and Israel shall be restored (here
-follow seven words undecipherable).
-
-"..._As_ the Lord God was against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief
-prince of Meshech and Tubal, Gomer and all his bands, the house of
-Togarmah, of the north quarters, so shall He be against all the enemies
-of Israel that spread over the land.  _For_ He will make His Holy name
-known in the midst of His people Israel, and will not let them pollute
-His Holy name any more; and the heathen shall know that He is the Lord,
-the Holy One in Israel...
-
-"_And the desolate_ places of the Land shall become populated, Jerusalem
-the city shall be restored, the sanctuary shall be set up, and the
-children of Israel shall be gathered there from the four corners of the
-earth where they will be found scattered.
-
-"_Be thou prepared_, and prepare thyself, for the Lord God will make a
-covenant of peace with His chosen people; it shall be a peace
-everlasting and His tabernacle shall be set in the midst of them for
-evermore, even upon Mount Moriah.
-
-"_Stay_ yourselves, and wonder, for unto thee, O children of Israel, are
-the greater treasures of Solomon's Temple still preserved.  _And_ thus
-it is therein written in a book that is sealed, so that the wicked of
-Babylon and the enemies of Israel shall not know.  _Verily_ I say unto
-you the Ark of the Covenant, and the tablets, and the rod of Aaron, and
-the other sacred objects which Solomon placed in the house of the Lord
-are still with thee, O Israel, until the wastes be builded, the cities
-inhabited and the Lord God cometh again unto the mountains of
-Jerusalem... for your own ways--and the Lord will build up the ruined
-places--
-
-"_Know ye the truth_ concerning the sacred treasures of Israel, the
-vessels out of the house of the Lord.  _In_ the third year of Jehoiakim,
-King of Judah, cameth one night into Jerusalem one Hashbbiah, a secret
-messenger from Antioch, who seeking Zeruiah, the high priest, told him
-in private that Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon, had advanced upon the hosts
-of Pharaoh-Necho at Carchemish and defeated him, and that the King of
-Babylon had taken from the river of Egypt unto the river Euphrates all
-that pertained unto the King of Egypt.
-
-"_Now_ Zeruiah, a man full of learning, remembered the prayer of
-Solomon, and saw that the prophecy of the fall of Jerusalem was to be
-fulfilled, and that Judah was to be led into captivity by the
-Babylonians...  _And_ he went out upon the mountain alone and prayed
-unto the Lord.  _And_ the Lord directed him to take counsel of six
-priests, of whom one was the prophet Ezekiel, to decide how the sacred
-things of the house of the Lord should be held from the hands of the
-despoiler.
-
-"_And to one of the priests_, Uzziah, son of Haziah who came from Gaza,
-was revealed a hiding-place outside the gates of Jerusalem, beyond the
-valley of Jehoshaphat, where the treasures could be concealed beneath
-the earth in a dry-room, in connection with a series of water-tunnels,
-which could be emptied only by those who knew the secret gate of the
-waters.
-
-"_And the ears of Zeruiah_ the high priest, heard a voice behind him
-saying: `This is the way, walk ye in it.  Place the treasures of the
-house of Jehovah therein, and seal them with the waters, so that no man
-shall know.'
-
-"_So_ at night he went with Uzziah onto the place that was revealed,
-which is on the side of the mount.
-
-"_And_ he saw that it had been used by thieves in the days when Rehoboam
-was king, and that its entrance had since been unknown to any man.
-
-"_And returning to_ the inner court of the Temple in darkness of night
-he went into the Holy Place and called unto him Baruch, the son of
-Neriah, Sherebbiah, the scribe, Ezekiel the priest, and the five other
-priests.  _And_ together both that night and the next and through many
-nights did they carry forth the most treasured objects of the Temple
-down into the valley, letting no man know that they were being taken
-from the house of the Lord.
-
-"_For since the beginning_ of the world men have not seen such great
-treasure as was in the darkness removed from the house of Jehovah, from
-the defenceless city upon which the judgment of God was set.  _Woe_ unto
-Jerusalem for Nebuchadnezzar was hastening upon the City of Judah, and
-the hour of her destruction was approaching.
-
-"_And they took from_ the Holy of Holies the Ark of the Covenant,
-together with the stone tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, the pot
-of manna and the staff of Aaron and the two cherubims of fine gold, the
-Urim and Thummim with two rubies of great size and a multitude of other
-gems set around them...  And of the other treasures of the house of the
-Lord did they bring forth; of basons of pure gold made by Solomon which
-Shishak, Ging of Egypt had restored, three thousand and forty; of the
-chargers of gold eight hundred and two; of the candlesticks of gold from
-the oracle four; of the lamps of gold six hundred and ten, of the tongs
-of gold six hundred, and of the smaller tablets of gold four score and
-five; of spoons of gold two thousand; of censers of gold one thousand
-and forty-six, and of the bowls which Solomon commanded to be made of
-the gold of Ophir two thousand and seventy...  _Furthermore_ of the gems
-and precious stones of Solomon they took seven ox-loads of fine gold,
-three talents together with the archives of the Temple in secret; so
-that of the vessels of gold there remained only about six thousand and
-these Nebuchadnezzar afterwards carried off to Babylon, where they were
-dedicated unto his god Belus--
-
-"_It came even to pass_ that when the King of Babylon and his host
-searched for the other holy vessels of the Temple they found them not,
-for they knew not their hiding-place, and none knew save the priests and
-the two scribes.  _Wherefore_ afterwards in my captivity in Babylon, I,
-Michaiah the scribe, invented this secret writing by which the place of
-concealment of the tablets of Moses should not be lost.  Secure shall
-they remain, with the great treasure, the war-chest of the house of
-Israel, until the coming of the Messiah, who alone may open their place
-of concealment, in order that He may furnish proof of the faith.  _He_
-hath chosen Jerusalem that His name may be there.
-
-"_And be it now known_ unto you in what place to seek for the chamber of
-the sacred Ark.  _At_ the lower platform of the brazen altar of the
-Temple turn thy face to the southward, and measure four reeds and
-thirty-three legal cubits, unto the north end of the Pool of Siloh.
-_Thence_, to the sunrise, measure one thousand and fifty cubits unto the
-highest point on the mount of Solomon's idolatry.  _Face_ unto the
-south-west, and measure ten-score cubits and four, down to the hillside
-to the face of stone.  _From_ the cleft fifteen cubits.
-
-"_Moreover, at the gate_ of the Priests at the north-west corner of the
-sanctuary, face the south-east, and pace four hundred and three cubits
-unto the centre of the tomb in the Valley of Jehoshaphat, and thence to
-the south nine reeds and three-score cubits, which bringest thee unto
-the same wall of rock, fifteen cubits from the cleft.
-
-"_And the distance_ from En-rogel is, to the north-east, of cubits three
-hundred and ninety-four, where the entrance faceth directly the bend of
-the Valley of Hinnom.
-
-"_Of the three entrances_, two are impassable.  Know ye therefore that
-the third is in the face of the rock, concealed from the sight of all
-men at the point where the valleys converge, at the base of the mount,
-from the cleft fifteen legal cubits.
-
-"_To learn_ the whereabouts of the secret chamber of the Ark, O ye
-Israel, measure from the hidden entrance up the face of the rock and
-over the mount with thine eyes set to the east two reeds and fourscore
-cubits and three, till thou comest to the gate of stone set in the rock
-which, when opened, will let forth the flood to admit thee from the
-Valley of Jehoshaphat.
-
-"_O hear me_, ye enemies of the Lord!  Curses, yea, sixty times six
-curses shall be upon the head of any who dare to attempt to violate the
-sacred treasure-house of Israel.
-
-"_Moreover the Lord_ hath performed the word that He spake, and Judah
-remaineth beneath the heel of the oppressor.
-
-"_Now therefore these acts_ are not written in the book of the
-chronicles of Israel lest thine enemies search to recover the holy
-things.
-
-"_Hearken O Lord_ God of Israel to the supplications of Thy servant.  If
-Thy people be put to the worse before the enemy, because they have
-sinned against Thee, and shall return and confess Thy name, then hear
-Thou from the heavens and bring them again unto the land which Thou
-gavest to them and to their fathers.
-
-"_Wherefore I beseech Thee_ to stay Thine hand, and seek not to discover
-what is hidden until the Lord have given rest unto your brethren, as
-well as unto you, and until they also possess the Land, which the Lord
-your God hath given them.
-
-"_For he who entereth therein_ shall be accursed.  Cursed shalt thou be
-in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.  Cursed shalt thou
-be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out
-_The_ Lord shall send thee cursing, vexation and rebuke, in all that
-thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and
-until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings.
-_Fear_ the Lord thy God.
-
-"_These words am I commanded_ by Zeruiah the high priest to write in our
-captivity in secret script, that only those of the faith shall know and
-shall understand."
-
-And when the girl had finished typing, she raised her head, and stared
-at her father in abject wonder.  Here was the complete solution of the
-problem!  The truth was written there!
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY THREE.
-
-IN THE NIGHT.
-
-Laura, the parlour-maid, had been let in at the area-door by the cook,
-to whom she had made her excuses for the lateness of the hour, and had
-crept up to her room, fully satisfied at having assisted her
-good-looking lover.  She was, of course, in utter ignorance that "Mr
-Miller" was the person to whom Miss Gwen's mysterious absence from home
-had been due.  Otherwise she certainly would not have fallen into the
-trap.
-
-Meanwhile, in the study, with the typed folios of the cipher before him,
-the old Professor sat making certain explanations to his daughter and
-answering her eager questions.
-
-"We ought to telegraph to Frank the first thing in the morning, dad!"
-she cried, when she had recovered from her excitement at learning the
-secret.
-
-"I have not yet decided upon my course of action, dear," was his slow,
-deliberate answer.  "To-night we are dealing with this astounding record
-of the authenticity of which there seems not the slightest doubt.  I
-have been using the exact copy of the St Petersburg text of Ezekiel--
-the oldest known manuscript.  It is evident from the word of Michaiah
-the scribe, that, having invented the cipher, he altered certain words
-of the original text of Ezekiel with Ezekiel's knowledge and consent, in
-order to include in the book this secret record."
-
-"It agrees entirely with Biblical history, does it not?" asked the girl.
-
-"Yes.  Several hitherto uncertain facts are here explained.  For
-instance, it is now made quite clear that Shishak, King of Egypt,
-restored to the Temple certain of the basins of gold made by Solomon.
-Again, Michaiah shows that none of the sacred vessels secreted were
-afterwards used in the Temple.  Those used in the second temple were
-certainly those carried away by Nebuchadnezzar and restored by Cyrus."
-
-Then rising he took from a cupboard a large roll-map of the environs of
-Jerusalem issued by the Palestine Exploration Fund, and both studied it
-very closely.
-
-"What is meant by the mount of Solomon's idolatry?" asked Gwen.
-
-"It is now known as the Mount of the Offence," he answered.  "Here it
-is--about half a mile almost due south of the temple mount.  Sometimes
-it is called the Mount of Scandal, for upon it Solomon and some of his
-successors built high places, altars to Moloch, to Ashtoreth, and to
-other strange gods.  [1 Kings xi, 5-7.]  I recollect the hill quite
-well.  On the summit is now a Benedictine Monastery, while the slopes
-are occupied by a Jewish cemetery.  The Turks call it Baten el Hawa
-(Bottle of the Winds).  The measurements given seem to be most explicit,
-the entrance to the chamber being on the west side of the extreme south
-of the mount, facing the sudden bend in the Valley of Hinnom.  See,
-here," and he pointed to the spot upon the map.  "And at the east side,
-at some spot to be determined by measurements, are the secret
-flood-gates by which the waters can be released.  The `dry-room' is
-evidently situated above the water-tunnels, at such a height that the
-waters never rise there."
-
-"And can those ancient measures be worked out to modern measures?"
-
-"Yes.  We practically know almost exactly what was the reed, and what
-was the legal cubit of the days of Jehoiakim as compared with the
-ordinary cubit.  Surveyors will have no difficulty in finding the exact
-spot indicated."
-
-"You do not think, dad, that after the restoration and rebuilding of the
-Temple that the treasures were recovered?"
-
-"Certainly not.  If so, we should certainly have had some record in Holy
-Writ of the Ark of the Covenant and the tablets.  But there is none.
-Since a few days before Nebuchadnezzar's hosts entered Jerusalem, the
-Ark has never been seen.  My firm belief is that it is still in its
-place of concealment as stated by Michaiah the scribe."
-
-"And what shall you do now, dad?" inquired the girl, her elbows upon the
-table, as she looked up into his face.  "You have solved a problem that
-will startle the whole world!"
-
-"Yes, dear," he sighed, passing his hand across his brow.  "It is so
-remarkable that I hardly know how to act.  I must, of course, see
-Diamond and Farquhar, and consult with them.  One thing is quite
-certain; for the present we must keep this matter a most profound
-secret.  If our enemies were to gain wind of it, they would send out at
-once and purchase the land for themselves."
-
-"But they can't know, dad."
-
-"Ah, dear!  I'm--I'm suspicious.  With such enormous possibilities
-before us, who knows that our secret enemies may not have bribed our
-servants," he said.  "For that reason, Gwen dear--and please forgive
-me--fearing that there might be eaves-droppers, I purposely, when
-explaining to you the cipher this afternoon, rearranged and omitted some
-of the second portion of it, so that our secret could not possibly leak
-out."
-
-"But surely, dad!" cried the girl.  "You don't suspect Laura or
-Mullingar, or Kate, being in the employ of our enemies, do you?"
-
-"My child, it is best to be always wary in a matter such as this.  As
-your friend Mr Mullet has already told you, they appear to be most
-unscrupulous."
-
-"I wonder where Mr Mullet is--why he doesn't write or telephone to me,
-as he promised."
-
-"Don't distress yourself about him," urged the old Professor.  "We hold
-the secret, and for to-night at least that is sufficient."
-
-And then, after gathering the typed sheets together he put a fastener
-through them and locked the precious decipher carefully in one of the
-drawers of his writing-table.  Then a few moments later, it already
-being two o'clock in the morning, they both ascended to their rooms.
-
-When upon the landing, the old man kissed his daughter tenderly on the
-brow as was his habit, saying:
-
-"Good-night, my child.  I fear you must be very tired.  But think!--we
-have completed our task.  We alone know the great secret which will
-convulse the whole civilised world!"
-
-In her own pretty room Gwen threw herself into the cosy chintz-covered
-armchair before the fire, and pondered deeply.
-
-She was thinking of Frank--ever of him.  Though she had been fond of
-flirtation, and though perhaps she had committed grave breaches of the
-_convenances_ before she had known young Farquhar, yet all had now
-changed.  She would give her very life for him--for was she not his, and
-his alone?
-
-Over her spread the thought of the man who had posed as Frank's friend--
-that man who had laughed defiance in her face, the man who was in league
-with her father's enemies.  Who was he?  What was he? she wondered.
-Then there rose before her the recollection of the man Mullet, the man
-with the ugly past, as he himself had admitted, yet nevertheless devoted
-to his little daughter, and a gentleman.  She longed to see him again--
-to introduce him to her lover, and to tell the latter the whole strange
-truth.
-
-To her, it seemed as though Mullet feared the man who had so cleverly
-entrapped her, just as he was the "cat's-paw" of the bloated red-faced
-man who had raised his hand to strike her.
-
-Who were these people? she wondered.  Why did Mullet fear them?
-
-Having exchanged her dress for an easy _robe-de-chambre_, she sat before
-the fire plaiting her long dark tresses, her eyes fixed upon the fire,
-now fast dying away.
-
-She had knowledge of that marvellous secret--the whereabouts of the
-bewildering treasure of Israel.  Yet how would it all end?  Why had her
-father suspicion of spies in their own home?  What could he suspect?
-
-She wondered, as she had often wondered, what conclusion her father had
-formed regarding her mysterious absence from home, and often, in her
-moments of reflection, she found herself puzzled and pondering regarding
-her unconsciousness on that never-to-be-forgotten night when she had
-found herself alone and helpless in the hands of the man who had laughed
-at her innocence and dismay.
-
-She dare not tell Frank.  It was her secret--a dark secret which she had
-resolved to keep at all hazards--one that he should never know.
-
-"But he is mine again!" she murmured to herself, a sweet smile of
-contentment playing about her lips.  "I have been a fickle girl, I know,
-but, after all, every girl is entitled to have one good time in her
-life.  I've had mine, and I have found Frank.  I love him, and he loves
-me.  I know he does.  And to-morrow dad will `wire' him, and I shall see
-him again.  Ah! what will he say, I wonder--now that dad has discovered
-the secret.  Dear old dad!  He deserves all the _kudos_ he'll get from
-the great discovery, for he's worked hard--worked night and day almost.
-And the ugly little Doctor?  I wonder how he'll take it?  One thing is
-plain, that we have outwitted that red-faced scoundrel and his friends.
-We know the truth, while they are still in ignorance."
-
-For a long time she sat, her pretty head, with its two long plaits
-secured by blue ribbons, pillowed upon the muslin-covered cushion in the
-low comfortable armchair, her bare feet thrust into slippers, and upon
-her sweet countenance an expression of calm content.
-
-The little clock upon her mantelshelf, chiming the half-hour--half-past
-three--aroused her from her reverie, and she shivered, for the fire had
-died away and the room had now become chilly.  So preoccupied had she
-been that she had not noticed that the fire was already out.
-
-As she stirred herself, she suddenly recollected that, downstairs in the
-study, she had left her book in which she was greatly interested, and
-which she wanted to continue when she awoke in the morning.  It was a
-heavy work of one of the German philosophers which she was studying, for
-since leaving school she had done a vast amount of reading, especially
-French and German literature.  She was highly educated and cultured,
-and, unlike the average young girl of our twentieth century, she had not
-put aside her books with her ankle-skirts.
-
-In her long trailing robe of pale _eau-de-nil_ she crossed the room, and
-seating herself at her writing-table scribbled a note to her dressmaker,
-which she had forgotten.  Then having put a stamp upon it, she quickly
-opened her door, crept softly past her father's room, fearing to wake
-him, and down the thickly carpeted stairs where her slippered feet fell
-noiselessly.
-
-She had no candle, but she knew her way about the house quite well in
-the dark, and also knew where to put her hand upon most of the electric
-switches.
-
-Creeping softly down, afraid every moment that the stairs would creak--
-for stairs always have a horrid habit of creaking in the silence of the
-night--she carried the letter in her hand for the purpose of placing it
-in the rack in the study which Laura always cleared when she went to the
-room in the morning, and Kate took the letters to the post-office down
-at the corner.
-
-Reaching the landing she crossed it to the study-door, but as she did so
-she saw, to her surprise, a light issuing from the crack beneath.
-
-Her father had evidently returned there to continue his work, as he
-sometimes did when unable to sleep.
-
-For a second she hesitated whether she should enter, but making up her
-mind suddenly, she placed her fingers upon the handle and opened the
-door.
-
-Next instant, however, uttering a low cry, she stood upon the threshold,
-rigid as one petrified.
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR.
-
-"SILENCE FOR SILENCE!"
-
-"_You_!"
-
-It was the only word which the girl uttered, but its tone showed her
-horror and indignation.
-
-The green-shaded light was, she saw, switched on at the writing-table,
-and as she entered, there before her, seated in her father's chair, was
-the man who had posed as Frank's friend, "Captain Wetherton!"
-
-As she had slowly opened the door he had raised his head, pale and
-startled.  But only for a second.  When he recognised who it was, he
-rose and, bowing, smiled with perfect _sangfroid_.
-
-He had entered the house with the false latch-key which he had had made
-from the wax impression he had taken of the key which Gwen had carried
-on that night of the false assignation.  His only fear had been,
-however, a meeting with the girl Laura.
-
-Now that he saw that it was not she, he only smiled triumphantly.
-
-"Yes," he said simply.  "It's me!  Are you very surprised?"
-
-Instantly she recognised that, upon the blotting-pad, was lying open the
-precious document which she herself had typed.  He had opened the
-drawer, abstracted it, and read it.
-
-He, her enemy, knew their secret!
-
-"By what right, pray, are you here, sir?" she demanded, advancing into
-the room boldly, and facing him.
-
-"I have no right.  I'm here just by my own will," was his quick, defiant
-response.
-
-"This is my father's house, and I shall alarm him," she said
-determinedly.  "You have no right thus to pry into his private affairs!"
-
-"I have to decide that, Miss Griffin," he said, as over his dark face
-spread that evil smile she remembered so well.
-
-Having risen from the chair, he had now advanced closely to her.  She
-noticed that he wore thick woollen socks over his boots, so as to muffle
-his footsteps, while upon his hands were a pair of grey _suede_ gloves
-which appeared too large for him.  Jim Jannaway had been a man of many
-precautions, ever since his finger-prints had been taken on a certain
-memorable day at Ipswich police-station, prior to his conviction.
-
-"But," he laughed, examining her from head to toe, "you really look
-charming, my dear little girl--even better than when in your walking
-kit.  Why!" he exclaimed, pointing across the room.  "Why--what's that--
-over there?"
-
-She turned suddenly, taking her eyes off him for an instant, but saw
-nothing.  His ruse succeeded, for that instant was sufficient for him to
-slip behind her and close the door, turning the key in the lock.
-
-"I must apologise for doing this in your own house, Miss Griffin, but I
-fear that we may be overheard," he said.  "Now I want to have a very
-serious chat with you."
-
-"I wish to say nothing to you, sir," she replied drawing herself up
-haughtily, the train of her pretty gown sweeping the floor.  "I only
-demand to know what you are doing here, reading my father's papers."
-
-"And suppose I refuse to tell you--eh?" he asked, raising his brows.
-
-"Then I shall scream, and alarm the household.  They will hand you over
-to the police."
-
-"And if you were so ill-advised as to do that, Miss Griffin," answered
-the fellow impudently, advancing a step nearer to her, and looking
-straight into her face.  "Well--you would suffer very severely for it.
-That's all."
-
-"I'm prepared to take all the consequences," was her calm reply.
-
-"Take care!" he said threateningly, in a low hoarse voice.  "I'm a
-desperate man when driven into a corner."
-
-"You mean rather that you're a coward when cornered," she said coldly.
-"I am glad to have this opportunity of meeting, in order to repay you
-for the gross injustice which you have done me."
-
-"You're a little fool!" he said in a hard tone.  "Keep quiet, or
-somebody will hear you."
-
-"You entrapped me in that place.  I have now entrapped you--in my own
-house," she exclaimed, with a look of triumph.
-
-"Not for long," he said determinedly.  "Do you know that I could
-strangle you where you stand, and still get clear.  Even though you
-screamed.  I already have a rope on the balcony yonder, down into the
-street.  But don't be alarmed.  I have no wish to injure you, my dear
-little girl--not in the least.  We will just make an arrangement, and
-cry quits."
-
-"What do you mean?"
-
-"Well, listen.  You've discovered me here, and you could give me away.
-But I want to buy your silence."
-
-"Buy my silence!" she exclaimed, staring at him.  "Yes.  Why not?  You
-must buy mine.  Shall we not then be quits?"
-
-She regarded him with a puzzled air.  He was her bitterest foe, and she
-was wondering what was the true meaning of the suggestion.  She was
-undecided, too, whether not to alarm the house, instead of parleying
-further.  She had caught the fellow in her father's room wearing the
-apparel of the modern burglar, therefore the police would, without
-doubt, arrest him as such.
-
-Suddenly her mind was made up, and with a quick movement she rushed
-across to the electric bell beside the fireplace.
-
-He gave vent to a short dry laugh of triumph, the reason of which was
-next second plain.  The little porcelain push had been broken, and the
-contact disarranged.
-
-Jim Jannaway always took precautions.  He was a cool and calculating
-scoundrel.
-
-She turned upon him in quick anger, and he saw that she intended to
-scream for help.
-
-"One moment, if you please, Miss Griffin," he cried in a low voice.
-"Just hear my suggestion before you raise the alarm and compel me to
-depart hurriedly through the window.  A word now will save both of us a
-great deal of unnecessary bother afterwards.  You're a very brave little
-girl, and I admire you for it.  Most other girls, on seeing me here,
-would have gone into hysterics, or fainted.  But you're a little
-`brick.'"
-
-"Thank you, this is really no time for compliments," was her cold,
-resentful reply.  "Please say what you have to say, and quickly."
-
-She had managed to cross the room half-way, and from where she now stood
-she could see that the precious document she had typed lay open at its
-last page.  The fellow had evidently read it all!
-
-"Well," he said, in that easy-going manner of his that she found so
-extremely irritating.  "As far as I can at present discern, Miss
-Griffin, the game is a drawn one.  I can quite--"
-
-"I consider it blackguardly impertinence on your part to enter my
-father's house at night, and read his private papers," she protested,
-her face pale and determined.
-
-"My dear girl, to me your opinion of my actions really doesn't matter,"
-he laughed.  "I wanted to discover something, and have adopted the
-easiest means of doing so."
-
-"Even at risk of being arrested?"
-
-"Oh, I shan't be arrested," he laughed.  "Don't think I'm afraid of
-that.  Why, my dear girl, perhaps you wouldn't believe it, but this
-isn't the first time I've been in this very room.  I know what's in all
-those drawers yonder, and even the balance in your father's banker's
-pass-book."
-
-"You've been here before!" gasped the girl astounded.  "How did you get
-in?"
-
-"Why, with your own key.  It was easy enough.  Your servants never bolt
-the front door.  They really ought to be more careful, you know," he
-laughed.
-
-She hesitated for a moment, and in that slight hesitation he, crafty
-malefactor that he was, recognised that he had triumphed.
-
-"I may presume, I suppose, that you've read that document upon the
-writing-table?" she asked a moment later.
-
-"I have--every word of it," he replied, with a polite bow.
-
-"That is why you came here?"
-
-"It was.  I really expected to experience greater trouble in finding it.
-I opened only three drawers before coming across it."
-
-"Probably you'd like a copy of it," she said, with bitter sarcasm.
-
-"Thank you, no.  I have a very excellent memory, and can recollect all I
-require.  Besides, I've taken a few notes," was the bold and defiant
-answer, "All I would request of you, my dear girl, is to keep a still
-tongue in your head, go up to bed, and forget all about this unexpected
-meeting.  Such a course will be much the best for you, I assure you."
-
-"You--my enemy, are trying to advise me as a friend--eh?  This is really
-amusing!  I tell you quite frankly that I intend to give you over to the
-police.  You cleverly entrapped me, and now from me you may expect no
-clemency."
-
-"I want none," he laughed.  "But if I'm arrested, your friend, `Red
-Mullet,' shall also see the inside of a prison again.  I promise you
-that."
-
-"He is innocent of this burglary," she said.
-
-"But he isn't innocent of certain other little matters about which
-Scotland Yard will be only too delighted to know," replied the fellow,
-with an evil grin.  "So if you don't want him to go to `quod'--and he's
-been pretty good to you, I think--you'd better remain silent about
-to-night.  And there's the other matter--the--"
-
-And he paused, and looked straight into her face, without concluding.
-
-"Well?" she asked in a hard voice, holding the train of her robe with
-one hand, and still facing him boldly.  "And what is the other matter,
-pray?"
-
-"I wish to tell you quite plainly that if you choose to be a little
-fool, you'll take the consequences.  They'll fall on you, and pretty
-heavily too.  Trust me to escape them."
-
-"And I tell you that I intend to be a little fool, as you so politely
-put it," was her fearless response.  "It is my duly to my father to go
-at once and tell him of my discovery.  And I will!"
-
-"Very well," he answered quite calmly, his evil eyes still fixed upon
-hers.  "Go.  You are perfectly at liberty.  To me, it is of no great
-consequence, but to you it will mean both the ruin of your reputation
-and the loss of your lover!"
-
-"How?" she gasped quickly, her face in an instant as pale as death.
-
-"How?" he echoed in a fierce low whisper, advancing until he was close
-to the girl.  "Cannot you see that I shall tell Frank Farquhar the truth
-of your absence from your home--that you met me, and stayed with me in
-those rooms!"
-
-"You scoundrel!" she cried, drawing away from him, her cheeks flushed
-with sudden anger.  "You threatened this before--you despicable coward,
-to thus try and take advantage of a woman's good name!  You destroyed
-that false telegram, so that I should not have it to show as proof!"
-
-"You could get a copy from the post-office, I daresay," he laughed
-airily.  "But I merely make plain what is my intention, and that's why
-I've come to the conclusion that the game between us is a drawn one."
-
-"Your threats have no terror for me!" she exclaimed, turning fiercely
-upon him.  He saw that in her big eyes was determination and defiance,
-and was surprised.
-
-"Then shout away, my dear girl--scream the house down, if you like," he
-laughed coolly, as though with utter unconcern.  "But just let me put
-things straight again first."  Then walking to the writing-table he took
-the translation of the decipher, replaced it in its drawer, and relocked
-it with a key he drew from his pocket.
-
-His coolness was amazing, his cunning, extraordinary.  The long window
-leading to the balcony over the portico was ajar.  He had fixed a thin
-silken rope to the railings ready for escape to the street in case of
-necessity.
-
-"Your conduct is abominable!" she ejaculated.  "What harm have I done
-you that I should deserve this?"
-
-"My dear girl, my conduct is only abominable of necessity, I assure
-you," he argued with an impudent smile.  "Our compact is simple enough.
-You do not wish to lose the man you love.  Indeed, why should you?"
-
-"Ah! why indeed?" she cried.  "I have you alone to thank for all the
-evil suspicions cast upon me."
-
-"You have told them nothing--of course.  You're far too clever for
-that--eh?" he remarked, standing easily before her with his hands in his
-pockets.  "Besides, what could you say?"
-
-"I could say nothing," she replied bitterly.  "I only know that you lied
-to me, by posing as Frank's friend."
-
-"My dear little girl," he answered with an arrogant laugh.  "I was
-compelled to tell you a fairy-story, because--well, shall I tell you the
-truth?--because I was so very anxious for the loan of your latch-key."
-
-"Then why was I kept there a prisoner?  Why did that red-faced
-blackguard come to me, and threaten me?"
-
-"I had nothing whatever to do with that.  I was not there," he
-protested.
-
-"You enticed me into the hateful place by saying that Frank was in
-hiding there," she replied firmly.
-
-"For the reason I have already explained.  I apologise.  Can I do more,
-Miss Griffin?"
-
-"Apologise!" she echoed in a hoarse whisper.  "You apologise!  I wish
-for no apology!"
-
-"But you desire your own happiness, and can secure it, providing I am
-silent," he said in a low, clear deliberate voice.  "Think what it would
-mean to you if you gave the alarm--the wrecking of your own life, and
-the arrest of your friend Mullet!  But I give you perfect liberty to
-choose your future course of action.  I have no wish to coerce you."
-
-"You could not, even if you wished!" she declared, yet through her brain
-surged thoughts of what the loss of Frank would mean to her.
-
-The man before her was a blackguard.  He had shown himself as such.
-With perfect coolness he could besmirch her fair name in such a manner
-that it could never again be cleared.
-
-At that moment the girl was fighting for her own honour as well as her
-father's secret which this man had gained.  It was a secret no longer--
-it could never be.  Their enemies had triumphed!
-
-She set her teeth hard, and tried to think.
-
-Jim Jannaway was quick to notice her change of manner.
-
-"Remember," he remarked, "one word to your father regarding this visit
-of mine, and your lover and your father shall know the truth!"
-
-"They will know whatever lies you invent regarding me!" she said in a
-voice of intense bitterness.
-
-He only shrugged his shoulders and smiled.  She, a mere innocent girl,
-had no chance against his quick intellect, sharpened as it had been by
-years of crafty cunning and double dealing.  To the "crooks" and
-silk-hatted adventurers of London the very name of Jim Jannaway was
-synonymous of all that was perfection in kid-gloved blackguardism.
-
-"Well," he said a moment later, "I haven't time for further argument,
-Miss Griffin.  I'm sorry I can't stay longer.  Perhaps the front door
-would be a less conspicuous exit for me."
-
-And so saying he stepped out upon the balcony, untied the silken rope
-from the railing, rolled it up swiftly, and placed it in his pocket.
-
-A moment later he was again standing before her.
-
-She stood glaring at him with a look of bitter hatred, while he
-recognised that her lips were already effectually sealed.
-
-She dare not risk the suspicions which he could with a word place upon
-her.  Hence he, alas! held her in his power!
-
-"Remember!" he said, "I shall say nothing until you dare to give me
-away.  It is a compact between us.  Silence for silence!"
-
-Then, without further word, he moved across to the door, unlocked it,
-and next second had disappeared noiselessly down the stairs.
-
-And with him had gone the great secret of the hiding-place of the
-treasure of Israel which her father believed to be his--and his alone!
-
-The girl cast herself into a chair, and gave way to a paroxysm of tears.
-
-Jim Jannaway and his friends had again triumphed.
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE.
-
-SHOWS FURTHER COMPLICATIONS.
-
-At nine o'clock next morning the hunch-backed Doctor, pale and eager,
-was closeted with the Professor, to whom he related what he had
-witnessed while watching outside the house in Berkeley Square on the
-previous night.
-
-In consequence of this, the good-looking Laura was summoned to the
-study, closely questioned, and returning impudent answers, was summarily
-dismissed and left the house.
-
-"So it is Sir Felix Challas who is desirous of ascertaining our secret,"
-remarked Aminger Griffin, greatly surprised, "He is such a great
-churchman, and such a high-minded philanthropist, that I can hardly
-believe that he should employ such methods.  Why, only this very week I
-saw in the papers that he has made a fourth donation to Guy's Hospital
-of two thousand pounds."
-
-"He is a swindler, hiding himself beneath the cloak of religion,"
-declared Diamond emphatically.  "I have seen Mullet this morning, and he
-has promised to call and have a chat with you.  He will come to-day, I
-expect."
-
-"Well," exclaimed the Professor with some hesitation, and with a smile
-of triumph upon his lips, "we need have no further fear of our enemies,
-Doctor, for we have forestalled them.  Yesterday I succeeded in
-deciphering the whole record in Ezekiel, and convincing myself of the
-existence of a similar cipher in Deuteronomy.  I have here the complete
-translation in English."  And he placed the document in the Doctor's
-trembling hands.
-
-The ugly little man read it through eagerly, and then sat staring
-straight into the Professor's face.
-
-"Then the secret of the treasure of Israel is revealed!" he gasped in a
-low voice, as though fearing to be overheard.  "But is it not probable
-that your servant listened, and heard you tell Miss Gwen the manner in
-which the cipher could be read?"
-
-"No doubt.  But fearing that, in a matter of this magnitude I might be
-the victim of treachery, I deviated slightly from the correct key, in
-such a manner as to throw out the whole reading!" laughed the Professor.
-"I told my daughter so afterwards."
-
-"Mullet has told me a good deal.  I stayed with him in his rooms last
-night," the Doctor said.  "It appears that Sir Felix Challas's methods
-are, on occasions, so unscrupulous as to be criminal.  In his employ he
-has a dangerous scoundrel named Jim Jannaway--a thief and gaol-bird,
-though his exterior is that of a gentleman.  He has served several terms
-of imprisonment for burglary.  To this man the philanthropist of
-Berkeley Square, who received a Baronetcy for his good deeds, leaves his
-dirty work.  From what Mullet told me I should not be surprised that it
-was he who arranged that your servant should spy upon you."
-
-"Mullet is also an outsider, is he not?" remarked the Professor with
-some suspicion.
-
-"Of course, but of necessity.  Though he may rob the rich, he prides
-himself on never having done a mean action to a poor person, or a
-woman."
-
-"Ah!  Doctor," laughed Griffin.  "I see you believe in degrees of
-crime--eh?"
-
-"In this case, yes.  `Red Mullet' has greatly assisted us.  It was he
-who telegraphed to me from his retreat in Kent to watch the house in
-Berkeley Square.  And now he has explained to me many points which were
-hitherto mysteries."
-
-"We need have no fear of our enemies now," remarked the Professor, as at
-that moment Gwen, looking fresh in her white blouse and navy serge
-skirt, entered the room brightly and greeted the ugly little hunchback.
-"It only remains for us to call Farquhar into conference, and decide how
-we shall act.  Somebody should proceed at once to Jerusalem, decide the
-exact spot, and purchase the land.  We can have time for further
-operations when once the land on both sides of the hill is ours.
-Farquhar has promised that Sir George will find the necessary funds for
-that, if we so desire."
-
-Gwen, holding her breath, walked to the window and looked out upon the
-gloomy London street.
-
-Her position was hideous.  Her father believed that the great secret was
-his--and his alone.  Frank would believe it--and by remaining silent she
-would be misleading her lover into a false sense of security.
-
-She knew, alas! that their enemies would hesitate at nothing--that the
-Treasure of Israel was already lost to them--lost to the Jews for ever!
-
-With her back turned to her father and his visitor she stood listening,
-her clenched hands trembling.  What could she do?  How could she act?
-
-Suppose she told the truth, and bore the inevitable blow?
-
-"It's certainly fortunate that you did not explain to Miss Gwen the
-actual mode of deciphering the record," the Doctor was remarking, "for
-Sir Felix and Haupt, at any rate, cannot gain the knowledge we have
-gained."
-
-"Sir Felix--who--dad?" inquired the girl, turning quickly.
-
-"Sir Felix Challas, my dear," was the Professor's reply.  "The Doctor
-has discovered that it is he who is our enemy.  He poses as a great
-philanthropist as you well know.  His portrait is in this week's
-_Tatler_--over yonder."
-
-The girl crossed quickly, took up the paper, and searched the pages
-eagerly.  Then when her gaze fell upon the picture, the journal nearly
-fell from her nerveless fingers.
-
-She recognised the brutal, red-faced man who had been her inquisitor,
-and who would have struck her had not Mullet interfered, and stood her
-champion.
-
-Beneath the portrait was a laudatory notice of the hypocrite's noble
-contribution to the funds of charities of London.
-
-"You see, Doctor," her father went on, not noticing the girl's blanched
-face and horror-struck eyes, "Erich Haupt will only be entirely misled
-by the statement I made to Gwen.  By using the cipher in that manner, he
-will obtain a jumble of Hebrew letters which represent nothing.  No.  We
-need not fear Sir Felix and his anti-Semitic views in the least.  We
-alone know the place of concealment of the sacred treasure of Israel."
-
-"I have already telegraphed to Farquhar at Horsford.  He should be here
-before twelve."
-
-"And when he comes, we shall decide what to do," remarked the Professor.
-"I think he should go out at once to Palestine.  Only one of us must go
-to purchase the land, otherwise suspicion might be excited.  And if so,
-then good-bye to all our chances."
-
-"Sir Felix, if he cannot obtain the secret, may endeavour to upset our
-plans out there," remarked Gwen.  "He is a man of wealth and power,
-dad."
-
-"But he does not possess the information which we possess.  Professor
-Holmboe's secret is now ours--and ours alone!" he declared triumphantly.
-
-"Could we not get Mr Mullet to assist us, dad?" suggested the girl
-puzzled to distraction as to how she should act.  She was divided
-between her love and her duty.
-
-"No.  He will only help us in his own way," responded Doctor Diamond.
-
-The girl walked back to the long window which led out upon the balcony--
-the window which Jim Jannaway had been prepared to use as an emergency
-exit--and stood with her hands clasped behind her back, while the two
-men further discussed what they believed to be a most satisfactory
-situation.
-
-The land on both sides of the mount must be purchased in secret, they
-agreed, and not a word must leak out regarding the discovery until
-actual operations had commenced.  Then the Professor was to launch his
-startling statement upon the world in the form of an article in the
-_Contemporary_.  After the purchase of the land, the Professor, the
-Doctor, and an engineer were to go out to Jerusalem and make secret
-investigation.  The surveyor, whom Griffin proposed to send out with
-Farquhar to make secret survey upon the measurements contained in the
-cipher, was a young man in business at Richmond, a friend of his, to
-whom he proposed to give a small interest in the syndicate.
-
-"We are agreed, I suppose, Doctor, that at all hazards the most sacred
-relics and the archives of the Kingdom of Israel which are no doubt
-preserved there, shall be restored to the Jews?"  Griffin said.
-
-"Most certainly," was Diamond's reply.  "This man Challas intends, it
-seems, to revenge himself upon the Jews by desecrating the treasure."
-
-"But, dad!" cried the girl, "surely he would never be allowed to
-desecrate sacred relics!"
-
-"If he discovered them upon land he had purchased he might very easily
-destroy them before he could be prevented," her father pointed out.
-"There lies the great danger.  Fortunately, however, he will be unable
-to do that.  Farquhar must go out to Jerusalem at the earliest possible
-moment.  And I'll get young Pettit, the surveyor, up from Richmond this
-afternoon."
-
-Gwen's face was blanched, she stood rooted there, still staring down
-into the street, inexpressibly gloomy that winter's morning.  Lights
-were in the rooms of some of the houses opposite, while outside Notting
-Hill Gate Station, at the end of the road, the big electric globes were
-shedding their brilliance, as they did each night.
-
-How should she act?  She was calmly contemplating what might occur.  Her
-head reeled, for she had not closed her eyes since she had last stood in
-that room face to face with her enemy--the man who had filched the
-secret from them and departed.
-
-His threats rang in her ears.  If she revealed the truth, then Mullet
-would be arrested, and in addition a foul lie, which alas! she could not
-refute, would be told both her lover and her father!  She shuddered and
-held her breath.  Had she not already promised secrecy to Mullet!  Could
-she, after his self-sacrifice, deliberately bring ruin upon him?
-
-No.  She was hemmed in on every side by the impossible.  And even if she
-told the truth, it was now too late, alas!  Sir Felix Challas, great
-financier that he was, had agents in all the capitals, and possessed
-secret channels of information against which their little combination
-would be utterly powerless.  Alas! they were now only tilting at the
-wind.
-
-That red-faced blatant parvenu, that Jew-hating hypocrite who did his
-evil doings behind his moneybags, had triumphed!
-
-Whatever she said, whatever allegation she made against the Baronet or
-Jim Jannaway--for she now for the first time had learnt his name--would
-make no difference.  The bitterness of it all must fall upon her, and
-her alone.
-
-Her young heart was crushed, stifled, broken.
-
-If she spoke, or if she were silent, it was the same--she must play her
-lover false.
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY SIX.
-
-THE VICTIM OF SHAME.
-
-The tall red-moustached man stood in the dining-room with Gwen Griffin.
-
-She had seen his approach from the window, and dashing downstairs, had
-admitted him.  Taking him at once into the room she had closed the door,
-and in a few brief hasty words had admitted him to her confidence.
-
-"What!" he cried, staring at her in amazement.  "Jim Jannaway has dared
-to come here, to read the documents, and then to threaten you with this!
-Look here, Miss Griffin, the matter is much more serious for you than I
-had imagined.  Those fellows, Felix and Jim, will stick at nothing, but
-they shall not ruin your reputation.  Leave that to `Red Mullet'."
-
-"But, Mr Mullet," she cried, "he threatens your arrest if I tell my
-father the truth.  Besides, have I not promised secrecy to you?"
-
-"My dear child," he said, "go at once and tell your father the truth.
-Then leave the rest to me."
-
-"But what will he think of me?" she asked, her face blanched to the
-lips.
-
-"Let your father--indeed, let the world--think what it will of you, Miss
-Griffin.  You are an innocent victim of the avarice of these men, just
-as I am.  I stood your friend that day when I released you from
-bondage--and I will stand your friend still!"
-
-"They possess our secret."
-
-"That is a most unfortunate fact," he admitted.  "Still we must try and
-defy them.  I will do my best.  But if I fail," he added in a low
-earnest voice, "it will not be for want of endeavour, I promise you.  I
-tried to save you and your father once--and I will try again.  We must
-win even if we make some sacrifice."
-
-"But do not imperil yourself," she urged.  "Do not, I beg of you, Mr
-Mullet."
-
-"I shall act with both firmness and discretion, and if we but unmask
-these blackguards who have tried again to entrap you, we shall have done
-a service to society at large.  Unfortunately," he added with a sigh,
-"my own hands are none too clean."
-
-"You will see my father.  The Doctor is upstairs with him," she urged.
-
-"No--later!" he exclaimed hastily.  "At the present moment not a second
-is to be lost.  I must go to them, and see what we can do by firmness.
-Tell your father of Jim's visit here, but do not say you have seen me,
-and say nothing regarding the past--remember, nothing.  Promptness of
-action is now our only safeguard."
-
-And leaving the girl standing there bewildered, he passed out of the
-room, and next second she heard the front door closed behind her.
-
-Of his power to avert the natural flow of events she had but little
-confidence.  He was beneath the thumb of Sir Felix Challas, therefore,
-how could he hope to wrest back the secret which Jim Jannaway had
-learned?
-
-In any case, the good-looking scoundrel to whom a woman's honour was of
-no account, would carry out his threat, and Frank must, ere long, turn
-his back upon her, as he had done before.
-
-Her heart beat fast, and she placed her hand upon her breast, as if to
-stay its anxious throbbing.
-
-Mullet, though an adventurer himself, was right.  It was her duty to
-tell her father the truth, and not allow him to continue further in that
-sense of false security.
-
-Yet at what cost must her statement be made!  At cost, alas! of her own
-honour.
-
-Ere long she would not be able to look Frank in the face, for Jim
-Jannaway would lie so circumstantially that both her father and he would
-believe it to be the shameful truth.  Mullet would not admit the past.
-"Say nothing regarding the past," he had urged!  He had some strong
-motive in this--a motive that must, of itself, prevent him revealing the
-truth, and clearing her of the blemish placed upon her good name.
-
-Besides, would Frank ever accept the excuses made for her by a man of
-"Red Mullet's" stamp?  The actual truth was an ugly one.  She had been
-absent from home, and on returning, had refused to give an account of
-where she had been.  And now it was to be revealed that she had lived in
-"Red Mullet's" chambers!
-
-She burst into a flood of tears on recognising her own utter
-helplessness.
-
-Circumstances were entirely against her.  She could never hope to defend
-her own honour in the face of such dark facts.
-
-Suddenly she dried her eyes with a great effort, and looked at herself
-in the big mirror at the back of the high, old-fashioned carved
-sideboard.  She started to notice how pale she was, and how dark beneath
-the eyes.
-
-Then slowly she went out of the room, and up the stairs, in obedience to
-her protector, "Red Mullet."
-
-Hardly knowing what she did, or what words escaped her, she re-entered
-the study where her father, her lover and the Doctor were in
-consultation, and standing before them, described the scene that had
-occurred in that room during the night-hours.
-
-The three men, when they heard the astounding truth, started to their
-feet with one accord.
-
-"You!--Gwen--my daughter!" gasped the old Professor in a voice of bitter
-reproach.  "And you have allowed this--you allowed that man to gain our
-secret without alarming me!  I am ashamed of your conduct--heartily
-ashamed!"
-
-"I could not, father," answered the girl, panting and pale-faced, "I--I
-was afraid--I feared him!"
-
-She raised her eyes to Frank's, and saw in them a look of blank
-disappointment.  She now fully realised that if she had raised the
-alarm, the communication of the secret to Challas might perhaps have
-been prevented.  She pointed to the broken bell-push, and explained how
-before her entry there, the resourceful scoundrel had disarranged it as
-a precaution.
-
-Diamond paced the room in a frenzy of despair.  The little man raised
-his clenched fists above his head and uttered curses upon his enemies,
-for he saw that through his fingers at the very moment of success, there
-had slipped a colossal fortune.
-
-"Frank!" exclaimed the girl, in a low piteous voice, standing before him
-with bent head, "forgive me.  I--I was helpless last night.  I am
-helpless now!"
-
-"Forgive!" echoed her father in furious anger.  "How can he ever forgive
-you--how can I forgive you?  You might have been in fear of him at that
-moment, but upon your own showing, you knew him, is not that so?"
-
-"Yes, father," she faltered.  "I--I did know him."
-
-"Then you have had dealings with our enemies before!"  Frank cried, all
-his dark suspicions now suddenly aroused by her fears and apprehensions.
-
-"I told them nothing, though they tried to force me to."
-
-"You knew this man, Jim Jannaway, while I was in Copenhagen," said
-Frank, his eyes fixed upon her very seriously.  "Come, tell the truth,
-Gwen."
-
-She nodded in the affirmative, and unable to utter another word, burst
-again into tears.
-
-And the three men standing there saw that her tears were tears of shame.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-Two hours later, Frank Farquhar, dark-faced and determined, stood in one
-of the smaller rooms in Sir Felix Challas's house in Berkeley Square,
-while before him, seated easily on the edge of the table, was Jim
-Jannaway.
-
-"Well, Mr Farquhar," he said, "what you've just stated is to a certain
-extent correct.  I have no reason whatever to hide the truth, now that
-you have come to me and demanded it.  The investigation of Holmboe's
-story has simply been a matter of business in which the keenest wits
-win.  We have won."
-
-"By trickery--and by a burglary, for which Professor Griffin intends to
-have you arrested."
-
-Jannaway laughed impudently in his face.
-
-"My dear sir, pray don't be foolish," he answered, "why it was Miss
-Griffin herself who let me in, and who showed me her father's decipher
-of the message in Ezekiel.  And if you don't believe me," he added,
-"here's the telegram which the sent me."
-
-Frank took the telegram he handed him, and read the following words:
-"Shall place candle at my window at two to-morrow morning.  Come.  Have
-something very important to communicate.  Love, Gwen."
-
-Love!  The word danced before Frank's eyes.
-
-"Why should she be acting in your interests, Mr Jannaway, and not in
-her father's?  That seems to me a very curious point," he said, for want
-of something else to say.
-
-"There was a reason--a very strong reason," replied the fellow, with a
-mysterious grin, pretending, of course, to be unaware that Farquhar was
-the girl's lover; "the little girl is a particular friend of mine."
-
-"What do you mean?" gasped Frank, his face paler.
-
-"Well--what I say.  Need I be more explicit?  It is not usual for a man
-to imperil a girl's reputation, is it?"
-
-"Come," said Frank; "tell me the truth.  Is your acquaintance an
-intimate one?"
-
-The fellow nodded and laughed.  He plainly saw the result of his cruel
-aspersions upon the girl's character.
-
-"I don't believe it," declared Frank.
-
-"Oh! perhaps you are her friend also!" exclaimed Jannaway with a smile.
-"If so, you'd better ask her if she did not remain with me during a
-recent absence from home.  I wanted her to go back, but she seemed
-afraid, and preferred life in a bachelor's chambers."
-
-"You lie!" cried Frank, crimson with anger.
-
-"No, not so quick, Mr Farquhar," exclaimed the scoundrel coolly.  "Just
-inquire of her, that's all.  Ask her if she did not meet me in secret
-late one night, and whether she didn't remain with me in my chambers off
-Oxford Street.  She will certainly not have forgotten the incident," he
-added with meaning sarcasm.
-
-"I don't believe you!" declared Frank, "but even if she had, you're a
-cursed blackguard for giving her away!"
-
-"You asked me for the truth, and you've got it!" was Jim Jannaway's
-response.  "Anything more you wish to know?  If so, I am entirely at
-your service."
-
-It was one of Jannaway's characteristics that the more angry he became,
-the more cool was his exterior.
-
-"I want to know nothing from one who is a liar, a thief, and a slanderer
-of women," Frank responded, in a hard, bitter voice.
-
-"I understand that the object of your visit was to inquire the reason
-why I called so early this morning at Pembridge Gardens.  I have simply
-replied that I called at the Professor's in response to this
-invitation," and he indicated the telegram which he still held in his
-hand, and which, if the truth were told, he had taken the precaution to
-send to himself, as additional evidence against the innocent girl whom
-he had all along intended should be his victim.
-
-"And you repeat your allegation that Miss Gwen has been your guest at
-your chambers for several days--eh?  Remember, if untrue, such a
-statement is actionable."
-
-"I repeat it.  And I ask you to satisfy yourself as to its truth by
-asking her.  But," he added, "I may as well tell you that the little
-girl is annoyed with me just now for betraying her father's secret to my
-friends.  Yet, after all, as I've already said, it was only a matter of
-business, and with business women ought never to meddle.  They always
-burn their fingers."
-
-"And your friends--that is Sir Felix Challas and his associates--intend,
-of course, to profit by this secret which you've stolen--eh?" asked
-Frank, his face darkening.
-
-"That's their affair--not mine."
-
-"I hear that you bribed the parlour-maid at Pembridge Gardens--the
-crafty scoundrel that you are!"
-
-"That's it!"  Jim laughed, "and I squeezed the cook, and kissed the
-kitchenmaid!  Anything else?  No, I really haven't any more time to
-waste, Mr Farquhar.  All I need add is, that if you doubt my statement,
-please ask Miss Griffin herself."
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN.
-
-REVEALS A WOMAN'S FACE.
-
-A cold bleak afternoon in Kensington Gardens.  The frozen gravelled path
-was lightly powdered with snow, and against the bare black branches
-showed the pale yellow light of the wintry afternoon.  Bent to the
-biting wind, men and women, wrapped to the ears, passed up the Broad
-Walk, and among them was Gwen Griffin, a lonely, solitary, sweet-faced
-little figure, neat with her black bow in her hair, her blue doth skirt,
-fur bolero, and fur toque and muff to match.
-
-She walked very slowly, her sad eyes cast upon the ground.  She always
-went into the gardens when she wanted to think.  Near Hyde Park Gate,
-she turned into one of the narrow and little-frequented paths, for she
-wanted to be alone.
-
-That afternoon the great blow which she dreaded had fallen, and her
-young heart so light and happy, was crushed and broken.
-
-Frank Farquhar had sent her, by messenger from Half Moon Street, a
-cruel, brief letter, in which he told her plainly of the allegation
-which Jim Jannaway had made, and explaining that, in consequence, he
-must ask her to consider their engagement at a complete end.
-
-Its rigid formality showed that he believed every word of that vile
-calumny.  Ah! if only Mullet would speak!  If only he would consent to
-the truth being told.
-
-But alas! though a fortnight had passed since his hurried departure from
-Pembridge Gardens after hearing of the betrayal of the secret, he had
-sent her no single word.  He was a will-o'-the wisp, gone abroad, in all
-probability, in order to escape arrest.
-
-For a fortnight, too, she had not seen Frank.  After her admission of
-Jim Jannaway's visit, he had left the house in evident disgust and
-anger, and had not returned.  He had not even written to her, for she
-understood that he had gone abroad.  That afternoon, however, he had
-sent her the note which for fifteen long anxious days she had been
-dreading.
-
-She sank upon one of the seats quite alone, yet within sound of the dull
-roar of the traffic in Kensington Gore, and taking his letter from her
-muff, re-read it, her vision half obscured by hot bitter tears.
-
-"The scoundrel told such a circumstantial tale," she murmured to
-herself, "that Frank has believed it without question.  Yet--yet if he
-had come to me, and asked me, what could I have said?  It was true that
-I stayed in that hateful place, even though against my will.  Ah!  I
-wonder what foul lies he has told against me--what--"
-
-And hiding her face in her muff, she burst again into a flood of tears.
-
-Her sweet, bright countenance had, alas, greatly changed in those past
-few weeks.  Instead of bearing the stamp of inward happiness, she was
-now wan and pale, with thin cheeks and dark, deep-sunken eyes--the face
-of a woman whose heart was troubled, and who existed in terror of the
-future.
-
-Both the Professor and Diamond--who was still a frequent visitor and had
-long conferences with her father--had noticed the change.  But neither
-had made any remark.  They attributed it to her heartfelt regret at not
-having raised the alarm on finding Jannaway prying into their secret.
-
-The girl's mind, racked by the tortures of conscience and frenzied by
-the cruel calumnies uttered against her, was now strained to its
-greatest tension.  She was utterly friendless, for even her father now
-avoided her, and at meals treated her with a cool and studied aversion.
-Instead of being petted and indulged as she had been all her life, she
-was now shunned.  He asked of her no advice, nor did he invite her to
-his study each evening to chat, as had been his habit ever since she had
-left school.
-
-One friend she possessed in the world--"Red Mullet," the adventurer who
-posed as a mining engineer!  Where was he?  Ay, who could tell?
-
-"That man threatened his arrest if I did not remain silent," she said,
-speaking aloud to herself, her eyes fixed upon the bare, cheerless
-prospect before her.  "I have told the truth, and already he has carried
-out one of his threats.  Perhaps he will carry out the other.  Probably
-he will, and then--and then I shall lose my only friend!  He may allege,
-too, that because `Red Mullet' is my friend, he is my lover!  Ah!  I
-wonder what shameful scandal he has told Frank!  I wonder!  Oh!  Why has
-Frank not come to me for an explanation for proof of those abominable
-lies uttered by a man whom he knows as a blackguard and a thief.  It is
-cruel!" she sobbed, "cruel--too cruel!  Ah!  Frank, my own Frank, I love
-you with all my heart--with all my soul!  You are mine, mine!" she
-cried, raising her clenched hands to heaven in her frenzy of despair,
-"and yet I have lost you--lost my father's great secret--lost
-everything--_everything_!"
-
-Her white lips moved, but no sound came from them.  Her eyes were
-closed, her hands clenched tightly as there, with none to witness her
-agony of soul, she implored the protection of her Maker and the clemency
-of Providence in that, the greatest trial of all her life.
-
-She prayed in deep earnestness for assistance and strength to withstand
-the evil machinations of her enemies.
-
-With Frank's departure, the sun of her existence had set.  The future
-was only grey and darkening, like the dismal, dispiriting scene that
-spread before her.
-
-Love and life were, alas, lost to her for ever.
-
-Away over those leafless trees, eastward beyond Hyde Park and Grosvenor
-Square, a curious scene was, at that moment, being enacted in the house
-of her enemies.
-
-Challas, stout and pompous, was standing with his back to the library
-fireplace, while in an armchair near, sat the white-bearded old German
-Professor.
-
-"You see from this `wire' from Jim, that all goes along beautifully
-Erich," the Baronet was saying.  "He has engaged a Turk to purchase the
-land on both sides of the Mount, the price asked being a little bit
-stiff--eight thousand pounds for the lot.  I `wired' him this morning to
-close at the lowest price possible, and at the same time I've placed him
-a credit of ten thousand at the Ottoman Bank in Jerusalem."
-
-"Then by this time the deal is closed," remarked the old German, rubbing
-his thin hands in satisfaction.  "Ah!  I wonder how our friend Griffin
-now feels?"
-
-"Yes," laughed Sir Felix, "thanks to Jim we obtained the whole secret
-without the trouble of deciphering it.  That was a smart move of his to
-capture the little girl as he did."
-
-"Yes," laughed the old man, "it seems that we're on the straight road to
-success."
-
-"The road!" echoed the great financier.  "Why, by this time, I expect
-the land is ours, and if so, I shall start myself on Saturday.  I mean
-to keep my intentions `dark,' of course.  The papers will say that I've
-gone to Vienna, for if it were known that I'd gone to Jerusalem there
-are men in the City who would be keeping a wary eye on me.  They know
-that when Felix Challas goes abroad, it's generally to see some good
-thing or other.  That's the worst of this cursed popularity.  The public
-eye is upon one the whole time."
-
-As he spoke, the old butler tapped at the door, and handed him another
-telegram, which he broke open eagerly.
-
-"Ah!" he exclaimed after consulting a little note book which he took
-from a drawer--the code which Jim always used.  "Another from Jim!  He's
-closing at seven thousand eight hundred, the deeds to be signed
-to-morrow.  The story he has told is that the land is to be used for
-building purposes."
-
-"I suppose the surveyor you sent out with him has fixed the exact spot?"
-
-"Of course.  They did that four days ago.  It was a difficult task to
-accomplish without attracting attention, but Jim succeeded.  He always
-does!" added the Baronet with a grin.
-
-"I understood that the Mount was nearly covered by the Jews' cemetery,"
-remarked the German.
-
-"So it is.  But the plots we want are fortunately rocky places, where
-burial is impossible.  I think it a big stroke of luck--don't you?" he
-added with a self-satisfied laugh.
-
-"Certainly," was the German's response in his deep, guttural voice, "but
-what of Mullet?  Have you heard anything of him lately?"
-
-"Nothing.  He's abroad somewhere.  I believe Jim and he have quarrelled.
-I only hope they won't get to serious disagreement--if they do it will
-be very unpleasant for us all.  `Red Mullet' hasn't acted straight in
-this affair at all.  He fell in love with Griffin's girl, I think--and
-became heroic--like the chicken-hearted fool he is."
-
-"You haven't any fear of him turning upon you, I suppose?"
-
-"Fear of him!" laughed Sir Felix heartily.
-
-"Why, my dear Erich, I could put him away for ten years, to-morrow, if I
-wished, and fortunately he knows it.  No.  He'll keep a very still
-tongue, never fear.  He still draws his money from Paris, which shows
-that he doesn't intend mischief."
-
-"Ah! that's all right," declared the Hebrew scholar, greatly satisfied.
-"I--well, I've always had suspicions that he meant to play into
-Griffin's hands."
-
-"So he did, undoubtedly, but Jim and I were rather too clever for him."
-
-At that moment the elderly butler re-entered with a card upon the
-salver.
-
-Sir Felix took it and his face changed in an instant.  His mouth was
-open, and for a second he seemed speechless.
-
-"Not at home--not at home," he snapped to the man.  "Never at home to
-that person--you understand?"
-
-"Yes, Sir Felix," replied the grave-faced servant, who bowed and
-withdrew.
-
-Erich Haupt noticed that the visitor, whoever it was, seemed a most
-unwelcome one.
-
-From the Baronet's subsequent movements the old German realised that he
-wished to get rid of him.
-
-Therefore, he rose and departed, promising to call next day, and hear
-the latest report of Jim Jannaway's progress in Jerusalem.
-
-Then, the instant Erich had left the house, Sir Felix rang for his
-valet, a young Italian, giving him a note to take in a taxi-cab to his
-office in the City and await a reply.
-
-The man was gone an hour, during which time his master ascended to the
-great drawing-room, and advancing cautiously to the window, peered out
-into the grey twilight of the square.  He stood behind the curtains so
-that any one watching the house from the outside could not observe him.
-From his nervous anxiety and restless movements it was apparent that he
-feared his unwelcome visitor might still be watching outside.
-
-As he peered through the crack between the heavy curtains of blue silk
-brocade and the window sash, his eyes caught sight of a figure, and he
-sprang back breathless, his face white and drawn, as though he had seen
-a ghost.
-
-It was a ghost--a ghost of the past that had arises against him in that
-hour of his greatest triumph.
-
-The young Italian returned, and handed him a bulky letter which he
-placed in his pocket without opening.  Then, having sent him forth with
-a note to the Ritz Hotel, a mere excuse, he ran up to his dressing-room,
-quickly exchanged his frock-coat and fancy vest for a suit of rough
-tweed, and putting on a bowler hat, returned to the library.  Upon his
-face was a haunted look of terror.  The unexpected had happened.
-
-From his safe he took a small sealed packet of folded papers which he
-opened and cast quickly into the fire, waiting in eager impatience until
-all had been consumed.  Then, unobserved, he slipped out by the back in
-the evening gloom, hurrying down the mews, and through into Hill Street,
-where he hailed a hansom and drove quickly away.
-
-For the ghost of the past was still watching, silent and hideous,
-against the railings of Berkeley Square.
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT.
-
-CONTAINS A SURPRISE.
-
-That short February day was indeed an eventful one, both for the rival
-investigators, and for the whole Hebrew race.
-
-Almost at that same hour when Sir Felix Challas left his London mansion
-so hurriedly, and in such fear, "Red Mullet" was being conducted up a
-long, wood-built, unpainted corridor where the uncarpeted floor was full
-of holes and the broken windows were patched, to a small shabby little
-reception-room--the waiting-room of the Sublime Porte, or Government
-Offices at Constantinople.
-
-A Turkish servant in a dingy red fez, handed him the usual formal cup of
-blade coffee and cigarette, and he was left alone to await his audience
-with the Grand Vizier of his Imperial Majesty, the Sultan.
-
-It was not the first time in the course of his adventurous career that
-he had had audience at the Sublime Porte.  He knew the shabbiness and
-the decay of that great shed-like building, its lack of order, its
-seedy-looking officials, and its altogether incongruous appearance as
-the centre of the administration of a great empire.
-
-Smoking the cigarette, he stood gazing thoughtfully out upon the rubbish
-heap in the courtyard below.  Beyond, lay Pera, and the blue Bosphorus.
-The room, with its bare walls, faded Oriental carpet, rickety
-writing-table and few shabby chairs, was the apartment where the
-Ambassadors of the Powers awaited audience of the Grand Vizier, or of
-his Excellency, Tewfik Pasha, his Majesty's Minister for Foreign
-Affairs.  A contrast indeed to the fairylike glories of the palace of
-Yildiz.
-
-Five minutes later, the tall, red-moustached Englishman was conducted to
-a private room, shabby as was all at the Sublime Porte, where, at a
-table, sat a benevolent white-bearded old gentleman in frock-coat and
-fez, the Grand Vizier of the Sultan.
-
-The high official greeted him in French, and having motioned him to a
-chair on the opposite side of the table, said:
-
-"I am greatly obliged to you, M'sieur Mullet.  I have read with intense
-interest the document you gave me yesterday, and last evening I placed
-the matter before his Majesty, my sovereign, at the Palace.  As you are
-aware, his Majesty is always tolerant of other religions that are not
-our Faith, and has ever been most lenient towards the Hebrew race.  This
-discovery, and your statement that certain persons hostile to the Jewish
-religion are in search of the supposed sacred relics, have both
-interested him, and he has commanded me to tell you that inquiries have
-been made by telegraph in Jerusalem.  It appears that a certain
-Englishman named James Jannaway is staying at the Park Hotel, and is in
-treaty with the owners of two plots of land at the base of the Mount of
-Offence, one belonging to Poulios, a Greek, and the other to a certain
-Hadj Ben Hassan, an Arab.  The Governor of Jerusalem reports that the
-price is fixed, and only the contracts remain to be drawn."
-
-"The man Jannaway, your Excellency, is the agent of Sir Felix Challas,"
-declared Mullet.
-
-"As you yourself have been when you have visited Constantinople to
-obtain concessions from us on previous occasions, M'sieur!" remarked the
-wily Turkish official.  "Why have you betrayed your employer?"
-
-"For reasons which I have already explained in the document I handed to
-you.  Your Excellency has always been extremely good to me personally,
-and I deemed it but my duty to inform you of the secret excavations
-about to take place in Jerusalem."
-
-"You have no ulterior motive--eh?" asked the old man, fixing his eyes
-keenly upon him.
-
-"None whatever, your Excellency.  On the contrary, I shall be the
-loser."
-
-The Grand Vizier stroked his beard for a few moments in thoughtful
-silence.  Then he said:
-
-"His Majesty never fails to repay generously any service rendered him.
-I may as well tell you he considers the rendering of this information a
-very valuable service.  It might easily have happened that the most
-sacred relics of the Hebrews could have been taken from our country in
-secret by enemies of the Jews, a circumstance which would have caused
-his Majesty the utmost annoyance and anger."
-
-"Your Excellency has already satisfied yourself that I have told the
-truth, I hope?"
-
-"Certainly; during the night I have had several long telegrams from the
-Governor of Jerusalem, all of which bear out your allegation of a secret
-attempt about to be made to excavate in the Mount of Offence."
-
-"And what action will the Ottoman Government take?" asked "Red Mullet,"
-eagerly.
-
-"His Majesty has already taken action," was the Grand Vizier's reply.
-"This morning he signed an irade which I placed before him, prohibiting
-the sale of any of the land of the Mount of Offence to any foreigner,
-and forbidding any excavations or any investigation whatsoever being
-made there."
-
-"Red Mullet" was silent.  The situation was an unexpected one.  Such an
-irade would prevent Griffin and Diamond--the rightful holders of the
-secret--from taking any action, or making any investigation!  By
-successfully opposing Challas, he had unfortunately also opposed
-Professor Griffin!
-
-"Is not that--well--well, just a little in opposition to his Majesty's
-well-known policy of progress?  The Imperial irade forbids any
-investigation whatever, I take it?"
-
-"It forbids every investigation, of whatever nature," slowly replied the
-white-bearded mouthpiece of the Sultan.  "Besides, there is a Jewish
-cemetery in close proximity; we will not have that desecrated, by either
-archaeologists or treasure-hunters."
-
-"Then the secret cipher elucidated by Professor Griffin is to remain an
-unsolved problem?"  Mullet said in a tone of great disappointment.
-
-"For the present, yes," was the old gentleman's response.  "There are
-many difficulties.  Suppose the sacred relics were really discovered, to
-whom would they belong?"
-
-"To the Hebrew race--and permit me to express the opinion, your
-Excellency, that they should be searched for, and given over to the
-Jews."
-
-"I am not yet in a position to advise his Majesty upon that point.  For
-the present, investigation and excavation are absolutely prohibited.
-But, rest assured, that no one is more alive to the importance of
-Professor Griffin's discovery than his Majesty himself.  Indeed, he
-wishes for an exact transcript of this extraordinary record in your
-Bible."
-
-"That investigation by the anti-Semitic group should be prohibited, I
-am, of course, much gratified, your Excellency.  But I do hope sincerely
-that one day his Majesty will allow the right of research to the
-rightful holders of the secret--who, as I have stated, are the
-discoverer, Professor Griffin, and his friends."
-
-"Including yourself, M'sieur Mullet--eh?"
-
-"Yes, including myself, your Excellency," laughed the red-moustached
-man.  "I would most humbly petition his Majesty, through you, to grant
-to me the concession to search after the truth, if his Majesty ever
-grants one."
-
-"For the present, rest assured, Mr Mullet, that no permission will be
-given to any one.  There are many eventualities to be considered, as
-well as international complications.  But if any concession be granted
-in the future, his Majesty will certainly accord it to you, in
-consideration of the important and timely information which you have so
-generously furnished to us."
-
-"Then we need not fear the success of our enemies," laughed the tall
-Englishman, with much gratification.
-
-"Certainly not," answered the venerable old gentleman with a smile.
-"See here," and he pointed to an open telegram before him, "this is the
-last despatch from the Governor of Jerusalem, an hour ago.  By my orders
-the Mount of the Offence is surrounded by a cordon of military, who have
-instructions to allow no one to pass.  I have taken this precaution in
-case the affair gets into the press, and the spot is visited by great
-crowds, as it well may be.  So," laughed the Grand Vizier, "you have
-to-day given your friend, M'sieur Jannaway, a rather unpleasant
-surprise, I should fancy."
-
-CHAPTER THIRTY NINE.
-
-IS THE CONCLUSION.
-
-The anxiety of Erich Haupt may easily be imagined when, next day at the
-Waldorf Hotel, he received a telegram from Challas, despatched from an
-obscure place in Holland, saying that he had been called away
-unexpectedly, and telling him to go to Berkeley Square and open any
-telegrams that might be there.
-
-He drove westward in a "taxi"--and found one message.  It was in code
-from Jim Jannaway.  The old German had noticed where the financier kept
-the code-book, and had but little difficulty in finding it.
-
-"We have been given away," it ran.  "The spot is now guarded by
-military.  Sale of land, and all investigation forbidden, and we have
-received an intimation to leave Palestine at once.  Coming home."
-
-Haupt's dismay and chagrin was complete.  He drove to the nearest
-telegraph-office and "wired" to Jannaway that Sir Felix had been called
-away.
-
-This telegram, however, did not reach Jerusalem before Jim had left.
-Therefore, when he alighted from a cab in Berkeley Square some days
-later and knocked eagerly at the door of Sir Felix's house, he was
-surprised to find it opened by a strange man.
-
-When the hall door had closed behind him again, another man advanced,
-and asked:
-
-"I believe you are Mr Jannaway?"
-
-"That's my name," replied Jim.  "Where's the gov'nor?  Who the dickens
-are you?"
-
-"I'm Inspector Attwell, Criminal Investigation Department," replied the
-other, "and I arrest you, on a warrant granted in France, for the wilful
-murder of Henri Laroche, banker of Rue de Rouen, Bordeaux, on December
-6, 1907."
-
-Jannaway stood as though turned to stone.  His face was bloodless, his
-mouth wide-open.
-
-"You--you've made a mistake--a very big mistake!" he managed to exclaim
-with a sorry attempt to laugh.  "Where's the gov'nor--I mean Sir Felix
-Challas?  I must see him at once."
-
-"I'm afraid, Mr Jannaway, you'll never see him again," replied the
-officer.  "Yesterday he was arrested in Breslau on a charge of
-complicity with you in the crime at Bordeaux, but an hour later he
-poisoned himself in the police-cell.  It'll all be in the papers this
-afternoon, I expect."
-
-"Suicide!" gasped the adventurer, utterly staggered.
-
-"Yes, it seems that the dead man's daughter, Louise Laroche, whom you
-believed you had also killed, though ruined and destitute, has searched
-and found you both out, and made a startling statement to the Prefet de
-Police of Paris.  Hence this warrant.  But, come along.  I must warn you
-that any statement you make may be used against you upon your trial."
-
-"Louise!" he gasped, staring straight before him.  He recollected that
-woman's pale, pinched face at the corner of Berkeley Street that night--
-that face which he had tried to forget and believe to be a mere fancy.
-"Louise alive--a living witness!" he cried, plainly terrified.  "And
-Felix always told me that he--he'd killed her with his own hand to
-prevent her giving the alarm!  She came into the room and discovered me
-at the safe, and she paid for it, I always thought, with her life.  Then
-the young woman found dead must have been the servant!"
-
-"Come, you'd better say no more," urged the officer, who, turning to the
-man who had opened the door, said: "Just whistle a cab, Hall."
-
-"No!" cried Jim Jannaway, hoarsely; "You--you shan't take me alive.  I--
-I'll--I'll die game, too!" and before the inspector could prevent him he
-had whipped out his revolver, placed the muzzle in his mouth and fired,
-falling lifeless next second at the officer's feet.
-
-God's wrath had fallen upon the evil-doers.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-Next day--the very day when the great sensation of Sir Felix Challas's
-tragic end, which every one recollects, appeared in the papers--"Red
-Mullet" ascended the stairs at Pembridge Gardens, and grasped the hand
-which the Professor stretched forth.
-
-At his side stood Frank Farquhar, to whom he was introduced by the
-Professor.
-
-"I'm most delighted, Mr Mullet, to have the opportunity of at last
-knowing you," Frank exclaimed.  "The Professor has to-day shown me your
-letters and telegrams.  In the circumstances, the situation is as
-satisfactory as it possibly can be.  We can only hope that the Sultan
-will, after all the eventualities have been fully considered, grant to
-you the concession to search.  It is fortunate, indeed, that you enjoy
-the friendship of the Grand Vizier."
-
-"Yes," laughed the tall fellow, "his Excellency has been good enough to
-give me quite a lucrative appointment in the Department of Mines.  I'm
-entering the Turkish service on the first of next month, when--well--I
-hope I'll be able to lead an honest life in the future."
-
-"Let's hope so," exclaimed the Professor.  "These revelations concerning
-Sir Felix Challas and your friend Jannaway, in the papers to-day, are
-most astounding."
-
-"Not so astounding, Professor, as the story which I could tell.  But
-both men are dead; therefore, for me to speak is now unnecessary.  They
-were as crafty a pair of scoundrels as there were in the whole of
-Europe: and from them, your daughter Miss Gwen, had, indeed, a very
-narrow escape."
-
-"Ah!" cried Frank.  "Tell us the whole truth--do!"
-
-"Not without Miss Gwen's consent," he laughed.  "My daughter is out,"
-Griffin said, "I expect her to return every moment.  She has been
-expecting you daily."
-
-"Red Mullet" smiled.
-
-"Well, you know," he said, "your daughter, Professor, is my particular
-little friend."
-
-"And you have been her good friend and protector, if what she tells me
-is correct," remarked her father.  "But I want to hear the story from
-your lips.  She refuses to say anything."
-
-"Because I bound her to secrecy.  It was imperative," he assured the
-grey-haired man.  "And to you, Mr Farquhar," he said, "I must
-apologise.  Some of my actions must have appeared mysterious--even
-suspicious."
-
-"Well," replied Frank, with some hesitation.  "I saw Jim Jannaway and--
-and he told me a very strange story."
-
-"He lied to you," said Mullet quickly.  "Ah!  I know!  He told you that
-he was her lover--eh?  It was a lie--an infernal and cowardly lie!  Look
-here, Mr Farquhar, I'm older than you, a good deal, and I'm a man who
-respects a woman's honour--I've a daughter of my own in Diamond's care.
-You know my little Aggie, to whom I'm devoted.  Well, I tell you upon my
-oath--if you will accept the oath of an outsider like myself--that Miss
-Gwen is innocent, and that she loves only you--has thought of only you--
-and is as devoted to you as I am to my own dear child."
-
-Frank hesitated, his eyes fixed upon the speaker.  He saw that the man
-before him spoke the truth: that the evil-tongued coward who, cornered,
-dare not face the music, had uttered foul lies.
-
-At that moment the door suddenly opened, and Gwen in her warm furs stood
-upon the threshold, her face full of surprise at seeing their visitor.
-
-"Why!" she cried, "Mr Mullet!" and rushing forward, she grasped his
-hand eagerly.
-
-"I have told them, Miss Gwen, I have just told them the truth," he said
-simply.
-
-"Yes!" cried Frank Farquhar, stepping forward quickly, and taking the
-girl's hand he kissed her upon the lips there, before both her father
-and Mullet.  "I have misjudged you, my darling!" he said.  "Forgive me.
-That man lied to me, and, alas, I believed him.  But to-day I know the
-truth.  The death of that scoundrel Challas and his `cat's-paw' has
-released Mr Mullet from his bondage.  He has now no further fear of
-their reprisals, and has spoken--spoken the truth, and cleared you of
-that shameful scandal which Jannaway placed upon you."
-
-"Did I not tell you, Frank, that Mr Mullet had been my very best
-friend?" said the girl simply, as, at that moment, the little Doctor
-entered, fussy and excited as usual.
-
-"I did not believe it once," he replied, "but now I know it to be the
-truth."  And turning to the man who had staked his own liberty to
-protect Gwen's honour, he grasped him warmly by the hand, uttering words
-of heartfelt thanks.
-
-And so again, and for ever, two hearts became united, and the dark
-clouds of suspicion opened to give way to the sunshine of life and love.
-
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
-All these stirring events happened not quite a year ago.
-
-Though the Ark and the sacred vessels still remain hidden beneath the
-Mount of Offence till such time as his Majesty the Sultan thinks fit to
-rescind his prohibition, one interesting circumstance has occurred,
-namely, the joyous marriage at St Margaret's, Westminster, of Frank
-Farquhar and Gwen Griffin, which was celebrated a couple of months ago.
-
-The tragic and sensational end of Sir Felix Challas, followed by that of
-his friend Jim Jannaway, was a mere one day's wonder, as are all the
-sensations of our daily press nowadays.  The whole facts were never
-revealed at the inquest, and the public quickly forgot the mystery
-connected with the affair.
-
-They are in ignorance of that colossal and startling secret which led to
-the final _denouement_, or of the remarkable discovery by Arminger
-Griffin.
-
-Frank and Gwen have just returned from their sunny honeymoon in Italy
-and Tunis to their pretty, semi-rural home at Chislehurst, whence every
-day Farquhar comes to London to direct the fortunes of the Gavin group
-of newspapers.
-
-Only now, in these pages, is the truth revealed; a strange, astounding
-truth which one day, ere long--for diplomatic representations are at
-present being made by the Powers--must cause his Majesty the Sultan, and
-his reformed Government, to reverse the former prohibition regarding it.
-And for that Professor Griffin and his friends are patiently waiting.
-
-Then will the words of the prophet be fulfilled the secret place of
-concealment in the Mount of Offence be opened, and, after nearly two
-thousand five hundred years, to its just ownership, that of the Hebrew
-race, will be given back the most sacred relics of that colossal and
-wonderful hoard, the Treasure of Israel.
-
-
-
-
-
-
-End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Great God Gold, by William Le Queux
-
-*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GREAT GOD GOLD ***
-
-***** This file should be named 41199.txt or 41199.zip *****
-This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
-        http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/1/9/41199/
-
-Produced by Nick Hodson of London, England
-
-Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions
-will be renamed.
-
-Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no
-one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation
-(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without
-permission and without paying copyright royalties.  Special rules,
-set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to
-copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to
-protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark.  Project
-Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you
-charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission.  If you
-do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the
-rules is very easy.  You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose
-such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and
-research.  They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do
-practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks.  Redistribution is
-subject to the trademark license, especially commercial
-redistribution.
-
-
-
-*** START: FULL LICENSE ***
-
-THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE
-PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK
-
-To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free
-distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work
-(or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project
-Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project
-Gutenberg-tm License available with this file or online at
-  www.gutenberg.org/license.
-
-
-Section 1.  General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic works
-
-1.A.  By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to
-and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property
-(trademark/copyright) agreement.  If you do not agree to abide by all
-the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy
-all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession.
-If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the
-terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or
-entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8.
-
-1.B.  "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark.  It may only be
-used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who
-agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement.  There are a few
-things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works
-even without complying with the full terms of this agreement.  See
-paragraph 1.C below.  There are a lot of things you can do with Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement
-and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
-works.  See paragraph 1.E below.
-
-1.C.  The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation"
-or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic works.  Nearly all the individual works in the
-collection are in the public domain in the United States.  If an
-individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are
-located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from
-copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative
-works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg
-are removed.  Of course, we hope that you will support the Project
-Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by
-freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of
-this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with
-the work.  You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by
-keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project
-Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others.
-
-1.D.  The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern
-what you can do with this work.  Copyright laws in most countries are in
-a constant state of change.  If you are outside the United States, check
-the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement
-before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or
-creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project
-Gutenberg-tm work.  The Foundation makes no representations concerning
-the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United
-States.
-
-1.E.  Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg:
-
-1.E.1.  The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate
-access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently
-whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the
-phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project
-Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed,
-copied or distributed:
-
-This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
-almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
-re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
-with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
-
-1.E.2.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived
-from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is
-posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied
-and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees
-or charges.  If you are redistributing or providing access to a work
-with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the
-work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1
-through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the
-Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or
-1.E.9.
-
-1.E.3.  If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted
-with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution
-must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional
-terms imposed by the copyright holder.  Additional terms will be linked
-to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the
-permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work.
-
-1.E.4.  Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm
-License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this
-work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm.
-
-1.E.5.  Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this
-electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without
-prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with
-active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project
-Gutenberg-tm License.
-
-1.E.6.  You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary,
-compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any
-word processing or hypertext form.  However, if you provide access to or
-distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than
-"Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version
-posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.org),
-you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a
-copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon
-request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other
-form.  Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm
-License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1.
-
-1.E.7.  Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying,
-performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works
-unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9.
-
-1.E.8.  You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing
-access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided
-that
-
-- You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from
-     the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method
-     you already use to calculate your applicable taxes.  The fee is
-     owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he
-     has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the
-     Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation.  Royalty payments
-     must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you
-     prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax
-     returns.  Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and
-     sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the
-     address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to
-     the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation."
-
-- You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies
-     you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he
-     does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm
-     License.  You must require such a user to return or
-     destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium
-     and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of
-     Project Gutenberg-tm works.
-
-- You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any
-     money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the
-     electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days
-     of receipt of the work.
-
-- You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free
-     distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works.
-
-1.E.9.  If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm
-electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set
-forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from
-both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael
-Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark.  Contact the
-Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below.
-
-1.F.
-
-1.F.1.  Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable
-effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread
-public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm
-collection.  Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
-works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain
-"Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or
-corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual
-property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a
-computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by
-your equipment.
-
-1.F.2.  LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right
-of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project
-Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project
-Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project
-Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all
-liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal
-fees.  YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT
-LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE
-PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3.  YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE
-TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE
-LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR
-INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH
-DAMAGE.
-
-1.F.3.  LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a
-defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can
-receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a
-written explanation to the person you received the work from.  If you
-received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with
-your written explanation.  The person or entity that provided you with
-the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a
-refund.  If you received the work electronically, the person or entity
-providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to
-receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund.  If the second copy
-is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further
-opportunities to fix the problem.
-
-1.F.4.  Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth
-in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS', WITH NO OTHER
-WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
-WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE.
-
-1.F.5.  Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied
-warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages.
-If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the
-law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be
-interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by
-the applicable state law.  The invalidity or unenforceability of any
-provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions.
-
-1.F.6.  INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the
-trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone
-providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance
-with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production,
-promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works,
-harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees,
-that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do
-or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm
-work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any
-Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause.
-
-
-Section  2.  Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm
-
-Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of
-electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers
-including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers.  It exists
-because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from
-people in all walks of life.
-
-Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the
-assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's
-goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will
-remain freely available for generations to come.  In 2001, the Project
-Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure
-and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations.
-To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation
-and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4
-and the Foundation information page at www.gutenberg.org
-
-
-Section 3.  Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive
-Foundation
-
-The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit
-501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the
-state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal
-Revenue Service.  The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification
-number is 64-6221541.  Contributions to the Project Gutenberg
-Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent
-permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws.
-
-The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S.
-Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered
-throughout numerous locations.  Its business office is located at 809
-North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887.  Email
-contact links and up to date contact information can be found at the
-Foundation's web site and official page at www.gutenberg.org/contact
-
-For additional contact information:
-     Dr. Gregory B. Newby
-     Chief Executive and Director
-     gbnewby@pglaf.org
-
-Section 4.  Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg
-Literary Archive Foundation
-
-Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide
-spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of
-increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be
-freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest
-array of equipment including outdated equipment.  Many small donations
-($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt
-status with the IRS.
-
-The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating
-charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United
-States.  Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a
-considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up
-with these requirements.  We do not solicit donations in locations
-where we have not received written confirmation of compliance.  To
-SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any
-particular state visit www.gutenberg.org/donate
-
-While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we
-have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition
-against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who
-approach us with offers to donate.
-
-International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make
-any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from
-outside the United States.  U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff.
-
-Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation
-methods and addresses.  Donations are accepted in a number of other
-ways including checks, online payments and credit card donations.
-To donate, please visit:  www.gutenberg.org/donate
-
-
-Section 5.  General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic
-works.
-
-Professor Michael S. Hart was the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm
-concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared
-with anyone.  For forty years, he produced and distributed Project
-Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support.
-
-Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed
-editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S.
-unless a copyright notice is included.  Thus, we do not necessarily
-keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition.
-
-Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility:
-
-     www.gutenberg.org
-
-This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm,
-including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary
-Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to
-subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks.
-