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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d7b82bc --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,4 @@ +*.txt text eol=lf +*.htm text eol=lf +*.html text eol=lf +*.md text eol=lf diff --git a/LICENSE.txt b/LICENSE.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6312041 --- /dev/null +++ b/LICENSE.txt @@ -0,0 +1,11 @@ +This eBook, including all associated images, markup, improvements, +metadata, and any other content or labor, has been confirmed to be +in the PUBLIC DOMAIN IN THE UNITED STATES. + +Procedures for determining public domain status are described in +the "Copyright How-To" at https://www.gutenberg.org. + +No investigation has been made concerning possible copyrights in +jurisdictions other than the United States. Anyone seeking to utilize +this eBook outside of the United States should confirm copyright +status under the laws that apply to them. diff --git a/README.md b/README.md new file mode 100644 index 0000000..cb5660d --- /dev/null +++ b/README.md @@ -0,0 +1,2 @@ +Project Gutenberg (https://www.gutenberg.org) public repository for +eBook #69397 (https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/69397) diff --git a/old/69397-0.txt b/old/69397-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 6fcc8df..0000000 --- a/old/69397-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5057 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg eBook of Tales of the supernatural, by James -Platt - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and -most other parts of the world 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. If you are not located in the United States, you -will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before -using this eBook. - -Title: Tales of the supernatural - Six romantic stories - -Author: James Platt - -Release Date: November 20, 2022 [eBook #69397] - -Language: English - -Produced by: Al Haines - -*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF THE -SUPERNATURAL *** - - - - - - - - TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL. - - SIX ROMANTIC STORIES. - - - BY - - JAMES PLATT, JUNIOR. - - - _PRICE ONE SHILLING._ - - - LONDON: - SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO., - 4 STATIONERS' HALL COURT. - 1894. - - _Entered at Stationers' Hall_] [_All Rights Reserved._ - - - - -CONTENTS. - - -THE SEVEN SIGILS - -THE HAND OF GLORY - -THE RABBI LION - -THE EVIL EYE - -THE WITCHES' SABBATH - -THE DEVIL'S DEBT - - - - -THE SEVEN SIGILS. - - - -PART I. - -BRAVO AND POISONER. - -The Bottomless Lake of our Legend was reputed an outlet of the -Bottomless Pit. No creature of our world had ever swum its lethal -ebb and flow, but on the nights of the great Sabbaths, when the -wizardry of all Italy swept to its beetling cliffs as to their -Holiest of Holies, its waters eructed to the rendezvous the retinue -of Hell--the wealth of an argosy would not have tempted a Lombard to -venture within eye-shot of it after nightfall. Who, then, are these -two men of mortal mould that outstare the depths of the Bottomless -Lake itself, and not only that but from the very horns of the Altar -of the Black Mass, and not only that, but at the witching hour -forsooth of night, when graveyards yawn, and the everlasting doors of -Tophet open wide? Their guardian angels of good have surely turned -from their right hands, and their evil guardians of the left are -grinning from horn to horn. With the chime of twelve from the -distant steeple dies out the last echo of admonition, and they begin -to work out such unhallowed errand as alone can have brought them to -so damned a spot; the elder of the two in a tone of hushed solemnity -addresses a series of questions to the younger, who responds to them -with an equally awful gravity, after the manner of a catechism. - -"Dost know me who I am?" - -"Tosca of Venice, bravo and poisoner." - -"And Yourself?" - -"Janko the Illyrian, bravo with a right good will, but not yet -poisoner." - -"My ancestry?" - -"Sorcerer stock, whose secrets you would fain have inherited and -their trade pursued." - -"Why did I not?" - -"The Council of Ten bore down upon your race, and but for your -extreme youth you yourself would have crossed the Bridge of Sighs. -Orphaned by the State, and retaining for sole inheritance the -swashing blade that still gnaws at your scabbard, and a few recipes -for poisons (which last, however, were worth a Borgia's envy), you -soon found yourself compelled to use both the one and the other to -buy you bed and board. Proceeding at first with hesitancy, and never -sojourning long in one locality, you became by degrees the repository -of so many family secrets that at the present day you may stalk -assured through the length and breadth of Italy, and ruffle it in -what company you will." - -"And your own story?" - -"I know not by what catastrophe the memory of all my earliest years -was shaken loose from me. Suffice it then, that once on a visit to -my native country you found me wandering an orphan like yourself, and -with a mind so blank that you appropriated it instantly to write on -it as it were your own ten commandments. Since that day I have never -left you, and I am only repeating what you yourself tell me when I -say that you have made me your equal master in every trick of fence. -But of that other art of yours that rivals the Creator, my most -dutiful entreaties have never availed with you to teach me anything." - -"But did I not reasonably argue that you would better attend the -heaviness of so terrific a responsibility, until you were of man's -estate? And is not to-day the anniversary of your coming of age? -And have we not pelted hither hot-foot from the confines of the land -upon that very business?" - -"It is true that before entrusting me with even the least of these -your ancient awful secrets you have brought me here to-night--for -what?" - -"To enter you with fitting state upon the bead-roll of that glorious -mystery, that with the mere putting on of a glove, or sniffing of a -flower can check the most rebellious blood with a thus far shall thou -flow, but no farther!" - -"Say, rather to better the assurance that you have of me already from -years of fraternal familiar common life, by laying upon me in -addition a binding bond ensanctified by centuries of warlock use, and -now to be imposed in this very spot where the Master whom thereby we -both shall serve is at this hour present, though to us invisible, the -Prince of the Power of the Air." - -"You are at any rate resolved to link yourself to me with fetters -forged in the fire that is not quenched, and by a testament -registered in the Chancery of Hell to the effect that any treachery -from one of us to the other shall be resented and avenged by that -common Master of ours who hears us at this moment from his postern -gate, the Bottomless Lake below?" - -"I am resolved to that for which I came here." - -"Follow, then, with me the observance of that visible sign and token -that unites us in one blood and in one flesh. This horn is from that -beast whose form our Master loves to take, when from this altar where -we stand he greets his liegemen and his liege-women turned backward -like his prayers. This horn I charge to the half with my own blood, -obtained by the biting of my arm. Now do you likewise bite and fill -and then drink (to my health) the moiety of the draught so mixed." - -"May you live till the Last Trump!" - -"You have pledged me in it as I now pledge you, and there remains but -one more ceremony. I am about to throw this emptied receptacle into -the waters of the Bottomless Lake. You know already that everything -that touches its surface, whether living or dead, is forfeit to that -Ancient of Days that crouches in wait below. Do you agree that this -will be the fate reserved for that one of us two that shall first -contravene this super-sacred oath?" - -"His soul be the devil's fee." - -The emptied horn shot like an elf-bolt into the pathless waters of -the Bottomless Lake. The benighted pair that watched it from the -unhallowed shrine above could have sworn that a hand came up and -caught it as it fell, but a sudden flash of lightning that snapped in -their eyes and a peal of thunder that made the four corners of the -earth to quake rendered that fact uncertain. The strangers would -then have been only too gladly drenched to the skin that they might -have hugged their wagered souls in the belief that this unweather was -of Nature, and not of the Evil One. But the Heavens shed no tear. -There succeeded to that single flash and single peal only the same -deadly calm that had preceded them. Although their business there -was over, neither of the two men cared to suggest to the other his -secret persuasion that there was no need for further stay. One -o'clock whispered from afar its holy amen to their accursed ritual. -Other hours flitted by, and still they gazed into unplummeted waves -enwrapped in gloom as in their cloaks. At last as it were by a -simultaneous impulse they turned together, and with a mutual sigh -descended in the direction of the dawning city. From what has been -said of the superstitious awe with which the Bottomless Lake was -regarded, it will be readily understood that they had to traverse a -considerable distance of uninhabited country before coming in sight -of the main travelled road. - -When at last after the painful up and down of many hills, they -perceived the highway cutting through a valley at their feet, the -habitual reserve engendered by their profession moved them to await -atop the passage of a carriage that appeared in sight in the distance -going towards the town rather than continue their journey, and be -passed by it. As it came nearer both these men who had recently -drunk so deeply of forbidden founts, suddenly uttered an exclamation -that sounded very like a fear. For they saw at the self-same second -that the coach contained a girl of beauty beyond a sultan's dream, -and that some dozen or so of foot-pads darted from both sides of the -road and seized the heads of her horses. The report of a pistol was -obviously connected with the fall of the driver like a log from his -box. The young lady was left with no other defender than a large -black dog that ran behind the carriage, but as the assailants threw -the doors open and hustled her out it became apparent that he was -chained to the vehicle, and in an instant they were beyond his reach. -But at this critical juncture Tosca descended almost, as it seemed, -to the startled abductors with one leap from the heights above, and -with a howl like a wild beast. - -Although they did not know it, the finest sword player in Europe was -in their midst. They went down by couples before him, spitted like -larks. They had scarcely grasped the miracle of his presence before -the lovely vision of the coach was resting in his left arm (the right -still continuing to deal destruction), and she had scarcely glanced -at his face, when, with a sigh of evident content with her defender, -she hid her golden head in his breast to shut out the shambles from -her eyes. But the fight was already past. Half the ravishers lay -stretched upon the ground, and the bravo of Venice needed no second -or even first glance at them to know that they would never rise -again. The remainder, appalled by a result which they were far from -attributing to the purely human agency which had caused it, had only -to cast a look beneath his black-a-vised brows, when with a shriek -that he was signed in the corner of his eye with the devil's private -mark, they precipitately fled. The bravo dropped his sword into its -sheath, and now with both arms round her waist he drew the goddess -(as she appeared to him) towards her carriage. In doing so he -perceived that she had fainted, and printed upon her lips the -fiercest as it was the chastest kiss that he had ever bestowed upon -woman. By an extraordinary chance (but there was more than chance in -it), after completing the foulest rite, he had stumbled upon the -purest passion of his life. For no other woman would he have shut -the carriage door as he did now after placing her within it, -remaining himself outside. And it is needful to add in this -connexion that he had entirely forgotten the very existence of that -comrade just bound to him by a tie indissoluble. That comrade, -nevertheless, had watched the whole from the altitude where both had -first stood. Could he have followed the giddy foot-hold of his -patron he would in that moment have slain him in his tracks. And -that he could in no wise stir from where he stood either previously -to take part in that chance medley, or now to snatch a share in the -reward of it, was due not at all to cowardice (a thing that must of -necessity be unknown to any that followed the fortunes of Tosca), but -to a kind of spell as he fancied that froze him to his place. And of -this he was indeed well qualified to judge since he had already -experienced the self-same sensation on one (and one only) former -occasion. What puzzled him was that the obvious cause in the prior -case was a certain amulet of unknown antiquity and power, which Tosca -was accustomed to wear round his neck upon a chain of gold, and which -in a moment of confidence he had shown that once to his pupil. -Whereas on the present occasion the cause of his vertigo could -scarcely be the same, the talisman being invisible. And yet the -effect was identical. If anything more than another had been the -actual moving cause of his present icy chill it must certainly be the -damsel of the coach. So unmistakeable was the hold which the mere -sight of her had taken upon him, that at the instant when Tosca -placed his lips upon hers (and they had never been touched before by -man), the surging up of jealousy burst the shackles of the spell, and -the Illyrian clattered down like an avalanche. He reached the road -at the important moment when his oblivious partner, after shutting -the door of the coach, was upon the point of mounting the box to -drive the young beauty he knew not whither. Nor did it occur to him -that he knew not. But at this precise juncture his dream was -shattered by the advent of the Illyrian flashing fires of jealous -heat from his eyes. So choked with it was he that he could not -speak, but only pointed with one hand to the carriage while he -clenched the other in Tosca's face. The Venetian was equally taken -aback by the sudden resurrection of one whose presence in the world -he had totally overlooked. How long they would have stared at one -another had nothing intervened it would be impossible to say. They -were heedless of the barking of the black dog, since that had -continued without intermission from the first irruption of the -bid-stands. But they were twitched bolt round in the direction of -the coach by a sudden crack of its wheels. Whether the coachman had -fallen from his box through a genuine belief that he was hurt; or -whether through an equally genuine desire not to be; or, lastly, -through collusion did not appear, but it was sufficiently obvious -that the fellow had not received a scratch. Concluding the danger to -be over he had now quietly reassumed his post, and was driving off. -He took no more notice of the other two than if he had not seen them -(which again might really have been the case), and used his whip to -such good purpose that the vehicle was lost to sight (to memory dear) -before the rivals had taken a step to arrest its progress. Then -burst the storm of mutual recrimination. Tosca first spoke. - -"Darkness and devils! You have robbed me of that for which I would -not leave whole the skin of any man alive." - -"'S death, kinsman, would you draw on me? Remember you not the oath -of some few hours ago? Are you already so anxious to tap at that -postern we both wot of? Knock then, and it shall be opened unto you. -Ho, you pale at this reminder, and suffer your hand to drop from the -hilt of that ancestral spit of yours." - -"You were well advised to speak before I had drawn, or you would -perchance have learned ere this that there are one or two tricks of -fence I never taught even to you." - -"Deceit upon deceit. You have always given me to understand that -there was absolutely nothing in that branch of our partnership that -you had not revealed to me. Perchance I shall ere long come upon -some other tit-bit churlishly rapt aside. But why do I chide you for -teaching me too little, when I had rather cause to weep salt tears -that you have fathered me too much? When you met me, I had, as you -have told me oft, a mind so blank that you could write on it (and -that was the attraction that led you to adopt me) whatever kind of -script you chose; And you chose to scribble the Devil's A, B, C. It -is through your corruption of my innocent youth that I am unfit -to-day to even look upon such as she who has just escaped us (and -there ruled her favouring star). And if you reply that you have kept -me till I was of age, unspotted from the worst half of your -villainies, I dare swear that I should not be far out in conjecturing -that regard for the safety of your body, rather than for that of my -soul, was the true reason why you have never yet suffered me to wear -the glass mask in your laboratories. And, to crown all, you kissed -her." - -"Did I kiss her? I thought it was a dream." - -Thus Tosca murmured softly to himself, his head falling upon his -breast, as if in communion with some saint. It was Janko who this -time broke the silence by clutching of his sword. But Tosca looked -up with a glance so diabolical, that he dropped it again at once. By -a motion of his hand, the Venetian, as it were compelled him to seat -himself by the side of the road; and, sitting quietly beside him, -commenced in the following strain:-- - -"You make me laugh apart when you speak of my corrupting your -innocent youth. If you only knew the truth! Or, as you said just -now (God knows whether inspired by good or evil chance), if you only -knew that tit-bit rapt aside, as you thought, churlishly (when you -merely guessed at it), but in reality with more generosity, than you -will be decently able to thank me for (when you only know the facts). -Your innocent youth, indeed!! By the God above us, whom we both -fear, and neither serves, you will see by the story I am about to -tell you that I knew all the time and as I say with generosity have -concealed from you the nature of that catastrophe that shook loose -from you the memories of all your earliest years. You will see that -before your mind became a blank, I had read upon it (tender as were -your years) the lurid brand of Cain. You will see that your brain -was seared by your own atrocious hand, and that my adoption of you -afterwards was based on the calculation that for a bravo and poisoner -there could be in the whole round world no better raw material than a -matricide! Start not till you have heard me out. I was in Illyria. -Reasons which your experience of ups and downs in our profession will -readily enable you to appreciate had caused me to retire (rather -hurriedly, I confess) from the town which I had honoured with my -presence for some months. The same reasons oblige me to travel in -preference by night, and to secrete myself by day. On the first -occasion of my doing this latter, I settled upon an apparently -deserted hut in the trackless depths of the forest. This hut -consisted of a large front room (reaching to the roof tree) for the -accommodation of the two-footed, and a stall at back for that of the -four-footed creation. The latter did not run so high as the front -room, Inasmuch as it contained a loft for fodder atop, and it was in -this airy apartment that I decided to take my siesta, since it had -openings both upon the stables (if I may so call it) and the front -chamber, and my disposition as you know is strategic. I had slept, I -know not how long, when I was awakened by a noise in front, and -speedily ascertained that it was caused by an altercation going on -among visitors to the parlour. Do not start till you have heard me -out. One of the disputants was yourself. The other, who occupied -the only stool in the place, was a grey-haired, blear-eyed female of -considerable antiquity. I know nothing of your accursed Illyrian -jargon. But without understanding the conversation I could see the -beldame hugging to her withered breast a jewel, small, but of great -price, and withal slung upon a golden chain. I tell you without -hesitation that it was the same amulet you have been shown by me upon -a previous occasion, foolishly as it happened, since it stirred you -so profoundly as to almost resurrect your buried remembrances. That -it came into the hands of your precious dame by some feat of robbery -I have no doubt whatever. How it came into mine you will presently -see. Your excited gesture, as it seemed to me, might afford me some -clue to the progress of the quarrel, which I presumed had arisen as -to the fate of your booty, but I had scarcely awakened up -sufficiently to pull my reasoning faculties together, when the whole -thing ended in an, even to me, unexpectedly horrible manner. You -suddenly pushed a pail (which stood hard by) beneath the back of the -unsuspecting crone, and flashing a hanger from under your rags you -swept off her grey head into the bucket with the single shearing -stroke of a seasoned cut-throat. Then throwing upon the floor the -glittering bauble of contention, you surprised me still more by -swiftly separating the hands and feet, then the arms at elbow, and -the legs at knee, then the stumps from the trunk, and finally the -trunk itself into smaller parcels. That moment, and to-day, are the -two occasions of my life upon which I have loathed my calling. By my -word and oath I was as sick as a dog upon the litter of your loft. -When I looked again you had cast down the weeping steel which had -been the unwilling instrument of your crime. Packing all the -sections in a kind of bag or sack you rolled it up compactly. Then -seizing the ensanguined pail in the hand that was not occupied by -that pitiful truss of what had just been humanity, you strode with -them both from the desecrated home, but how you disposed of your -burdens I neither know nor care. That you had loaded your conscience -with a grislier deed than it could bear, I soon had good reason to -know. Perturbed at my perturbation I had scrambled to _terra firma_, -and had recovered myself sufficiently only to secure that amulet -(which as you know I still wear), when you re-entered empty handed in -that same state of idiocy, which moved me to overcome my distaste for -associates and adjoin you to myself in my profession. Besides, I -could not but admit (when once more fully myself) that you had shown -for it considerable vocation." - -The face of the Illyrian rolled with beads of sweat. For the third -time he was bound hard and fast by that same fascination which -already twice before had enthralled him. And as each time before so -again it was for a different cause. The first of these two prior -occasions resulted, as we know, from the sighting of the amulet. The -second on the sighting of the divinity of the coach. But this third -time was again different from the other two, in this respect, that -(although he would not have confessed it for all the riches entombed -in earth) he had now fully recognised the reason and connexion of all -three. He rose deliberately and spoke:-- - -"Now, you have told me, to suit your own purposes, a certain amount -of the truth, I remember to your confusion the details you -intentionally omitted. You lie in your throat when you say that when -I re-entered that room I was in the vacant state already. I -re-entered that room (and you know it) as sane as when I left it. I -found you standing there prepared with a glib story to the effect -that you were a stranger just stepped into the hut with the view of -seeing whether it was inhabited or not by anyone who could serve you -as a guide through the forest. Not knowing you so well as I do now, -I was simple enough to believe you. It never entered my head that -you could have witnessed the drama that had just been played, nor did -I think of the talisman in my momentary confusion at seeing in the -place a foreigner. I have now no doubt but that if I had looked for -it I should not have been able to find it. You diverted my attention -by inviting me to quaff from your spirit flask on the plea that I -looked unwell, as in truth I might, after the ordeal I had just -passed through. In my innocence (for I was innocent) I accepted the -draught, and the drug which you had placed in the liquor beforehand -destroyed my memory, never to return, until this eventful day. Yet I -think there was, however, one former occasion which it just missed a -return. That was when you showed me that ill-omened amulet, and it -awakened in me sentiment inexplicable then, but which now I am no -longer at a loss to understand. That jewel was wrought by the -science of my kinswoman, in whose hands you surprised it--for my -people, too, were of the ancient religion, like your own, and -sorcerers of the Black Side." - -At the commencement of this speech, Tosca seemed momentarily -disconcerted, but, as it continued, this sentiment was succeeded by -something very like prostration, and when he replied it was with -reverence. - -"What a galliard this is, and how aright I guessed when I saw in him -the making of a master in my trade. I thought to dash him with my -revelation of a monstrosity among crimes. I was a fool, indeed, to -think that a younker would bleach over the dissection of a granny, -who had anointed him from his cradle with the grease of unbaptised -babes. But I failed, and there's an end on't, and now sheer steel -must decide the issue, for we meet on equal ground. Equal do I say? -Nay! the boy is my superior in callousness, for I dearly loved my own -old people, though I never say God rest their souls." - -He rose, and both men laid their hands upon their hilts. One of them -had not very long to live. But before entering upon the fateful -lists, the Illyrian turned to speak again. - -"In case you slay me, which I believe will not be the case (for God -does sometimes defend the right), I cannot forbear an answer to your -last taunt. You did not understand, and you have never understood, -and you never will understand the real meaning of the scene you saw -enacted in that room upon that day. I am not sure whether it was a -blessing or a curse upon our race that you did not catch the drift of -our remarks in our native language, which you contemptuously term -jargon. Had you done so the fate of all three of us would have been -better or worse, but at any rate far different. The tortures of the -Inquisition would not force from me the secret, which was confided to -me then by that ancient lady whom you saw me slay indeed, but only -after her own repeated prayers and instructions. I shudder to think -what has become of her remains which she entrusted to my pious care, -and which for your accursed interference I have been unwillingly -prevented from attending to. I know, indeed, the fate of her other -legacy (for the amulet was a legacy that you thought a theft); but it -is now too late (again through your accursed interference) for me to -make such use of that knowledge as she had enjoined upon me to do. -But to you (who know nothing of its use and profit) it shall hang as -a millstone round your neck, and whether you live or whether you die -it shall infallibly sink you now or hereafter to the undiscovered -bottom of that Bottomless Lake whose source we both do know. And -whichever of us falls shall by the terms of that enactment (of so -short a while ago) be resented and avenged by that Master of ours, -who waits even at this moment for that most unhappy man." - -The face of Tosca became white and red. He flashed that -time-honoured blade of his from its sheath, and motioned with it to -the Illyrian to take up a position opposite to him. Janko turned -round for one second to do so, and in that second the sword of his -faithless foe was plunged remorselessly through his back. The point -protruded through his breast. The next instant the sword had been -withdrawn, and the Illyrian lay upon the turf among the ragged hedge -pirates, who had fallen before by the same trained hand. But this -time the Venetian took the trouble to assure himself of the death of -his foe before returning his sword to its bed. That was the only -honour he paid to the body that had once been only less dear to him -than his own. That done, he threw himself down at the road side, and -took out from under his doublet that very talisman of which we have -heard so much. It had gained greatly in his estimation by the -mystery which had lately thickened round it. We have already -mentioned that it was suspended round his neck by a gold chain; but -we must now give a more particular description of the gem itself. It -had undoubtedly originally been intended for a seal, or, to speak -more correctly, seven seals, for it had (and this constituted its -particularity) seven sides or facets, and on each of these engraved a -sigil or cabalistic monogram, and each sigil was that of a different -planet of the seven that rule over the seven days of the week. All -this the bravo, from his early environment, was sufficiently skilled -to know. He also recognised at once that the person wishing to use -the stone for its original purpose of sealing, would choose on each -day that facet of the gem which bore the signature of the planet that -presided over the day in question. But this, though no doubt of -considerable efficiency, was not by any means of so great virtue as -to sufficiently explain the very enigmatical manner in which the -amulet had been alluded to by the hapless boy, whose present fate he -shuddered to reflect on. He endeavoured, with more or less success, -to banish speculation on that point by returning to his examination -of the ring, if we may apply that term to a jewel which was not -pierced with sufficiently large a hole to fit even upon the smallest -of fingers. Such hole as it had, and through which its chain now -passed, he conjectured must have been originally intended to receive -the handle of the seal, upon which, fitting loosely, the gem turning -round and round could be made to present any facet desired to the -paper which its owner intended to impress. At this point of his -meditation the bravo was aroused by the sound of footsteps. A number -of officials, both on horse and otherwise, had arrived from the -neighbouring town. These he recognised at once as belonging to that -inconvenient class (the guardians, let us say, of public safety) from -whom he had fled on many another well remembered occasion besides the -one he had just made mention of in his story to the ill-starred -Illyrian. Yet at the present moment he had no fear of them. Perhaps -this was because he knew that they came on account of the depositions -of the lodestar of his dreams, and that he would have run any risk to -be brought once more into chain with her. A less hardened adventurer -might have been embarrassed by the presence of Janko's body. But to -a fertility of resource such as Tosca had needs acquired, it -presented no obstacle whatever. He rose, and bowed with a grace he -had learned in the very highest society. The officers returned his -salute. They conjectured rightly that this stranger of distinguished -appearance was the beaten blade who had performed the prodigies of -valour, which when told them in the city they had deemed to be -fabulous, but of which they now saw the proofs before their eyes. -The obliging champion was quite willing to relate his own private -version of the affair. He paused only to consider whether it would -be advisable to have been wounded slightly, but he decided against -this fiction as liable to lead to trouble. - -"Yes; as you say, I naturally wished to rest awhile after the -fatigues of such a combat. Besides, I guessed, of course, that I -should soon see upon the field of battle you gentlemen of justice, -whose promptness in these matters has become proverbial, and with -whom I would not for the world have lost the chance of an interview. -I might, it is true, have foisted myself into the carriage for its -journey to town. But the lady, as she doubtless told you, had -fainted right away, and I was therefore debarred from obtaining that -permission, without which no man of breeding could venture to take -such a liberty. And before I had time to achieve a seat on the box, -the coachman was off; for the fellow was drunk, as your penetration -must have perceived from the muddled state of his evidence. Of the -valour you so kindly allude to, my modesty forbids me to speak. But -I am bound in honour to temper your flattering opinion of the -achievement by confessing that I am a fencing master by profession, -and that a score or so of thrusts and parries is merely a matter of -daily bread with me. I must add, in this connexion, that I am also a -physician, and one possessed of medicaments that cure all ills. -Further, I was proceeding to your town with the view of establishing -a dual practice among you, when this trifle we are discussing fell -athwart the even tenor of my way, and I hope still to establish -myself there, and even to continue my journey in your company (which -is such as I most affect) now this accident has given me, as I -perceive, introduction to all the most desirable connexions in the -place. You will notice yonder, by the way, a fellow of better -apparal than the rest of the run-a-gates, and whom I take to be their -captain. The other scaramouches gave me no trouble whatever, but I -must confess that the spadassin in question was a little bit more of -a customer. I had the lady on one arm (as she doubtless told you), -and had the rabble been able to get on all sides of me at once, the -affair would indeed have been the devil's delight. But since I kept -my back, like an old campaigner, to the coach, I felt no kind of -flurry; and, as I knew from the first that I should, I came at length -to disarm him. The poltroon then turned to save his skin (I had -thought him braver stuff); but I, as you may suppose, was far too -limber for him, and skewered him through the back. You can see for -yourselves how my point protruded through his breast. In my humble -opinion he might well dance in chains here on a gibbet upon the scene -of his crime, as a warning to the rest of his riff-raff that scuttled -away from my invincible arm as soon as their leader fell." - -This Tosca considered the master-stroke of his dissimulation. No -suspicion could now light upon him. The lady had seen but him, and -knew nothing of his companion. The coachman had either seen two men -or none. If he spoke of two they would ascribe it to his -drunkenness, and inquire if he did not also see two ladies. Tosca -was furthest of all from suspecting that by this very suggestion he -thought to be so masterly he was forging the bolt that should destroy -him. With delight he perceived that the officers had clutched at his -idea, and immediately set their underlings to work upon the gallows, -after first entombing the raggeder ruffians ignominiously in a ditch. -Leaving them to their congenial work Tosca proceeded with the -officers to town, and gathered as he went all the particulars that he -could of his enchantress. And her name, which he heard for the first -time, seemed familiar as a household word. Vergilia had resided for -months in the city, but was by birth a stranger, from what country no -one knew. It was only known that she had sojourned for similar -periods in other principal places. She was an orphan, she was -unmarried, she was an heiress. Wherever she pleased to set her -wandering feet men flocked in shoals to be trampled beneath them. -And of these, Tosca shrewdly guessed, were the majority of his -present companions. She consistently refused all offers, and this -was the unanswerable argument of the more logical sex to their women, -who hated her like poison, and who would have it that she made use of -love philtres to effect her endless conquests. The only ground for -this assertion seemed to be that wherever she travelled her bed -chamber was always sacredly reserved to her own person, entered by no -one else under any circumstances whatever, and locked when she was -not within, she herself performing all domestic duties connected with -it. Those admirers of hers, who had not yet put their fate to the -touch, all indignantly scouted the theory advanced by the rejected -that she concealed a lover in this sanctum. Nor was such an idea -surely possible to any one who looked with unjaundiced eye, even once -on her virginal purity. Tosca gazed on her for the second time that -day, and swore within his heart of hearts (quite drowning all -recollection of that prior oath) that the very first lover she should -have would be none other than himself. - - -(_End of Part I._) - - - - -PART II. - -THE DEVIL'S CANDLE. - -The revolution of our legend brings us once more round to that same -direful boundary hour, with which it was commenced between midnight -and the first born of the day. But on the hills a gibbet stands that -stood not there before, a beacon to the minions of the moon. Alas -for the misguided youth that hangs there helpless and unhouseled. -His brave attire the cupidity of his topsmen had appropriated to -their own use. His body they had arrayed for the sake of decency in -rags stripped from the verminiferous trunks of his several supposed -followers, and these huddled him like the swathings of some -dismantled mummy. A gorged carrion bird dozes upon each of his -shoulders. The hinds, whom their business brought upon the road even -so late as twilight, had run afield copiously crossing themselves. -Who, then, is this--a woman, too--that comes at the awfullest hour of -all, and to the very foot of the gallows? Nothing but her eyes can -be seen from under her hood. Are those the eyes of Vergilia that -Tosca dreams of and deems unfathomable as the Bottomless Lake itself? -Is the intuition of her sex, then, unfailing after all, and she a -witch, that with love philtres works her syren spell, and seeks at -this dread hour for the wherewithal? And what, then, can she peer -for about the foundations of a gibbet, save alone that fetid and -fearsome white-flowered orange-berried Devil's Candle mandragora that -is engendered in the womb of earth from a gibbeted murderer's -drippings on the midnight of his death? The Illyrian bravo had been -seven times a murderer (if not seventy times seven), and many a lost -soul rejoiced in Hell that night over the weird that the witch woman -was to work. She has found it at last, the favourable specimen, by -her long sought through fruitless years. She has found the root in -human form complete--two armed, two legged--the Microcosm -caricaturing man. And now her low whistle brings her black hound -forward out of the black night. Even she is affected as she kisses -him for the last time. Iscariotical kiss! With a cord from her -youthful waist she attaches animal and plant together, and flees from -thence, stopping her ears as she runs. The hound (whose faith is to -strike his death-knell) seeks to follow her, and finds himself held -back. He wrestles with the invisible obstacle and conquers, but to -die, for as the unholy mannikin root is perforce torn out of its -mother earth it utters a piercing shriek that makes rattle the chains -of its father above, and the hound, in an instant foaming at the -mouth, in fits expires. Then, and then only, turns the murderess -back on her blood-stained steps. The carcase of her sole unvenial -follower she casts falteringly apart, The girdle is already attached -by one end to the gruesome plant. By throwing round to it the other -end she completes the circuit of her shapely throat, and held fast by -this improvised necklace tucks the loathsome herb creature into her -lovely bosom, which no being of its sex had ever yet been free of. -Hence now to develop him, for to this is that secret chamber destined -that had never seen denizen but herself before. There is her -laboratory, and there shall this earth child be magically tendered -and nourished, and most magically grow to more and more of man's -resemblance. Since in a manner by his mystical birth he is one flesh -and blood with the murderer that begot him, he is perforce of Hell, -and can Hell's secrets impart to the enchantress that holds him in -her power. To what her cravings tend, which by his means or any -other that affords itself, she must and will by hook or crook attain, -we now shall shortly see. In spite of her evident youth, Vergilia -was far too accomplished an actress, of course, to reveal by word or -sign her secret studies to the gilded youth that continue to throng -her halls. But Tosca visited her upon a different footing. Spending -his days with her in the body, and his nights with her in the -spirit--spacing out with drink and dice the unutterable intervals -when he could do neither one nor the other--he neglected his -professional avocations altogether, and existed absolutely for her. -On her part she had shown him, as we have seen, particular favour -from the first moment she saw him, and this became continuously more -and more after she had wormed his story from him--as much as he chose -to tell, and which of course excluded entirely the existence of the -Illyrian--until at length she requited him with like confidence. -What the butterflies that sought their own purposes about her chose -to think of her preference she cared not, but her modesty at length -obliged her to account for it in private to the preferred one himself -by alleging the similarity of their descent (for that she also came -of old necromantic stock), and to explain her refusal of all suitors -(even to coronets) on the grounds that none of them could satisfy, -till Tosca came, her yearnings for the occult. To an archimage alone -would she give her right hand, and his right hand she meant to be. -The blessing of the Church would be a curse to such a pair. Heedless -then of what, in their position, they needs must deem the degradation -of any such ceremony, she had herself devised her own test piece by -which a favoured suitor could be at the same time tried, and by its -failure or success dismissed or indissolubly wedded. She had sworn -in fact to bestow herself without reserve upon the student (his -person being also to her fancy) who could call up for her substantial -from the vasty deep a magical palace in which her fantastic -imagination had long run riot, and in which carnal love and -cabalistic lore should wander hand in hand the livelong day without -let or hindrance from the outer world well lost. Prone to such -thoughts from her cradle, this aerial architecture of hers had taken -final shape in the first days of her visit to that town, when -disdaining the legend of the boors, she had penetrated the precincts -of the Bottomless Lake, and quickened her brain with the idea of how -suitable to a lover and his mistress would be retreat into a -never-visited seclusion such as that. Then the thing grew. She -pictured and demolished one after another various enchanted buildings -floating upon the waters themselves (and that was the common thread -that ran through them all) sailing to the shore upon the wish of the -dwellers in them, but entirely inaccessible to any outward authority, -either human or divine. Now that she had discovered the Venetian to -be the one man to whom she would accord permission to substantialise -her dreams (supposing he could find the power) she submitted to him -with much shy laughter her latest ground plan of this castle in the -air. She had borrowed from the sensuous East its key-hole arches and -quadrangular bowers built round, and enclosing court yards glowing -with flowers from every region of the earth, and never the same at -two successive visits. Birds interchanged at every inspection in -like manner were to agitate the air with their antiphonies. And the -fountains in the centres of all the court yards (fed from the waters -of the Bottomless Lake) when lapped into the beakers of the lovers -would become the rarest wine. The outermost waters would glister -with gold and silver fish, shot through with the plungings of white -aquatic birds. Within the building, the rooms kaleidoscopically -should never meet them twice with the same face. Their servants -should be automata scattered through every chamber, and ready at a -touch to fly to master or mistress like genii of the Arabian Nights, -but instantly relapsing after service into their first stony -insensibility. Of much more Vergilia whispered such as at times -frenzied in Tosca the knowledge of his impotence to win her upon her -terms. Had he but inherited the secrets of his fathers! Had he but -the knowledge stored up in the grey brain of that hairless blear-eyed -Hell-sent hag of Illyria! Could he but solve the enigma of the Seven -Sigils, that at any rate might bring him somewhat nearer to his end! -And his rivals envied him. Closer and closer there seemed to flutter -to him the moth they thought he had singed. But never close enough. -Then came an event that led up to his climax of fruition found green -in the mouth. Stated in short, it fell somewhat as follows: At the -end of her daily banquet she was wont to leave her guests to their -wine, while she paid one of her frequent visits to that unseen -chamber. One of those disappointed suitors of hers (as it chanced, -or was fated on a certain day), inspired with the valour of much wine -imbibed after she had left her table, swore roundly that he would -follow her, and pluck out at any hazard the heart of that mystery. -Before he could be stopped by fellow guest or flunkey he had stumbled -up the stairway, and burst open the door she had but lately closed -behind her. The next moment a most frightful shriek resounded -through every corner of the house. It was not Vergilia's. It was -uttered by the fool-hardy intruder. The company started from their -seats. But before they could do anything he staggered into the room -again with hair as white as snow, and lips that gibbered loathsomely. -Amid a scene of indescribable confusion he was carried off by his -friends insane and inpenetrable as to the cause of his fright, nor -did he ever recover sufficiently to give an explanation of it. When -all the rest of the terrified crowd of loungers and lackeys had -hustled pell mell from the house, Tosca alone remained. His hour he -thought had come. But it was only in a measure so. The lady of the -house re-appeared, it is true, after the hurried exodus of masters -and servants, and agitated as he had expected, but not to his -surprise by their defection. She babbled brokenly, instead, of some -one else whom she had lost through the unexpected intrusion of that -venturesome drunkard, now sobered for good and all. Thus she rooted -from that moment in the mind of Tosca the horrible suspicion that the -story of the concealed lover might have some truth in it after all. -How could he know aught of her experimental mandrake culture, for of -course it was the mandrake she referred to? The only creature -besides herself that had witnessed her infernal arcana had just been -borne a mouthing maniac from the seat of her operations, and perhaps -not even had time enough to notice the nature of the disaster, which -his untimely interference had brought about. However, for the time -Tosca dismissed his suspicions when she fell into his arms and -telling him between laughter and tears that he was now the only hope -that remained to her, she begged him at once to summon together all -his scattered occult acquirements, and make an incantation that very -night that should yield them both their heart's desire. He swore to -do so, hardly knowing what he swore, and fled from her in a wind of -excited passion and passionate resolve. For some time after this he -endeavoured to put his ideas coherently together by dint of pacing -madly through the streets. It was already dusk, and at first he -elicited no remark. But presently he noticed that his footsteps were -being dogged. He was a connoisseur in such matters. This must be a -rival more fixed than the remainder of the craven herd that had so -readily taken flight, and one that had watched the bravo during the -time that he stayed behind. Or perchance nothing more mysterious -than a dunning creditor, for Tosca had lately run out of ready money, -and while exercising no trade still maintained a splendid appearance. -Nor had this also been altogether without weight with him when he -accepted the challenge of his bewitching mistress. Not wishing to -embroil himself with the person whom he supposed to be shadowing him, -he entered a tavern and called for wine. He had scarcely seated -himself when a masked stranger of short stature and somewhat uncouth -appearance entered the same inn, and sat down at the same table, -giving the same order. The nerves of our Venetian were more shaken -by the extraordinary episode of the afternoon than he would himself -have cared to own. Not liking the looks of his would-be boon -companion, and conjecturing some connexion between that individual -and the counter of his paces, Tosca got up and left the tavern -without awaiting the execution of his command. To his consternation -the stranger followed him. An exciting chase ensued. The bravo -entered house after house, seating himself in each case, and always -closely hugged by his mysterious hanger on, who as regularly seated -himself by the bravo's side, and as soon as he withdrew followed him -out into the street. A kind of panic seized the fearless swordsman. -A challenge to the inexplicable stranger stuck again and again in his -throat. At last the houses began to close their shutters. The -baffled fugitive struck desperately out of the town into the open -country, and made his way in the direction of the Bottomless Lake. -As the footfalls of his ghostly visitant pattered still behind him he -consoled himself with the grim reflection that right up to that -ill-omened shore, at any rate, the spy would not dare to venture. -But he was mistaken. As he paused breathless on the brink of that -Stygian sea and faced round boldly on to what he deemed to be -invisibility, he found it was instead the form of his fear that stood -there as before. He was seized with the boldness of desperation, and -addressed the mysterious and still masked being with a voice of -tolerable calm. - -"Who are you, and what is your need of me?" - -"I am Magloire, a necromancer of France, and it is you that have need -of me." - -"You are over bold to say so." - -"I say what I know. Dare you deny that you entertain the intention -of making an incantation here this very night, and that you lack only -the means to do so? A scheme of geomancy acquainted me with your -design, and being entangled in your fate, for reasons that you must -not know (for you will know them if anything too soon) I sped from -afar upon wings of wind to conduct your conjuration for you." - -"You have a price for this?" - -"I see you are a man of the world, and are aware that nothing is -usually given for nothing. I ask you merely to sign this bond." - -"I understand your interest in me better than you seem to think, and -on no account will I barter away my immortal soul." - -"Your immortal soul, do you say? By the Nine Legions of Hell, does -the man think that the cross was stretched on Calvary for any such -scum as he? Your immortal soul, of which you hug yourself the -possessor, was lost irredeemably from your cradle up. The signature -to the bond is a matter of form." - -"You do not think so since you ask me to sign it. But ask of me -anything else, and it shall be given to you." - -"By the tie of which I spoke, that is stronger than blood as blood is -thicker than water (so they say), I will help you, though you -vouchsafe me a mere keepsake. Make over to me that amulet that you -wear around your neck, and the bargain is firm and true. The dawn -shall caress a tenement based on the shifting foundation of these -waters, such as even shall satisfy the caprices of Vergilia." - -The bravo had recovered himself, as we have said, but these evidences -of an intimate knowledge of his affairs filled him again with -apprehension. And the stranger still continued masked. After a -short deliberation, however, Tosca decided not to let slip an -opportunity as welcome as unexpected, and granted apparently in -exchange for a trinket of no worth to him whatever, though he was not -unaware that it might be of inestimable value to any one who knew (as -this Frenchman presumably did) the secret of the Seven Sigils. With -a parting sigh for its enigma still unsolved, so often the toy of his -leisure hours, he detached it from his neck, and passed it on to the -Gaul, who fastened it about his own. That he was a wizard of his -word became immediately apparent. Taking up a piece of chalk he -scored out rapidly a double circle, one circumference within the -other, upon the shelf of rock upon which they stood. Between the two -circumferences he drew a ring of symbols of purport to the Venetian -unknown, but which he endeavoured to retain in his memory for -possible future use. Within the innermost of these two lines of -defence the sorcerer collected a quantity of brushwood, and after -having ignited these materials he entrusted the bravo with sundry -perfumes, some in the shape of evil smelling dried stuffs, and some -sealed up in phials, with minute instructions as to the order and -quantities in which (the incantation having commenced) they were to -feed the fire. To Magloire would fall the duty of reciting the -continuous charge which for the whole duration of the work was to -hold the evil angels in thrall. Lastly, the Gaul drew his -companion's attention to the fact that as soon as midnight sounded -the conjuration was to commence, and before one must end. For that -hour alone would signatory protectors avail him against the furies he -evoked. But this Tosca already knew. He was, as we have seen, no -such novice in the worship of powers retrograde as this schooling -showed his colleague to believe. The distant clock now struck (how -well the bravo remembered all the circumstances in which he had heard -that sound from this spot before), and the sorcerer began in a -thunderous voice to recite his litanies. Couched throughout in -somewhat dubious Latinity they were by the bravo only partially -understood, but he perceived that commencing with extravagant bead -roll of the Heavenly powers with which they two had fortified -themselves, and with impudent encomiums of their own matchless -courage and endurance among men, Magloire proceeded to eulogise the -nine princes of the lower world in terms the most complimentary, -exhorting them to satisfy their good friends the exorcists in the -mere trifle they demanded. As this modest request was not responded -to, the reciter gradually changed his tone. The compliments became -thinned by degrees and beautifully less, and were fairly well mixed -with horrible threats, and approbrious epithets, which again meeting -with no recognition, the theme of the chant now ceased to contain any -allusion whatever of a gratifying character. All was menace piled on -menace and insult piled on insult, Pelion upon Ossa till the riotous -whirl of words merged into one continuous curse, in the midst of -which reverberated again and again (amid the shudders of the waters -and the trembling of the earth) that ineffable sacred and secret Name -of Names, at which the celestials and the terrestrials and the -infernals do shake together and are troubled and confused. And with -that there rumbled thunders round the skirts of earth and belched -forth lightnings from their midst. And the lightnings continued to -lighten without pause, until they seemed all one meteor of fire that -hovered over the surface of the Bottomless Lake. And the meteor -burst and shot forth myriads upon myriads of shapeless forms down -towards the surface, whilst upwards from the surface rose a sort of -scum or mist. And this scum or mist, meeting those shapeless forms, -they seemed to seize upon it--and work it--and make it build as it -were walls. But all was seen as through a glass darkly, and, -besides, the bravo was still employed in casting priceless balsams -upon hissing flames that many a time and oft became half extinguished -(to his terror) by the sweat that rained from his brow. By his side -the French enchanter still swayed his arms towards on high, and on -high unceasingly rolled his incomprehensible cabala. The slightest -fear or the slightest hesitation, and what might not be their fate? -For such a slip innumerable infernal skirmishers were hovering hard -by in readiness. But now the danger is almost over. The gangs have -done their grudging work, and a palace hangs between wind and water -seductive and serene where nothing hung before. The last odours are -burning. The weird wailing of the magus is slackening into the -majestic formulæ of dismissal. Without this termination to the -ritual the magicians on leaving their sanctuary would have been torn -limb from limb by the awaiting fiends. But being expelled as -ceremoniously as they had been evoked, the filmy hosts had no choice -for it but to crumble into the nothingness from which they came. - -"Go in peace unto your place! Peace be between you and us! Be you -ready to come when you are called." - -These culminating words of the oration were uttered at the very -moment that the faithful distant watchman proclaimed it the hour of -one. As the two daring trespassers upon realms forbid stepped out -from their double breast-work, the bravo in vain endeavoured to make -out the exact architectural details of his palace in the darkness. -It was pretty clear to him, however, that instructions given had been -faithfully fulfilled. He considered that he had done a very good -night's work. How unexpected when he left Vergilia's house was this -chance rencounter that fate had in store for him. He began to have -some regard for Providence. He paid no attention to the wizard who -was commencing to obliterate his signs. Magloire had done his work -well, but he had been paid for it in advance. So much for Monsieur -Magloire (of France), who, he presumed, would now be off again about -his own affairs. Tosca strolled towards the city. His business was -to wait upon his betrothed (for such she now surely was), and drag -her off at once to the castle of her behest. A day of luxury -followed by a night of love. That was his bill of fare. But he had -reckoned without his host. He was ignorant that, in exchange for the -palace, he had bartered the true key to the situation and most -stringent claim of all upon the regard of his Vergilia. He was far -from suspecting that essential clue to the labyrinth which Janko had -recovered only just before his death, but which world without end -would never have wrung from him to the advantage of his assassin. -This essential clue consisted in the recognition of the hag of -Illyria and the beautiful Vergilia as one and the same person. Now -Janko had been her kinsman, and her intimate in her former existence, -and had been privy and assistant (as we know) to the rite by which -her youth was to be renewed. To him the inheritance was destined of -the seal which she had constructed for this end, and by the existence -of which alone her rejuvenescence could be effected. Upon the -success of her experiment, after seven days of seeming death, it was -intended that he should restore it to her; but we are already aware -that, through the interference of the Venetian, that success he had -never seen. The memory of his obligation being destroyed by the drug -of the poisoner, the talisman that was bound up with it became the -plaything of the bravo. The plaything of the bravo we repeat, and it -could never be anything else to him, so long as he remained in -ignorance of the peculiar power it exerted over the transfigurated -witch. For the amulet was the invisible load-stone that at the -moment when first they met had drawn her head down irresistibly to -his breast, where it lay concealed. Hold out as she might, she must -nevertheless infallibly have ultimately yielded to the spell by which -the Seven Sigils gave its holder power over her life. And Tosca had -unwittingly exchanged it for Dead Sea fruit. The fantastical -personage calling himself Magloire was, on the other hand, well aware -(for reasons which, for the moment, we leave in the dark) of the -power of the pawn he thus obtained. His proffer of the bond, in the -first instance, was a ruse (for he knew it would not be signed), and -it served very well its end of diverting suspicion from his real -purpose by making that appear an after thought. Now that he had -obtained the long-sought-for prize, he stopped in his work of -demolishing his geometry (the bravo being no longer in sight), and -stood for a long time collecting in the jewel every possible ray of -light. Then he did a most extraordinary thing, even for him, whose -every deed was extraordinary. He took it off its chain, which he -threw carelessly away, and conveying the glittering heptagon to his -mouth, he swallowed it. There was method in his apparent madness. -Its virtues would not suffer in the slightest from its imprisonment. -The fortunes borne by its Seven Sigils for good or for evil were -henceforth indissolubly bound up with his being. In this way he -avoided any possible chance of its ever passing out of his -possession. But the most urgent reason for his caution was the -imminent return of his late assistant. He had gauged the character -of that individual too deeply to feel safe while in his company. And -in his company he evidently intended to remain. The sun had now -risen, and the structure he had wrought by a word out of nothing was -at last entirely visible. And he saw that it was good. The waters -around it swarmed with love and feud between fishes gold and silver -and white aquatic birds. Other feathered life hopped the countless -little streamers which adorned the shining turrets. A broad landing -stage fronted the chief gate which was the higher of it to the extent -of a magnificent flight of steps. As to the interior the Moorish -lattices were inscrutable. But curiosity need not long remain -unsatisfied. The handsome pair for whom this casket was destined -were already joyously approaching. The bravo started when he came in -sight of the secretive Gaul still masked, and as at the moment when -he left him rubbing out the traces of his circles. Vergilia started, -as if in recognition of some acquaintance perchance of her youth. -The vaguely mysterious Seven Sigils had launched their erotic work. -The bravo surprised the attention which the Frenchman had -excited--remembered that he had never liked him from the first--and -began to look upon him as a possible rival. But the desire to take -French leave of him begot the bewildering discovery that although the -castle floated, complete as per contract, he was powerless himself by -any exertion of wish or will to cause it to sail to shore that they -might enter in according to the original plan sketched out by its -fair young architect. In this dilemma the Gaul came bowing and -scraping to his aid, and showed that by a simple signal of his hand -he could attract it to him as a magnet attracts iron. And now Tosca -began to suspect the lurking of some design in all this. His -suspicions were confirmed when Magloire stepped with them upon the -threshold of their new home, and the palace immediately resumed its -place in the centre of the Bottomless Lake. There was now no chance -for it but to admit the unwelcome guest. Their feet were lost to the -ankles in the carpet that covered the nakedness of that royal flight -of stairs we have already alluded to. They passed into a banqueting -hall of exquisite proportion, and sculpt with a fairy chisel. -Through keyhole arches that overlooked a central court, the melodies -of all kinds of singing birds were wafted contrapuntally across the -strains of the equally invisible musicians inside the banqueting hall -itself, while the sun-litten flashings of a fountain formed the organ -point that threaded through the whole--so much as this the Venetian -came, and saw, and enjoyed; but as to the laced and liveried -semblances of life with which the banqueting hall was alive, they -were semblances of death for all the service which the wish and will -of Tosca sought to exact from them. And here again the Frenchman -came to his aid, and these genii, at his command, throbbed with -obsequious ichor. Tables (in a second, magnificently clothed) -groaned under the newest of foods and beakers filled at the central -spring (fed from the waters of the Bottomless Lake) brimmed with the -oldest of wines. Vergilia and Magloire appeared infused with perfect -life, but to the bravo all was bitter in the mouth. He saw by the -action of the genii of the place that the contract agreed to, and -possibly only too literally carried out, had not been sufficiently -comprehensive. The day had dawned, it is true, upon a tenement that -eminently satisfied the caprices of Vergilia. But the bravo was only -in name its master and hers. The castle that mocked his efforts to -move it came and went at the motion of his rival, the servants that -were automata to Tosca were alive to the bidding of Magloire, and -Vergilia had forsaken her old love and beamed only upon the new. -Nay, she cast upon Magloire the self-same love light which had fired -Tosca's blood in her defence when he snatched her from her ravishers, -that never to be forgotten day when first they met. He had thought -his valour saved her from a fortune worse than death, which now he -feared would have affected her not at all. For he saw that all the -signs of an apparently virgin love could rise up like phoenix from -the ashes of a past one. And he shuddered to think how often this -process might have been repeated. Had all her lovers then enjoyed -her perchance save Tosca alone? And yet all the more she sank in his -estimation, the fuller swelled the tide of his desire. The long -luxurious banquet was a torture to him with this death's head at his -feast. His rage increased steadily with the jealousy it fed upon. -The long drawn courses were no sooner over than he seized upon some -trifling pretext (we know not what) to leave Vergilia alone for a few -moments while he drew his rival to that central court, whence -perfumed zephyrs blew. The stranger still continued masked. To this -Tosca first alluded laying his hand upon the hilt of that famous old -sword of his. - -"Unmask your face that I may know you." - -"You shall know me too well ere long." - -"Restore me that amulet unearned by your accursed jugglery." - -"You will never see it again." - -"Then let this sword of justice decide between us that has settled -many a case for me before, and the Devil help his own! But first -reveal to me your real style and title (and a fig for the assumed one -that you go by), that I may learn with what enemy I have to deal that -has cause to hunt me down as you have hunted me." - -"You deal with the Resenter and Avenger of the murder of the -Illyrian." - -A shiver ran down the spine of the Venetian. Yet his blade -nevertheless flashed from its sheath, and he motioned to the stranger -to take up a position opposite to him. Magloire turned round for one -second to do so, and in that second the sword of his faithless foe -was plunged remorselessly through his back. The point protruded -through his breast. The next instant the sword had been withdrawn, -and the still unexplained Frenchman lay prone upon the ground by the -self-same stratagem that had availed with the man of whom he styled -himself avenger. And this time also the Venetian took the trouble to -assure himself of the death of his victim before returning his sword -to its scabbard. That done, he proceeded next to ascertain the real -identity of this mysterious being whom he had supposed to be one of -his numerous enemies working out a long delayed vendetta. With a -clutch the mask was torn to ribbons, and with a shriek the bravest of -the brave recoiled from the Mandrake it revealed; and, as the -shrieker heard his shriek, he recognised its kind. It was fellow to -that one he had heard the day before from the chamber of Vergilia, -never deeming that he himself in turn would be frighted with the same -basilisk face. But it frighted him (after all) with a difference. -The soul of the pot valiant courtier had been reft from its silken -frame, but the tempered ribs of the Man of War held fast their trust -within. His brain whirled and steadied itself--his blood shot forth -and back again--his eye grew dark and cleared. On to his knees he -sank, indeed, that never had bent to conquered (or unconquered) foe -before, but that was the only abatement from his pride of place. -That was his only homage to the escaped familiar of the sorceress' -privacy, that grim guardian whose gorgon glimpse had yesterday -sobered the drunkard and petrified the itching flesh of lust. And -the situation brought its panacea. Ignorant still of the effect of -the Seven Sigils, he fancied he had discovered now why the sorceress -had favoured the Mandragorean watchman with the love glance once -reserved for Tosca. It must be because that monster also had -rendered service to her virtue as the bravo had rendered it before. -One question still remained unanswered. Had Vergilia herself never -seen the face of this awful animated root? Or had she, by daily -touch, kept up from the very first plucking of the plant, so grown up -along with its progressing hideosity as to feel no inception of -abhorrence? At any rate, his Mandrakeship was now placed finally -_hors de boudoir_. And the bravo reflected that he laughs best who -laughs the last. Take heed, though, Tosca, there rests one yet -unslain till the day of final doom, in whose danger you still stand, -and whose claws are creeping towards you from the dark places of the -earth! Who sups with the Devil had need have a very long spoon. But -now there flashes like a sunbeam through the court the golden-haired -vision of whose destiny he now hoped himself sole arbiter. Roused by -that fell shriek, her anxiety nevertheless was far from being for the -utterer of it. With a cry of agonised acute despair she flung past -the outstretched arms of the bravo on to the prostrate body of the -lover still bound to her in death by the magic of the talisman he had -swallowed with so justified a foresight. The bravo knelt no longer -to the Mandrake, but to her, and with a cry plucked up the thoughts -of his deepest soul. - -"Thou wanton and thing of many lovers, yet whom still I madly love! -By the love you once bore me, have pity on me now and vouchsafe me -but the leavings of this man or monster. A living dog is better than -a dead lion, so they say. Call me your dog or what you will, so that -you call me yours. For you I placed my soul in pledge, and would you -now desert me in my indignity? Nay then, if your choice be -irrevocably riveted to this carrion, so be it! But you shall share -the fate of him whom you so fancy. The Grand Seignieur is -connoisseur in the art of fittest punishing the faithless. With my -own eyes I have seen his favourite odalisques sewn up in sacks, and -dropped into the Bosphorus. And with my own hands I will deal with -you even so. You shall have your fill of local colour ere you have -done with your palace of the East." - -The bravo was now crouching instead of kneeling, and gathering -himself up into a spring as of a panther he plunged upon the still -disconsolable mourner. Twining his fingers recklessly about the -golden hair he oft had kissed, he dragged her, not without difficulty -from the corpse of the Thing, whose fall she wept, jerking her -spasmodically into the hall and overturning its furniture right and -left. Amid the crashing of shattered bric-a-brac, he grabbed at the -nearest cushion from a divan that stood hard by, and ripping out its -entrails with the ferocity of an attack upon a living thing, he -felled the shrieking girl to the ground with a blow that would have -startled an ox, and forced his contrived receptacle somehow and -anyhow over her body, she uttering never a syllable the while. Did -she think that he had no heart to carry to a finish such a deed? Or -was it still the eccentric influence of the Seven Sigils that made -death to her preferable to life apart from the one beloved? This we -cannot answer. Enough that Tosca seemed in deadly earnest as he -shook together the members of his mistress, and compressing the mouth -of his improvised sarcophagus, tied it up with the belt from his -waist. This done he left it on the couch, and returned to the -central court drowsy with incense laden flowers. He intended to -yield Vergilia one more chance. Left to herself, and already wrapped -in her winding sheet, the present expectation of a painful death -would surely lead to second thoughts, and induce her to lavish less -carelessly the future of her youth and beauty--the splash that -heralded the committal of her paramour to the water would be echoed -by her appeal for mercy--and he had resolved in that case to forgive -her the worst she dared confess to him. But now to the work. Not -entirely without spasms of fresh fear he re-entered the courtyard of -the fateful duel, and where the duellist who had fallen lay. His -body the bravo now conveyed down the steps to the landing stage in -front of the main building. It did not fail to occur to the -practical mind of the Venetian as he strained under the repulsive -corpse of his quondam adversary that somewhere upon "his person (as -he thought) must lie concealed the talisman of the Seven Sigils. He -did not know that to find it he should have to search for it within -and not without. The consequence naturally was that his search was -unrewarded by any trace whatever of the coveted gem. But the more he -searched and pondered--and pondered and searched again--the more he -became convinced of the necessity for finding it, and the clearer -became to him the momentous part it had played in recent events. He -remembered now too late that while he had it in his possession his -suit with Vergilia had prospered, whereas Heaven had begun to frown -upon him as soon as he had parted with it to Magloire. He was too -shrewd a conjuror to fail to connect the one fact with the other, and -with them both the anxiety of the Mandrake to possess the talisman of -whose virtues he had obviously knowledge. Yet still it could not be -found upon his person. With a fearful oath the Venetian at length -gave up the search, and consigned the fruitless body to the -Bottomless Lake. He would find the bauble yet (he swore) by all his -left hand gods in whatsoever nook of earth it lay. And with that -very oath upon his lips he cast it off unwittingly for ever, deep -buried in the body that he spurned. Flotsam and jetsam whatsoever -touched the surface of those Stygian waves became the forfeit of the -Fiend. Such was the fate of body and gem. No more to appear in -substance in our story, the seal of the Seven Sigils shall, -nevertheless, ride through it to the end, completing the curse of the -Illyrian. The Venetian (ignorant as we have said of the loss he had -inflicted upon himself) once more re-entered the banqueting hall. -His purpose, before dealing with the question of his lady-love, was -to order up a second collation accompanied by fresh founts of wine. -This _tete-a-tete_ (as he ordained it in his mind) should obliterate -the memory of the previous banquet with its presence of an -inconvenient third. He gave his order roundly to the servants, quite -forgetting how impotent his commands. The automata remained unmoved, -save for the fancy of the bravo that they leered somewhat upon him -with an unmistakeable expression of contempt. Stung to sudden rage -he drew his keen ancestral blade, and made a lunge at the vitals of -the nearest one. In a moment he saw his mistake. The steel shivered -into a thousand fragments, and shattered in its flight all the -mirrors of the room. The hilt alone remained in his hand, which was -jarred through and through by the shock. But the mental effect was -even worse. For the first time a sense of impending Nemesis began to -steal upon him. This unique companion of all his vicissitudes had -been beloved of his inmost soul. From his jeopardous early days up -he had been accustomed never to sleep without it, until it had become -almost necessary to his slumbers that he should clap it to his -breast. Slowly he recovered, and even comforted himself. What could -his ancient hanger on avail him in his imprisonment on that island of -enchantment? And had he not at hand metal far more -attractive--damaskeened with gold--and suppler than Damascus steel? -He gathered together lingeringly the shards of his faithful -bedfellow, that he might cast those also into that Bottomless Lake -that had just received their latest victim. But when he had them all -embraced together in his arms, and had thrown aside the portal that -he might descend the steps to the landing stage--he was blasted with -a shock not so easy to rebound from as this matter of a broken -weapon--there existed no longer a landing stage at all! Where it -formerly stood the remorseless tide of the Bottomless Lake now swept -the foot of the steps! The bravo reeled. For a moment the air was -thick with curses loud and deep upon the day when the Seven Sigils -had first flashed its baleful light athwart his path. He now saw the -full significance of the fact that Magloire alone could shift the -castle's site, and vivify its phlegmatic flunkeydom. The castle -having been created by Magloire, for him alone existed. The handing -over of his body to Beelzebub, of which the bravo himself had been -the unthinking agent, had finally snapped the charm which held the -building in existence. It was now slowly sinking into the waters -from which it rose, and would continue to slowly sink till not a -stone of it was visible above the surface of the darkling deep. -Tosca reeled at this slap in the face that his fortune dealt him. He -never knew how he found himself once more within the central court, a -beaker in his hand, filling it to the brim with a vintage of the -fountains of which we made mention before. He raised the vessel to -his lips. The next moment it fell from his palsied hand and dashed -into a thousand pieces. The fluid he had tried to drink slobbered -over his knees as he rolled ignominiously upon the tesselated -pavement. It was no longer wine that the fountain had yielded, but -the fetid water of the Bottomless Lake! And this also resulted from -the breaking of the charm by burial of the body of Magloire. The -curse of the Illyrian was closing in upon its victim. The fate of -the Venetian was written large upon his forehead. Abrupt Despair -gripped upon his heart-strings. Yet still the honour of the bout -remained with Tosca. For he remembered in his extremity that the -bundle on the couch with all its possibilities was his. In despite -of all that Doom had done he still remained the owner of a wallet -that beggared Forturiatus. He sprang to his feet like an Antæus, all -the tenser for his momentary lapse to earth. He stretched out his -arms towards the Bottomless Lake, and roared in tones of thunder:-- - -"Hell from beneath is moved for me to meet me at my coming! Now runs -my sand apace, and I am ripe for my enrolment in the legions that -eternally curse God and do not die! Yet still the victory of -victories is mine, and eyeless Death shall not outstare me from it! -Is it for this you work (you who sit in the High Places of the Pit), -that I should flaunt in your faces the most fragrant hour of Life? -Oh, how you have wrought your work awry! And you--you myriad victims -of the dagger or the bowl that I have ushered unannealed to the -account--I invite you every one to my bridal! Is this then your -vengeance (oh, viperine Magloire!) that fruition should wait on my -desire? And you, Illyrian Janko, is this then your revenge that you -watch my wedding eve from the impotent other side of that great gulf -fixed between? Here, on this side, I exact value in advance for the -eternal price I pay. Here shall our ardent heat outblaze your fires, -and when your ruffian waters reach our level shall the floor above -receive us--and still the floor above--till on the roof itself at -last we still out-laugh you! Hours must elapse or ever your icy -billows reach our hearts, and wash them to the portal of Infinity! -These hours shall be mine (though all Gehenna gnash its teeth), and -our content shall give the lie to Hell." - -Firm as a rock, he strode to his bag and cast off the belt from its -mouth. A head appeared. But not a golden one. Its scanty hair was -grey. Tosca recoiled. The ground reeled beneath him. His brain was -furnace, and his blood arterial snow. With a mighty effort he -recovered himself, and leaped like a madman into the sack, rending it -seam from seam. The whole fabric parted, and disclosed, not the -nonpareil that he had placed in its safe keeping, but the withered -stubs of limbs and yellow disjected trunk of that ancient harridan of -Illyria, whom he had seen on that never to be forgotten former -occasion anatomised by the hand of Janko. And as he stared dead eyed -upon that death, he was mercifully unaware that his feet were being -swept by the inexorable waves of the advancing Bottomless Lake. - - - - -THE HAND OF GLORY. - - -PART I. - -MINE HOST OF THE FOUR CROSS ROADS. - -The year of grace 1609. Our scene, a tavern within, and yet apart -from, the bustle of a seaport town. Damned by its site upon an -ill-omened juncture of cross-roads, which, at a time when the town -had not straggled so far, had been the burial ground of suicide and -sorcerer: haunted by bones still sleepless, although centuries had -gone since their last rag of flesh reeked off into the medicinal air; -solitary in a crowd, except for such strangers as never learnt the -local traditions. For these very reasons it attracted the attention -of a class that feared men more than ghosts; and thus it came to be -whispered among the neighbours as the house of call for the wizards -of the Basque Provinces. - -Such was the situation upon which the curtain rises. Our readers may -now form a guess as to the character of the traveller that sought -admittance upon the evening in question. This traveller was -apparently alone--only apparently--for another sentient being -suddenly makes known to us his presence on the scene. The cabalistic -ring which graced the finger of our traveller shot a double-lightning -from its tenant stone as the fist of its lord beat a devil's tattoo -on the tavern door. The demon that was imprisoned within the ring -had lifted for one second his pendulous eyelids. Foreknowledge of -his approaching freedom to be wrought under that roof (as this -chronicle shall in due order tell), had touched up buried fires; but -patience born of immortality resumed its pride of place, and the -Demon dissembling again a hope too soon revealed, there died in the -instant all light from the gem, and left it fuscous as before. The -fist in knocking was naturally raised above the head of the cabalist -that wore the ring. The traveller consequently failed to perceive -the eyebeams of his familiar. Be sure if he caught sight of that -glint of evil glee he would have read in it an omen of impending -disaster to the enterprise that turned him to that tavern. The -future of cabalist and demon would then have hung upon his decision -whether to dree the weird or 'scape it. But the significants that -ruled his horoscope withheld the timely warning, and the traveller -continued his endeavours to get hearing from the all too early -retired household. Thus the moment of possible retreat passed -irrevocably by. A wicket sunk in the stubborn thickness of the door, -was thrown suddenly open. A pair of eyes appeared--luminous, -terrible. They fixed those of the cabalist unflinchingly, beams to -beams, lights to lights, and the cabalist recognised in the eyes of -his adversary the self-same, tell-tale film through which he flashed -his own. Not the film of the eagle neither, that may enable the king -of birds to peruse the noonday sun, but would impotently shrivel -before the venomous exhalations that stream from fiery pits that -blaze under fallen angels' brows, no, the eyes of the intervisible -twain were sheathed with the shard of the born exorcist--the heir of -the secrets and physical gifts of a line of wizard sires. From -behind these horny casements they had measured the frown of Satan's -self, and danced undaunted and undulled. Sparse were the mortals -whom the cabalist reckoned fellow-men; but here, at any rate, was one -of them. The cabalist waxed kindly, as he proceeded to interrogate -what he felt to be a kindred spirit. - -"Is this the hostelry of the Four Cross Roads?" - -"By some such name is it noted among the Vulgar." - -"And are you he of whom they whisper, under the name of Aquelarre?" - -"I am the master of this house." - -"You are then he to whom I am recommended by one I have good reason -to trust." - -"May I trouble you for his name?" - -"To me he is known as Lisaldo." - -"Under that name, at any rate, I do not know him; but that argues -nothing. A thousand soldiers know the lieutenant whom the lieutenant -does not know." - -"By this token you may know him, that he gave you a name of praise -and fear--that of the devil's correspondent for the viscounty of -Labourt." - -"And if it were so?" - -"Then over and above being yourself sunk from sole to crown in the -study of supernature you have traced the gigantic plan of linking -yourself together with all else that tread untrodden ways. And I saw -that the design was good--for in union there is strength--and if we -in the far New World from which I come, are to-day unthreatened by -the bigotry of the church, it would nevertheless be short sight -indeed if we played the spectator, while among you runs the writ of -cord and faggot. To-morrow, mayhap, we shall be persecuted in our -turn, and ashes the brethren that could have bettered us. For this, -then, am I travelled hither, as I may say at your bidding, since the -suggestion proceeded from one who knows you, though him you may not -know; that we may survey together the field of your danger, and in -consort draft such measure of defiance and defence as shall eat up -this persecution at the root. This evening disembarked and -understanding from that same Lisaldo, that under cover of the tavern -of the Four Cross Roads your pursue your devil's procuracy, I have -hustled hither straight to take up my quarters beneath your kindly -roof." - -"Are you then alone or do I rightly see two others that linger in -your rear among the shadows?" - -"The one of them is this Lisaldo that I speak of, to whom I owe your -name, and who has attached himself to my personal service; and in -this connexion I may mention that I shall require two communicating -bedrooms (or be it one with a dressing-room adjacent) to gratify my -long, and now invincible, vogue of keeping my servant all night -within my call. My other follower is a Creole of the family -Ataurresagasti; by trade an honest seaman, but not, I believe, too -honest to be of possible use to our cause. Told off to do us service -during the long and perilous passage he has been only too anxious to -be of comfort to us, and we are indebted to him for countless little -offices. Arrived at your wharves we could satisfy him with nothing -less than the porterage of half our effects, and since the whole were -too heavy for Lisaldo, 'twas but policy to accept his friendly offer, -rather than initiate a stranger into our destination. Accommodated -with a bed in this same house, he will be under our united -ken--should you consider him metal that may be moulded to our purpose -he need never return to his ship." - -"Nor for the matter of that in the contrary case either, since it -were unsafe for him to have even touched the skirts of our common -secret. 'Tis child's play for such as you and I to rot the thread of -life with an oblivious gruel." - -"We will confer upon that matter in the bedroom which you allot me, -while Lisaldo and the sailor are refreshing themselves below. You -are satisfied with my credentials, and will admit us without delay, -since the night is wasting shrewdly?" - -"There is one thing wanting--your name." - -"My name I have never syllabled since my birth, nor would it be -possible to deceive you with a false one, you being what you are and -I wearing this ring by whose fame you and all of life occult may know -me." - -The cabalist jerked his slender hand from out of the folds of his -cloak, where he had thrust it after the opening of the wicket. Its -crouching prisoner (wiser than before) allowed never a wink to escape -him. But that it was in sooth the very ring that contained the -familiar (renowned among the sorcerers of the whole round world) -Aquelarre well could see. An insane impulse to strike down the -insolent owner, and incontinently seize the matchless gem, contracted -every fibre of his body. Had the door not stood between them, he -would have made the rash attempt, only to remember, when too late, -that the allegiance of the Demon could never by violence transfer -from man to man. He ground the wicket into its place to hide the -distortion of his features, and busied himself with bolts and bars -that they might clatter above the gnashing of his teeth. By the time -he had undone the fastenings the impulse had passed. Recollecting -all the restrictions that fenced the ring around, he had become once -more himself. Meanwhile the nameless cabalist had summoned with a -whistle his two attendants forward. Youths of about an equal age, -the one was white as a cosset page, and the other tanned like a -galley-slave. - -The massive portal swung a-side with a suddenness that even drew a -start from the seasoned nerves of the cabalist, though it must be -evident that one who had put together such a ring must be steeped in -no ordinary course of sciences and surprises. A blaze of light shot -through the widening passage into the dark deserted street. A host -of obsequious hands stretched out of the blinding drift and relieved -the two bearers of their luggage. Before the three newcomers had -acquired the proper focus to even perceive who had thus helped them, -the helpers were out of sight. Viands and vintages which had -appeared with startling rapidity alone remained to prove to their -eyes which the travellers rubbed, the substantiality of the just -present bodies. Also the master of the house stood there, -unbonneted, and bowing his welcome. The cabalist refused to break a -fast which was integral to some experiment in hand; leaving this, -then, to the more congenial age of Lisaldo and the sailor, he -withdrew with Aquelarre to his apartments. Thus the youths so like, -and yet so unlike, at last were left alone together. - -The footfalls of the brothers of the black art had hardly died away -above stairs when the sailor turned to Lisaldo abruptly and whispered -in a tone attuned to every sweetness--; - -"Lisalda!" - -The page started as if stung to death, at thus hearing an address in -the feminine form of the name, instead of in the masculine. His face -at first blanched with sudden terror, and then flooded with rosy red. -He made a confused attempt at correction. - -"You mean Lisaldo." - -"Lisalda, and Lisalda, and Lisalda." - -The sailor persisted--this apparent error seemed to water in his -mouth--then remembering himself he became sheepish as a chidden -child, and sank presently on to his knees. The page eyed him -guiltily, then the sailor took courage in his hands and made sensible -his inmost heart. - -"I love you, Lisalda, and love has keener sight than many that call -it blind. I felt your sex from the first hour you stepped aboard. I -kindled to it with an instinct that strangled reason. It possessed -every fibre of me through all our days becalmed on Sargasso seas that -to me seemed flower shotten meads. I clenched my teeth on it our -tropic nights when hand in hand you walked my watch with me, and -learnt from me the blazonry of heaven. Months ago I should have -given throat to the heart that hungered within me. But in my surly -sailor fashion I only tightened my belt around it. I am no saint, -Lisalda, I have served apprentice to buccaneers on Carribean -seas--men that never set a hand to honest tool save when they planted -chests of gold in the earth, I have swam o' days in blood and o' -nights in wine. But the hand that scattered the brains of Don and -Dutchman was an aspen held in yours. Terror tremendously overruled -me, when I would fain have slipped the cable of my desire, and it is -a marvel to me now that I kneel at your feet, though I know full well -that my revealment is wrung from me by the parting asunder of our -ways. Here must I speak or ever after hold my peace, here you may -infuse yourself with a heart no less honest than rough, that has beat -for naught nor will beat for aught save you; or here you may rule me -unworthy of more that has already enjoyed overmuch. It bodes me ill -I fear, Lisalda, that you never read a heart so confounded with your -own; but, whatever you say will be for me the voice of oracle that is -worshipped whether good or ill." - -"The oracle is dumb to-night, Ataurresagasti, though you have taught -me that I knew your love from the first. I cannot decide at once -whether I have done you irreparable wrong, or added to your fulness -of life. To-morrow, friend (if that title does not jar upon you) -shall learn you all your heart's desire. And (whatever that morrow's -disillusion) to-night at any rate, your image will disturb my no -longer virgin sleep." - -"Your sleep, Lisalda, there's the rub that galls my jealous loin. -To-night that I have a share in you (though it be but for to-night) I -shudder at the thought of your retiring to the ante-room of the -bed-chamber of that other man. Throughout the voyage every lip -before the mast has shriven him with curses (not loud, but deep) for -the wayward winds his Jonah presence fetched athwart our course. The -bated breath of the forecastle credited him with the wearing of a -familiar spirit imprisoned in the setting of that ring upon his hand. -How did such as you come to foregather with one so unkindly, and -withal so far from this your birthplace? And what is his need of you -that one so powerful should claim you close at heel?" - -"Ataurresagasti, it were too long to tell you how I came to be -orphaned, and at buffet with the world. Too long again to recount -the chances that transferred me from here to the Indies. Enough that -I must have been in desperate straits when I donned the disguise I -still wear, and entered the vacant service of my present lord and -master. That he lived in evil odour had come to my ears, and that he -never kept his servants long, but that they either went mad or died -was more than gossip to me that first attended my master to the -funeral of my predecessor. I was situated so sorely that I would -have worn Satan's livery to earn me bed and board. Now the secret of -the wants of my master and the wastage amongst his servants is this: -his nerves are completely shattered by terrible experiments, the -nature of which I never dare to know. He sees through the veil that -round us wraps impenetrably. He is haunted day and night by hosts of -beings incorporately awful. Over these, indeed, some sway of his -extends (else were he long since torn to shreds), but only by the -continual strain of every resource of his science. The demon that is -familiar of the ring you speak of--the loathsome creepiness that -writhes within a crystal cell and impotently spits at such as dare to -see--is on the one hand the crowning glory of his labours, and the -envy of the wizard world--and on the other hand an anxious horror -that makes cheap the mere routine of Hell. Day it turns to night, -night to nightmare, and still the worst of all remains--the hour -between midnight and cockcrow when the heavenly patrols are relieving -guard and the nether gates swing open and all the rout of Hell are -free to seek their own devilish devices. Now you can guess, can you -not, Ataurresagasti, why the cabalist never remains alone in the -dark?" - -"By the God I never praised till I met you, Lisalda, this passes the -worst I had imagined. But do you still think so ill of me (after the -centuries of mingled life we have crushed into so curt an orbit), do -you still so little value my self esteem as to believe me capable -(now I know what your service is) of allowing you to continue it for -even yet one grain of the hour glass? To the devil with this enemy -and friend of his, and let the poor prisoner of the ring have his -day! I, too, am a prisoner and feel for all in bonds." - -"You are the best of men, Ataurresagasti, and fittest to be free. -But for this night at any rate (however your reasons may touch me) I -must fulfil my contract, as of use and wont. Whatever new -combination to-morrow's sun may bring, it is too late to-night, at -any rate, to find a substitute to comrade the broken slumbers of the -cabalist." - -"It is never too late, Lisalda, to crown my broad shoulders with the -lightness of a burden saved from yours. I beseech you, as a lover -whom you may yet reject, not to refuse me this (as it may be) last -sad privilege--chance itself (if all be not fated from the first) -plays patron to my innocent stratagem. The landlord of this tavern -of the Four Cross Roads (and may I die the day I see a more -ill-favoured fellow) has heard our names, it is true, but can have no -means of telling which is which. Do you call yourself the cabin-boy, -Ataurresagasti, and vouchsafe me for one brief snatch, to be bone of -the bone, and flesh of the flesh with Lisalda (or Lisaldo). The -certainty that you are bolted and barred once more in a room alone, -will bear me up through all that teems from Tophet. The cabalist is -the only eye that could detect the substitution, and he keeps (or you -would never have remained his) respectfully on his own side the -partition until morning. The dawn may see him damned, so far as his -hold on either of us is concerned, and we will set forth (together I -trust) about our own peace and pleasure." - -"As to that I can give you no promise, Ataurresagasti, save to -remember you in any case until the last sigh of life. But this, as -you say, is all the more reason why I should let you be my proxy, if -it will give you any unfeigned satisfaction. And here comes back our -host on the heels of our accord, and the curtain rises on our play." - -The sailor rose to his feet. It was as Lisalda said, for such (her -secret once revealed) we may as well henceforth style her, Aquelarre -having finished his business with the cabalist come to summon the -page to his attendance. But he first drew a bottle and three goblets -from a press and placed the latter on one of the tables. Filling -them to the overflow, he appointed one to each to drink a parting -cup. All three raised on high and touched together their goblets in -token of sentiment, somewhat hollow. Ataurresagasti had scarcely put -his lips to the liquid, when memory started armed from his brain. It -was hocussed. There was no doubt about it. He had been drugged once -before by the pressgang of the pirate, with whom he had served out -his buccaneer articles. Once bit, twice shy. He replaced the goblet -on the table, the other two mechanically followed his example. The -good fellowship that shone upon his weather-beaten face was in -inverse ratio to the ready subtlety that scanned every loophole from -within; and presently he swooped down with unerring instinct upon the -only possible coign of vantage. The meaning eyes of the landlord had -turned upon the innocent eyes of Lisalda. He was staring out her -inmost soul. Taking advantage of this absorption of the two, -Ataurresagasti reversed the positions of the drugged goblet and that -of the landlord. So smartly did he execute this manoeuvre that it -would most certainly have escaped the notice of an ordinary observer. -But had it escaped the lynx-eyed Aquelarre? The sailor breathed more -freely when, upon all three once more raising their goblets, the -whole of the hocussed stuff disappeared without question down the -landlord's corded throat. All having drained to the dregs, Aquelarre -turned and addressed himself to the quondam buccaneer:-- - -"May I be burnt by the Parliament of Bordeaux if my customer upstairs -let me into the secret as to which of you two he mastered. Now I'll -be bound 'tis you, my jolly Roger (and not this queasy cabin-boy) -that has chaffered for gold his rest o' nights to the wandering Jew -up aloft there." - -"Your guess does honour to your penetration, Monsieur Four Cross -Roads, though you did overshoot your bolt a bit when you called me -Jolly Roger." - -"Ho, ho, Monsieur Lisaldo, so you turned your skin then with your -livery, and no longer acknowledge the Black Flag?" - -"How do you know that I had ever anything in common with the Black -Flag?" - -"Easy as lying, Monsieur Lisaldo, easy as lying. Your face, my -friend (and for the matter of that, everyone's face), is as an open -book whereon I read. Nay, your hand alone, my friend, shouts your -past, your present, and your future to such as I that have ears to -hear." - -"Of the past and of the present I am already sick at heart, but I am -open to receive any index (what it may befit me to know) as to how -the future shall shape itself before me." - -"A good wish upon you! I am permitted to tell you, at any rate, that -you chose your vocation under a healthy star, for you were never born -to be drowned!" - -The sailor hardly knew whether to be amused or annoyed at the tone -adopted by the chiromantist. He continued to balance the matter in a -confused sort of way, after he had taken shy leave of Lisalda. -Arrived in his room, he barred and bolted the outer door with a -thoroughness born of much adventuring. He loosened a hanger that he -wore at his side, and tied it by its belt as with a sword knot to his -wrist. That had been the _toilet de rigueur_ for the night among his -former messmates, the pirates of the Antilles. In this array then, -supine upon the bed, he confidently awaited developments. To keep -himself awake he continued to agitate the mysterious character and -conduct of Aquelarre. The events of the evening, since the -ill-assorted three had left their ship together, all forced -themselves into the question. This opened the road to a review of -the whole voyage and the change it had wrought in his life. And that -life--what turn would it take on the morrow? What result from the -heart-probing of Lisalda? The singularity was that the more -plausible he painted the future, the darker shaded the present, and -the past, of his sweetheart. He felt it was an insult to her to -question her about that past of which she had denied the recital. -And yet he longed--and how he longed--to rise to her from his very -bed to question her. And her relations with the cabalist--how long -before the voyage she had served him Ataurresagasti never knew, but -apart from that it was gall and wormwood to him that she should even -have shared his state room at sea. The fancy forced itself upon the -sailor that the cabalist--who saw through all things--had seen -through her disguise. The more he turned over the reasons assigned -by Lisalda for the cabalist never sleeping alone, the more unlikely -it appeared that a prince of all the Magi, and tamer of the Demon of -the Ring, should show a side so puny. In spite of his better self -there forced itself upon him another, and quite opposite, picture of -the nights that these two had passed together. Yet why (and here for -a moment he threw off that thraldom) yet why had Lisalda, this -particular evening, apparently willingly exchanged with him the -place, which by that hateful theory she should have found a -pleasance. Again wider issues loomed in every direction, until he -returned again bewildered to what seemed willy-nilly his keynote for -that night. He tossed from side to side. Picture after picture -stood out before his mind's eye, until he even reached the length of -fancying Lisalda at that moment on the other side with the cabalist, -while Ataurresagasti on his side lay befooled. That she could not -have got there by any human means was a difficulty which did not even -occur to him for solution. The sweat stood out thick upon his brow. -He positively saw Lisalda twined about the body of his rival. His -hair (he felt it) was turning grey. He saw the cabalist (a wonder of -satiety) remove that ring of rings from his finger and fit it -jestingly upon hers. At this precise juncture of his nightmare, -Ataurresagasti suddenly started broad awake to his feet. Dream or no -dream--whatever the rest of the night had been--there was certainly -now something awful in progress in the adjoining apartment. -Something (which he instinctively felt was not human) was struggling -for life and death with the luckless cabalist. The hair of the -sailor stood on end. There was no mistake about it this time. Time -had been when he fancied he felt fear, but he knew now that only at -this moment had he learnt its kind. All at once a most terrible -shriek rang out through every corner of the house. Ataurresagasti -dashed the partition into splinters with a blow that would have -shattered steel. He leaped into the room just in time to arrest the -escape of some huge incredible beast, that stood sullenly at bay, in -the strangling streak of dawn. The mystery was solved. Down came -the hanger with an impulse so irresistible that it sheared off a -whole limb of the accursed one. The point of the hanger actually -penetrated so deeply into the flooring that it was a moment of -anxiety (during which his quarry, although maimed, might have bested -him) before Ataurresagasti succeeded in getting it out again. But -when he had recovered it, the animal had disappeared, impossible to -find out how or where. This alone he saw in the imperfect light (or -rather in the imperfect darkness) that the whole room was scattered -from end to end with blood and bones and brain, which was all that -was left of that most unhappy man. - -A sickness came upon the victor. He mopped his dripping forehead. -He turned to leave the presence-chamber of death and doom; he picked -up as he did so the severed limb, a casual glance at which confirmed -his general impression that the gaunt game had been but a -particularly large and loathly wolf, such as occasionally penetrated -the precincts of towns in the neighbourhood of the Pyrenees. -Ataurresagasti walked down straight into the reception room of the -night before. For the moment the possible alarm of Lisalda at that -terrible shriek of dissolution of the cabalist had not even entered -his mind. His object was to summon Aquelarre. To his surprise he -found him crouching there already white as a ghost apparently with -fear. He sprang to his feet at sight of the sailor, and barely -suppressed a cry. This time it was the sailor that read, and the -landlord's face that provided reading matter. Amazement was writ -legibly in every line of it, and his eyes were opened to the size of -saucers. And Ataurresagasti asked himself, without finding answer, -what connexion all this had with the attempt to drug him, which he -had discovered the preceding evening. The two men stared at one -another for some minutes without finding speech, of which indeed the -innkeeper, at any rate, seemed incapable. The word when taken up was -taken up by Ataurresagasti. - -"My pharmaceutical friend seems somewhat upset by my early appearance -after draining the drowsy cup which he compounded for me overnight." - -"And it is not natural that a landlord should be fearful for his -slate when he sees an uncancelled score slinking downstairs to the -outlet at such unearthly hour?" - -"Alas, for your slate (if that touch you so nearly) a fiscal fleeter -than yourself has attended here this night, and collected your other -lodger's scot." - -"What means this matin pleasantry? How goes it with the cabalist?" - -"Well, I hope, although I dare not think it well. His reckoning, I -fear, will overreach him." - -"Is he dead?" - -"As much of him as can still be traced is unquestionably dead." - -"That then undid my beauty sleep. I thought I dreamed an unforgetful -shriek." - -"'Twas murder mouthed it. God rest his soul, that died in such a -case as he was overtaken in." - -"He died, you say, by the hand of God?" - -"I say by the limb of a wolf, rather, which I arriving overdue did -incontinently lop from its trunk. The felon then evading by exit to -me invisible, I descended hither by what impulse I scarcely know save -that my intentions tended justiceward." - -"You meant perchance to summon authority to certify to cause of -death. But this must be looked to by myself before anyone else is -admitted. What became of the piece of conviction?" - -"Behold it!" - -"Out upon you! What providence have we here! O perjured windpipe -you are most miraculously self-accused by this mischosen joint! Limb -of a wolf did you dare to say? Nay, behold assassin, to your -confusion, 'tis the disjointed member of your master that you have -brought away with you from the presence chamber." - -A cry of horror burst from the palsied lips of the sailor. It was as -Aquelarre stated. Not the hacked-off trophy of his prowess had he -carried in his hand; by some inexplicable equivocation it was the -sundered fist of the cabalist still bearing the ring of the familiar. -Chilled to the marrow by the ghastly riddle Ataurresagasti stammered -some broken of explanation; but the landlord cut him short. - -"Hold your peace, rogue (and fool as much as rogue), you have miscast -your account if you think to cope in a game of brag with a man of the -world like Aquelarre. You do but squander breath which you may want -ere long when the hangman ties your cravat. 'Twas then the bauble on -yonder finger whose fatuous fire lured you into slippery sin--I -misfancied even yesternight your gallows visage, that will ere long -grin through a halter: 'twill clog my conscience till the day I die -that I whispered no warning to that gentle sage. But by these five -bones! I will lay no second blood to my debit. Rather than see a -gallant (if misguided) boy turn rope-dancer I will hold the nose of -correction from your trail. But think not that I shall also permit -you to lay that flattering booty to your soul--you must make over to -me the gaud that cozened you to crime. Indeed, if I left it in your -possession, you would never dare to look a clothes-line in the face. -Whereas, never doubt but that I shall make the best possible use of -it, such as I have no time to bethink myself of at the moment. -Masses (perchance) for the soul of its late owner done to death -unofficed by Holy Church. Whatever he would have liked to do for me -had I been slain, and he Aquelarre. Oh, I can promise you a binding -promise of that. But we palter out the time of opportunity. Your -safety lies in instant flight. The Bidassoa lies within easy avail. -Take the bridge that throws over it at Behobia. Once on the Spanish -side of the river, the hemp is not sown that shall throttle you. For -this crime at any rate, I remaining shall run the risk, if risk there -be to run. Quick then with the gewgaw--'tis a dull stone at -best--why do you hesitate when the path divides before you? One way -leads to length of life, the other is a short cut to cordage." - -"You son of a burnt witch! The broom-ridden hag that taught you to -spell out the Devil's books, and to find fortunes in hands--past, -present, and future forsooth--she taught you all askew. I have done -no such deeds as your second sight credits me with. The matter -squared precisely with my account of it, but I am fortune's fool, and -in change for my own handiwork I took hold (I know not how) of this -Hand of Glory. In view of the public opinion that whispers you a -wizard I should not exclaim over and above if it turned out to be -your own hocus pocus that brought about the barter. Nay, it is -possible and even probable that the wolf was but a go-between, guided -by a hand not a hundred miles from here (and I spit upon mine that -grasped it in friendship yester-even) but you are seemingly only an -understrapper in the Devil's workshop since you cut only yourself -with your unnecessary tool. We did not do these things by deputy -upon the Spanish Main. Viewed in the light of your press for the -possession of the ring (of whose virtues you apparently believe me to -be ignorant) the riddle of last night's sleeping draught need not -long remain unread. That after stripping you to this nakedness I -should clothe you with the purple and fine linen of the ring would be -too much for any but yourself to expect." - -"Cry you mercy! You have signed your own death-warrant. What you -cast in my teeth is guess-work. But you are rivetted hand and foot -to the matter of fact. Pass me the ring and you go free--refuse, and -you shall play the pendulum." - -"And would you play the gatesman? Odds my life, and do you think I -dare not go free until Aquelarre lifts the latch? Deputy devil, look -to yourself!" - -Aquelarre placed his back to the door. The buccaneer swooped down -upon him with a yell that split the throat of echo. With all his -force he struck him in the face with the abominable relic of the -cabalist. The effect was electric. Aquelarre threw up his arms, and -fell like a log dumb and blind to the ground. The buccaneer wrenched -open the door and disappeared down one of the Four Cross Roads. - - -(_End of Part I._) - - - - -PART II. - -THE DEVIL'S ATTORNEY. - -The dial had sweat twelve hours of day ere we resume the broken -thread of our story. At the sign of the Four Cross Roads (whether -accident or design) matters stood in some such case as when we opened -our first part. The cabalist having paid the debt which he had owed -so lightly and so long, the ring now graced the little finger of the -sailor. The inscrutable door strained under his muscular fist, that -this time summoned passage. It opened, and again, with startling -abruptness, Ataurresagasti crossed the fateful lintel. The door -(which apparently worked of itself) flew back with a horrid, ominous -jar. Aquelarre stood with his arms crossed in an attitude of -expectation. Sailor and sorcerer took stock of one another from head -to foot. But when the latter caught sight of the ring, he burst (as -if inspired) into speech. - -"So you have returned upon your tracks; I foresaw you would, and have -awaited you. You remembered, when in safety yonder side of the -frontier, that you had left a jewel in danger behind, outweighing -that you wear. Desire came uppermost in the throw with fear." - -"You man of second sight, is she still here,--since you know it is a -she I seek?" - -"You set me a painful task (my friend and admirer), if you are so -ignorant of all that has happened during your somewhat protracted -constitutional as to require the rigmarole of it from me. However, -since you already doubtless know (and at any rate I care not to -conceal from you) that I am the official representative in Labourt of -a certain proud and damned Prince, you doubtless look to me as to the -fountain head. So be it then, and to the task. But you did a black -day's work as ever you did under the Black Flag, when you saved your -hide this morning at the expense of your mistress's skin. Nay, hear -me out. I know that you were shaken out of all self. But you had -scarcely kicked my dust from off your feet, when the officers of -justice, whom you so churlishly evaded had plucked me by the beard. -The swan song of him from whom you filched that ring had pierced the -universal ear. That murder had deflowered the bed you wot of, the -constables had no room to doubt. Indeed, your Carib fashion of -piece-mealing a victim put them to the unsavoury task of making out -an inventory of the deceased. My own good fame being above -suspicion, it fell from the first upon Lisalda, unearthed and laid -willy nilly by the heels. Her sex (another item of distrust about -her) was of necessity discovered in the Torture Chamber." - -"The Torture Chamber!" - -"Aye, the Torture Chamber. You saved your four limbs. She will -never use again one of her arms, that was crippled in their grips of -hellish engines. The surgeon (save the mark) pronounced that she -could bear no more to-day. To-morrow they practice upon the other -arm. And after that there will be enough of her sweet body to feed -their tools a week." - -"But she is innocent--my God, how innocent--and I, who begin almost -to believe that I am guilty, will surrender at once in her place." - -"Small good (my untutored friend), save the melancholy satisfaction -of pressing the same rack with her. The Parliament of Bordeaux never -let slip a single victim, nor is it any longer merely the indictment -for the murder of the Cabalist that piles the faggots for her. You -are a babe and suckling in these horrors. I am prematurely grey with -them. Had you but seen (as I have) the mother burnt with the child -at her breast--the loving pair chilled at the same stake--the -friendship of years dissolved in smoke, but enough--to get out of the -Torture Chamber (as you should readily guess) the corpus vile reduced -to a crushed craze will sign any depositions that may be held out as -a bait. The consequence is that your girl has already avowed her -identity with a desperate, long-sought-for witch and sacristan to one -of the most noted of our Black Priests. So much for the wringing of -one set of nerves. To what may they not confess her before they have -writhed her into a bag of quivering pulp?" - -"Enough, enough, enough, can nothing be done to save her? O, you -whom all this persecution has left upright (and a refuge as men -whisper to the threatened) from whatever source your commission -comes, I wrap about me the hem of your mantle. Be your aid of God, -or Devil, I invoke it!" - -"Do you know what you ask? The Indians of Darian are charity, -compared to me and mine. Be my aid of God, or Devil do you say? You -shall rest in no doubt upon that head. The bare mention of the name -of God is a source of danger among us of the opposition, save when we -take it (for our own purposes) in vain. And of the opposition I have -been, am, and shall be. That with which surmise is rife be here with -certainty known to you! You treat with one having authority deputed -from the Most High, the Prince of this World and of Hell." - -"I have never shrunk from any, save one woman, and I do not shrink -from you. In all this storm you are my sheet anchor." - -"Then in my character of the Devil's proxy I offer you your heart's -ease in tender for your soul!" - -"In the event of my agreeing to your proposition how do you set to -work to save her?" - -"By the substitution for her of a golem, a device that I learnt from -a Rabbi of Provence that was my teacher in the art of cabala. It is -a doll of wax (or indeed of any substance), no matter how uncouth, -and upon the forehead of which in angelical letters one writes a -chosen name--in your case the name Lisalda--I shall then conjure for -you in a strong circle. You will clinch the bargain with my master -in person by striking hands with him. And his claw will leave you -for your lifetime branded with his private brand. This done he will -breathe upon the golem. Obedient to the breath of life it starts (to -all outward appearance) into a perfect double of the person in whose -name it may have been inscribed. In your case the name Lisalda. Nor -will you yourself be able to tell whether Lisalda or the devil's coin -stands before you. You will forgive my suggesting that in some -respects you might be better off with the ideal than the real, since -it starts in life (like a child) with a clear slate and you may teach -it in what sort you will." - -"How now! Do you libel my love?" - -"I speak but as a man of the world and to some extent of the next -world also. However, to resume our ways and means. My Prince having -bestowed upon the golem such life as it is only his and God's to -give, I then smuggle the innocent know-nothing into the prison of -your Lisalda and carry off Lisalda in exchange. Then to horse and -hey for love and leisure--on the further side of the Bidassoa; but -the cheat will never be discovered, and in fine and in finish the -golem will run to ash like so many of her betters." - -"Is there no other way?" - -"There is no other way. Bethink yourself. The offer is there to -take it or leave it. Shake hands with my Master or shake your fist -at him. Be one of us or one of her executioners." - -"I cannot boggle long at that. Death of my soul! Have with you then -Aquelarre and let fruition crowd the heels of haste." - -"There is yet one thing that you may boggle at. You have ratified -the bargain with my Master but not the fee of my procuracy. You -cannot do anything without me and I cannot do anything without that -Ring which you wear upon your finger as my handsel." - -"Your fee is a fleabite to your Master's. The ring I wear is yours -but not as earnest money. I pass it over to you only after service -rendered. And now lead on to this golem you speak of." - -"Be it as you say. The preliminaries being all settled between the -high contracting parties, I usher you to the actual presence of my -principal." - -As he thus concluded the negotiation a covetous light (like to -nothing in heaven or earth) shot through the lashes of the devil's -attorney. He stood at last upon the brink of attainment of that Ring -so thirstily craved. With an imperious gesture he summoned the -sailor to follow him and turned off behind the staircase. Directly -the sorcerer's back was turned Ataurresagasti could not forbear a -broad grin. He had outwitted (at any rate he thought so) both the -infernal furious spirit and his attorney. And first as to the -latter. The fact was that the only ring worn by the sailor himself, -and pledged to Aquelarre by the letter of the bond, was a tawdry hoop -of silver. The Ring that contained the familiar had never left the -dead man's hand. How then had the inn-keeper imagined otherwise? -Simply because the sailor, with a view to better protection, had -drawn up his right arm within his sleeve and held the Hand of Glory -by the wrist in such a position as to appear his own. The Ring which -thus appeared to adorn the sailor's little finger was in reality -still upon that of its architect. And, therefore, it was still -unpawned to Aquelarre. But this was not the only or even the first -fruits of the trick which Ataurresagasti (or his good angel) had set -in motion. As he gathered from the sorcerer that the devil would -imprint his private mark upon him by means of a grip of hands, -Ataurresagasti (or, again, his good angel) jumped at once to the -obvious deduction that by going through with the same sleight of -hand, Beelzebub would come claw to claw with only the dead Cabalist -and earn no soul but his. - -Earn no Soul but his, which was undoubtedly already long-earned and -already in heats of hell. Thus, by a single piece of hugger-mugger, -the buccaneer hoped to go free with his sweetheart and do no harm to -anyone. Or, at any rate, to anyone that stood within the reach of -harm, the only sufferers being the devil and his lost. How the -whirligig of time brought round its revenges the sequel of this story -will show. Now that the reader is conversant with what was passing -through the mind of the sailor we must return to where we left him at -the back of the staircase. Aquelarre, stooping down, by some device -which the sailor did not fathom, raised one of the stone slabs of the -flooring from its place. This impromptu trap-door disclosed a flight -of steps that fell down into absolute darkness. A motion from the -landlord and Ataurresagasti fearlessly stalked down them to some -distance, where he stopped until he had seen his confederate also -enter. Aquelarre drew down the trap-door after him. This last -action was fatal, of course, to such light as had previously washed -the upper part of the stairs. All was now equal night. Yet the -buccaneer continued his descent. The steps seemed endless. At last -he stopped. He listened. To his surprise and horror no footfall -sounded above. What had become of Aquelarre? The sailor suspected -some deception put upon him. He retraced his steps as quickly as was -possible under the difficult circumstances of the ascent. That he -reached the top was made apparent to him by the crash of his head -against the stone. He reeled and all but fell. What had become of -Aquelarre? Recovering himself he tried with all his might to obtain -egress but not unnaturally without avail. He mopped his brow and -tried to think. Escape being impossible in this direction he decided -to recommence the descent; come what might he could be no worse off -than where he was even if he went down, down, down to the earth's -centre. He tried to persuade himself that worse things happen at -sea, but his heart of hearts nailed the lie. Down, down, down! He -counted (as he thought) a thousand steps but not without dizzy -doubts. And then he lost all count--all doubt--all but damned -certainty. He had never been sick at sea but now--and then suddenly -he staggered against some obstacle. It yielded. It was a door. -Firelight danced in his eyes. He rolled into a corner and stood up -against a wall. He was in an underground chamber and before him was -Aquelarre. How the devil's advocate had got there before him who can -tell? Doubtless in some devil's way. Aquelarre made no remark upon -the sailor's entrance nor ceased from his work of drawing (on the -ground) circle within circle, distant from one another about a -hand's-breadth. The sailor rubbed his eyes and looked about him. -The space (at one end of the vault) reserved for the circles was -scrupulously clean, as well it might be, since one speck of pollution -would have nullified their every virtue. The rest of the subterrane -was a hotchpotch of horrors--the disjecta membra of a magical -laboratory scattered broadcast over every inch of the floor. Here -were receptacles of unsightly shapes, crucible and cucurbit, alembic -and aludel. Here were the spoils of charnel-house and churchyard, -ear and eye, excrement and entrail. Here squat phials bore charges -of price, poison and philtre, lac virginis, and elixir vitae. In one -corner gibbered a gigantic skeleton. In another lay a Jacob's Staff -and a Pentacle of Solomon. In a third heaped up musty vellums, -presumably occult; and of these last Ataurresagasti picked up one, -and was about to open it at random, when Aquelarre turned suddenly -white, and fetched a roar so sudden that the startled sailor dropped -it as if it burnt him. The magician (who had just finished -inscribing his series of circles) came forward with a brow of night. -His fist was clenched as if to strike. But after glaring some -moments at the buccaneer, he twisted his nails out of his palm again -where they left four bleeding scars. He calmed down still farther -before he could speak. - -"Madman let this teach you never more to tamper with such wild-fire -as a magic book. There are spells on every page of that volume which -(had you exposed even one of them to the air) would have dissolved us -both into death and hell. It is easy to see that this is your maiden -bout as sidesman to an exorcist. Were you an ordinary neophyte, even -your failure to play Paul Pry, would have quenched you the light of -day. But take heart of grace and fear nothing mortal, for on your -life great issues hang. But lest you should make another slip (and -perchance to perdition) mark well what I am now about to teach you. -And firstly to instal our golem--yonder it hangs in the fourth corner -of the vault, suspended and swinging above our heads. You ask me why -it so suspends and swings. I will tell you. Look at its forehead -and you will see a name, which if you could read our angelical -letters you would find to be the name of De Lancre, of the Parliament -of Bordeaux. De Lancre, that is the torturer of our wizardry and of -your bride, and the touchwood of a thousand fires that depopulate -Labourt. But his turn shall yet be served. By the sympathy which I -have established between this mannikin and him (by only the sealing -of it with his name) I have got into my hands more power over his -body than your untortured fancy would conceive. I could even bring -his life to a close at this very second, by piercing his heart with a -pin. But at the moment I am content by this swinging between earth -and sky (as they say swings Mahomet's coffin) to afflict him with -horrors, to which death were meat and drink,--to afflict him with -dizziness, vertigo, and whirlpool, with falling sickness and -ceaseless belching, yea, to the innermost membrane of his soul. But -that your need of this lay figure is greater than his, he should -sleep never a wink to-night. Nay, not all the drowsy drinks of the -Herbal should gum his eyelids up. But behold I release him and lean -him against this wall, and erase his name with my finger. 'Tis done, -and De Lancre at the very instant far away is restored to perfect -health. Some charlatan will doubtless get the credit for a cure." - -He broke into a peal of horrible laughter. But the sailor scarcely -heeded. He was gazing at the figure which he understood was to be -transformed with a blasphemous breath into an exact simulacrum of his -betrothed. A greater difference than at present existed between the -two could scarcely be imagined. Lisalda was--well we will not -attempt the impossible task of reproducing a lover's raptures. The -golem was a rude lump of modelling wax with five projections, -occupying respectively such parts of the main body as suggested that -they were meant for its legs, arms, and head. The last distinguished -itself from the four limbs by several additional clues to its -identity. It had eyes indicated by a couple of stones. It had ears, -or, at any rate, handles, on either side, and a third in front for -nose. It had a mouth which left even more to the imagination, since -its hieroglyphic was a herring bone. Lastly, it was thatched -(somewhat scantily, it must be confessed), with what appeared to be -the bristles of a hog. With a view no doubt to decency, the devil's -attorney tied a rag about its middle. Another about its right arm he -explained as representing the prison bandages which swathed the -tortured limb of the real Lisalda. Finally, he inscribed upon its -brow a name, and declared it to be complete. And now for a lesson in -ceremonial magic. Seven circles Aquelarre had compassed, waxing -smaller and smaller within each other. In the innermost (which is -where the two daring exorcists should stand) the devil's advocate -placed a pan of coals, the same that had hitherto only given light to -the room, but of which the real use and purpose was suffumigation. -This suffumigation was that part of the work which was to fall to the -lot of Ataurresagasti. For this the landlord placed beside the pan -various packets of perfumes each numbered in the order with which -they were to feed the flames. And woe unto the exorcists, if in the -flurry of even one second Ataurresagasti changed the order of -succession. They had better have never been born! And now Aquelarre -girt him with his magic sword and hung a pentacle about his neck. -The time had come to pass the series of circles. - -"Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou -standest is holy ground." - -Ataurresagasti assimilated himself to the guise of his companion. He -entered the inmost circle. Aquelarre took once more his crayon and -inserted within each circle (one and all being yet in blank) a symbol -illegible to the sailor, but which the devil's advocate translated as -he proceeded somewhat as follows: - -"The name of the hour wherein you do the work, the name of the angel -of the hour, the seal of the angel of the hour, the name of the angel -that rules the day in which you work and the names of his ministers, -the name of the present time, the names of the spirits ruling in that -part of time and their presidents, the name of the head of the sign -ruling in that time." - -This done all appeared to be in order and the exorcism forthwith -commenced. Aquelarre commanded the sailor to cast the first packet -upon the flames ("and unwrap it not lest it skin thy hand"); the -which being done the former brightness of the light burns directly a -hideous red of leaping blood and every object in the room tinges to -match. The magician draws his sword and makes passes with it in his -right hand. He places his left upon the pentacle on his breast and -commences in the following strain:-- - -"In the name of the holy, blessed, and glorious Trinity proceed we to -work in these mysteries to accomplish that which we desire. We, -therefore, in the name aforesaid, consecrate this piece of ground for -our defence, so that no spirit whatsoever shall be able to break -these boundaries, neither be able to cause injury, nor detriment to -either of us here assembled. But that he may be compelled to stand -before this circle and answer truly on demand, so far as it pleaseth -Him who liveth for ever and ever, and who says I am Alpha and Omega, -the beginning and the end, which is and which was, and which is to -come--the Almighty. I am the first and the last who am living and -was dead, and, behold! I live for ever and ever, and I have the keys -of death and hell. Bless, O Lord, this creature of earth wherein we -stand. Confirm, O God, thy strength in us so that neither the -adversary nor any evil thing may cause us to fail." - -The chant of the magus grows shriller and shriller, till it thins -into a final continuous shriek. And there mingles with it thunder, -and the re-echoed echo of shriek and thunder, to the splitting of ear -and brain. And the earth rocks until there remains no longer floor -nor roof, but sometimes one was uppermost and sometimes the other, -and only the rapidity of the motion makes it possible to keep place -in the circle. Thus, alternately, the venturous pair stood erect or -head downwards. In this part of the ordeal, however, the sailor's -professional habit stands his friend in need; but his teeth were -twisted out of rank by clenching, to avoid a cry. The fire (now -yellow) burns foul in the nose and hangs upon the hair in folds of -smoke. Ceaseless lightnings lash the streaming eye. Clothed as it -were, in those folds of smoke, there gradually appears to incorporate -itself a large, full, and gross body--sanguine and gross--in a gold -colour, with the tincture of blood; its motion is like the lightnings -of heaven; the sign of its becoming visible is that it moves the -person to sweat that calls it; the sorcerer becomes mute before the -majesty of that presence and the thunder is hushed in its breath. -There creeps a claw from out the draping clouds and steals towards -the right hand of the sailor--say the right hand of the Cabalist -rather, for it is that which the sailor clasps fearlessly to the arch -fiend's itching grip. A second's compress--a grit of bone against -bone--a hiss, as of a branding iron, and the talon is withdrawn. The -sailor gazes appalled for a moment at the blackening, indelible sign -manual, now seared upon the palm of the Cabalist. His heart of -hearts sings a pean of victory over a lie palmed off upon even the -Father of lies. The blowing of the Fiend now falls upon the golem -and a gradual inflation swells out that pitiful suggestion into full -and female form. Eyes like orbs of night light the vault and outburn -the yellow jealousy of the brazier. Ears like seashells, and teeth -like pearls of the sea, hair that paragons Godiva. O God, and is -this but a counterfeit that can so kindle our sailor's senses? But -he is recalled to gruff reality by the sight of her prison dress and -bleeding bandaged arm. He is about to step out of the circle when a -buffet from his companion fells him like an ox to the ground, -scattering splashes of yellow flame in his fall. The magician -indicates by signs rather than words, that the devil called up has -yet to be laid before either of the callers can venture forth with -safety. And then Aquelarre proceeds with full strength of lung (lest -haply further risk betide) to recite the accepted form of dismissal. - -"Go in peace unto your place. Peace be between us and you. Be you -ready to come when you are called." - -Ataurresagasti awakened to his sense of duty, sacrifices yet another -packet of incense. Blue of heaven burns the flame, and sweet the -savour that (after a struggle) overpowers its predecessor. The -Prince of fallen pride dissolves into fulgurant reek. Earth recovers -its footing. The fire at last resumes its work-a-day tone. Nothing -but a grateful suspicion of the incense still about the convalescent -air remains to betray what manner of work has been done. And now -with assurance the exorcists may leave their circle. Aquelarre -cannot forbear to bring home to his sidesman the gravity of that -false step he nearly made. - -"Should your stars ever fate you again to dally with infernal fire, -be never tempted to leave your circle until the spirit is dismissed; -nay, even when the spirit refuses to appear at your call you must -still formally dismiss him according to the rules of art, lest haply -he be actually present (though to you invisible) with intent to pluck -your soul." - -"'Tis a lesson I shall never need to learn again." - -"But now to the next step in our progress. From the opposite end of -this vault to that by which you entered there is a subway to the -condemned cell. Many a time and oft has this been useful to me -before, for you need not plume yourself the first that has -self-sacrificed upon the altar of his love. Parent or child--lover -or spouse--have employed me as middleman over and over again. My -memory teems triumphant with case after case where the burners, -unknowingly have burnt but the shadow of a witch. And so shall it be -again. I take the golem with me and rejoin you with your prize." - -He touched a spring in the opposite wall which threw open the -indicated door. The bottom of a flight of steps appeared, the -pendant of that which the sailor had descended. Aquelarre took the -apparently bewildered golem by the hand and with her disappeared. -The door closed with a vicious snap. The sailor was left alone in a -chamber hermetically sealed and Heaven knows how far beneath the -foundation of the tavern of the Four Cross Roads. There were none of -mortal kind around save bones of unshriven suicides who dreamed of -judgment and woke up shrieking that they made the blood of youth run -cold to hear them. These were his brothers in exile. He was fain to -shout aloud, that corner to re-echoing corner of the vault might make -him colloquy. But was this jangled terror his that they groaned into -his ears? Was this the note to which the lung of storm gave -precedence in happier days upon the sea? How long this weird -conversation lasted the sailor never knew. At length his straining -ear caught the footfall which he had dared so much to hear again. To -snatch Lisalda into his arms as she entered, to feel that she yielded -to his embrace was breath and blood to our hero. But the devil's -attorney touched him on the shoulder. He pointed sternly to the -other door that led again to the inn. In Indian file (there was room -for but one on a step) all three commenced the ascent. How quickly -it sped compared with that well remembered descent. But the sailor -found time to hide in his waistband the Cabalist's branded hand. -When they reached their wonted level Aquelarre closed the trap, and -throwing open the door of the street disclosed (he did not do things -by halves) a fully caparisoned horse waiting outside. His whole face -brightened into a smile of supreme content with himself and (for the -nonce) all the world. His work was done. He held out his hand for -the payment. The sailor did not smile. He took the silver ring -ostentatiously from his little finger and placed it upon that of the -devil's attorney. The face of Aquelarre underwent a very sudden -change. - -"Gates and gulfs of Hell! Do you realise with whom it is you jest?" - -"Jest do you say? It is sober, serious, earnest." - -"What the devil's name! You pledged me the ring you wear on your -finger." - -"I pledged it to you and I have passed it you--the only ring I ever -wore--but if you refer to the Ring of the demon, that has never left -the dead man's hand since for its sake you left him dead." - -Before Aquelarre could recover from his stupefaction at this -thunderbolt, Ataurresagasti swept Lisalda into the crupper and sprang -to the saddle in front of her. And then loose rein and bloody heel, -they dashed down one of the cross roads from which the tavern derived -its name. Ride, ride, ride. Dark though the way and cold the wind, -Ataurresagasti rolls a name upon his tongue that lights the path and -warms the ambient air. Lisalda! Lisalda! Lisalda! Shock snowy -polls of Pyrenean hills start up behind the haze. The lights of -Behobia star the drift. Its cobbles fly to sparks beneath the -horse's hoofs. The river cuts athwart the highway; the bridge is -reached. Another stride and the _fleur de lys_ is left behind for -good. A customs officer leaps out of his box and seizes the horse's -head; he is dragged several yards along the track. A torrent of -imprecations in Basque, French and Spanish. Ataurresagasti pulls his -mount back on to its haunches. The officer is ultimately convinced -that he is no smuggler, and relinquishes somewhat charily his prey; -Ataurresagasti winds gently along the bank. When beyond the range of -pry or spy he dismounted and swung Lisalda to the ground. Once in -his arms he did not readily let her go but showered kiss after kiss. -The horse unheeded proceeded to explore on his own account and soon -was lost to sight. Ataurresagasti showered kiss after kiss upon her -wounded arm, her neck, her mouth, her eyes, her brow; but what is -this--his lips are blistered in contact with the hair that shades -that brow; he pushes the hair aside. A name in fiery angelical -characters is flaring there. Horror of horrors, 'tis the golem! In -his far off tavern Aquelarre is laughing in his sleeve. -Ataurresagasti stands aghast. The creature regards him with puzzled -eyes. She does not understand this sudden change; her mouth smiles -and the first word she has ever uttered crosses her lips. It is her -own name picked up, parrot-like from the iteration of the sailor. It -had a different effect from what the poor thing expected. - -"Lisalda!" - -His cry of agony jarred her dulcet note. Every cord of his body was -strung in an instant to one thought. To destroy this soulless -creature--to annihilate--to erase her--to have her from God's earth. -He pounced upon her. But the poor pretty monster seemed to feel by -instinct that this was another guess embrace from the first ardent -one. And instinctively she wrestled with him. It was an awful -unheard-of bout. Not a syllable was spoken, nor a cry. The blood -now streamed like rain from her wounded arm. They slipped in the -puddling soil. And Ataurresagasti could not get rid of the horrible -idea that it was, after all, the real Lisalda that he was wiping out -of life. Bit by bit, and one by one he obliterated the cursed -characters. And bit by bit as the execution proceeded a horrible -change came over her. Her limbs grew lean and spidery that she -twisted about him. Her eyes grew dull and fishy. Her hair fell out -by handfuls. She was dying letter meal. At length he forced her to -his feet still clinging to his knees. The last figure of the -angelical name disappeared beneath his thumb. Before him there lay -no longer She but It. No longer a Lisalda, but a battered waxen doll -with two pebbles and a herring-bone clapped on to one side of its -head to distinguish front from back. Laughable--yes, perhaps--but -Ataurresagasti did not laugh. He fell upon his face and wept. -Something like an hour passed before he rose. Then drawing his -hanger, and selecting the greenest spot, he proceeded to dig a grave. -This he lined with masses of such wild flowers as he could find, and -then reverently disposed the golem upon them. He shovelled back the -earth upon the body, as he could not help but call it. He stamped it -down obliterating all traces of his handiwork. He had said no -prayer, but prayers crowded into his mind. He seemed in his tangled -consciousness to have buried the real Lisalda, and with her all his -love. He drew towards the river and stared into its inscrutable -depths, turning over in his mind the pro and con as touching suicide. -But after mature deliberation he decided, in preference, to return to -that officer at Behobia, and give himself up for wife murder. He -took a gloomy pleasure in this idea, and might even have carried it -through. But suddenly a mocking peal of laughter--fiendish -laughter--struck, as he thought, familiarly on his ears. He rubbed -his eyes and looked across the river. On the French side of the -boundary stream, there stood facing him the devil's attorney, hand in -hand with what the now crazed sailor took for a golem. The existence -in the world of a real Lisalda never occurred to his wandering wits. -Aquelarre knew full well what had transpired. The sight of the -discomfiture of his rival seemed balsam to his wounded self-esteem. -Nor did he evidently as yet despair of making all things square. He -addressed Ataurresagasti at first with real or assumed jocularity. - -"Hola? master gaff topsail, and have you found the truth of what I -once told you, that two can play in a game of brag? Come, we are -surely quits by this time. Let bygones be bygones, and let us adjust -our contra accounts. You hold on your side what is of value to me, -and I on my side what is of value to you. Exchange is no robbery. -Cast me the Ring across the stream, and Lisalda shall join you at -Behobia." - -"Lisalda, do you say? And do you really think to befool me with a -golem, in the making of which I myself had a hand? Lisalda, I know, -is dead. By this hand she died, and I would cut it from me were it -not that the bloody crust on it is the only relic of her that remains -to me." - -"Madman, you rave! Oh this I never dreamed of, that his reason -should wander so untimely. Pull yourself together, man. 'Tis no -golem that stands beside me. 'Tis your own Lisalda,--your cutest -medicine--could I but get you to take it. Oh, be but for an hour -sane, and then put eternity out of joint if you will! Again I say, -the Ring across the stream, and take Lisalda in exchange; that turns -the scale against your immortal soul!" - -"Never waste your lies on me, man! 'Tis nothing but a golem that you -seek to palm off upon me. Lisalda, I know too well, is dead,--by the -token that these same impious hands that snatched her into darkness -have just smothered her into a heathen grave. I had thought to have -bedded her in other guise, but it seems my fondest star had never -appraised me as so worthy. Take away your golem, and I shall keep -the devil's autograph." - -"Perdition be your speed! This passes patience. All is indeed at an -end between us. All save my vengeance. For I will tell you now a -secret that shall open your eyes to the imminent deadly breach -between us. This Lisalda (whose name you would add to the long list -already tattooed upon your hairy bosom) has not, does not, nor will -ever love any other but myself. Sacristan at my Sabbaths from her -earliest years--my living altar at the Black Mass--she is more to me -than all your Ring. Nay the very plot and plan for conveying that -Ring from its rightful owner was conceived and carried out by her. -For that she undertook a special trip to the New World; for that she -donned the disguise in which she wormed herself into the confidence -of the Cabalist, and ultimately persuaded him to visit me at the Four -Cross Roads. Unfortunately (you gentleman swab) you took it into -your cursed costard to see further into a millstone than other -people. We tried to make account of your sea-dogged persistency by -drugging your nightcap with a view to palm you off upon justice (save -the mark) as the murderer of the Cabalist. But again, through your -ferreting foresight (darkened be your eyes), you tripped upon the -tragedy in the worst possible moment (trust you for that), and even -blundered into possession of the Ring. And now keep your ill-gotten -gear, and Aquelarre for the first time in life is content to be -bought and sold." - -He broke off abruptly as if unable to contain himself, and throwing -himself upon the girl with ferocious ardour he covered all her face -with kisses. Kisses that absolutely foamed at the mouth. Kisses -which she with even greater abandonment returned. Ataurresagasti -caught fire at the sight (as mayhap it was intended with devilish -cunning that he should) and cried out across the stream, every muscle -of his face quivering with jealousy. - -"This is the stroke that beggars fate! All is indeed at an end -between us! Bought and sold! Ataurresagasti is bought and sold! -But I can touch you in what (in spite of all you say) I know is still -a raw. The devil bless you, and thus to the devil with demon and -ring!" - -"Stop, stop, stop! 'Tis no hand of the Cabalist upon which the ring -sparkles but the hand of his murderess whom you love! Through you in -your ignorance it was branded with the brand of Beelzebub, and if you -relinquish it her soul will be struck from her!" - -He crowded the words together incredibly in his eagerness, but yet he -was too late. The Hand of Glory now acknowledged to be hand of -Lisalda, had already left the sailor's touch. It flew through the -air and as it flew, shot a double lightning of great joy. For the -Demon (so long imprisoned within the crystal) knew at length that his -appointed hour was come. Too late, the sailor grasped the stupendous -revelation of Aquelarre. Too late, he recognised Lisalda in the -supposed golem, and in Lisalda the murderess, whose shorn hand he had -so long carried about him. The moment that he hurled it violently -from him a startling change took place in the girl. Her garments -became shaggy hair. Her glorious eyes narrow and slanting. Her -teeth protruded at great length and yellow. Name of Mercy! This was -then that large and loathly wolf (a werewolf as he now astounded saw) -that had scattered the life of the Cabalist. The huge incredible -beast (with a mournful howl that curdled the sailor to the marrow) -sprang desperately after the brand which bound her soul. But being -short of one paw she failed to arrest it. The Hand of Glory crashed -down upon the water with an impact that shivered its crystal setting. -It burst with a flame and smoke, and a hellish explosion with which -mingled the dying shriek of the werewolf. With a roar that made rock -the whole Pyrenean chain, the demon thus set free had darted upon -her! He shot up as it seemed through her very body in a column like -a waterspout that seemed to pierce the skies. She was instantly -riven into a million shreds and sprinkled in a red rain as far as eye -could reach over the length and breadth of the stream. - - - - -THE RABBI LION. - -The clock of the Jewish quarter of Prague moves in the opposite -direction to its brethren of the Christian town, yet each in its own -way arrives second by second at the same inexorable facts of time. - -It was an hour short of midnight by both baptised and unbaptised -reckoning--a misty rain was falling and mingled with the mist that -rose from the river. Black obscure clouds veiled the face of the -moon. Thunder roared at intervals. A flash of lightning that lifted -momentarily the edge of the darkness revealed nothing kindlier than a -gibbet. Dead bones that once had lived were creaking in its chains. -The flesh had taken wing, the fowls of the air knew whither. Another -flash showed a living man who crouched smothered up in a cloak at the -foot of the unsightly tree. This unhappy outlaw if he dared seek no -choicer shelter was, perhaps, even more to be pitied than his brother -above. Whatever his reason, he made no motion in the direction of a -light that shone afar and presaged warmth and shelter. - -It was an inn. Its occupants concern us. They consisted of a -company of half-a-dozen youths that had palpably imbibed both long -and deep. Their carouse, however, was drawing to an end. The -landlord hovered near cogitating over his bill, and yet with an ear -to the conversation of his guests, lest haply he might catch some -word. In this he was unsuccessful, and no wonder. The language they -spoke was not only foreign to the landlord, but was that one of all -others of which the angels themselves are traditionally supposed to -be ignorant. In a word, it was Chaldee. But how did these -youngsters come to speak in the secret language of Cabala? The -reason is not far to seek. They were students of the Cabala and of -magic under a Rabbi--one of the most esteemed of his time. The -occasion they were celebrating with the flowing bowl was, indeed, no -other than the conclusion of their seven years' apprenticeship. So -far so good. But there was more in it than that. There was a -death's head at their feast. Something that necessitated for its -discussion their gift of tongues, something that took the heat from -food and made the red wine show white through their skins. Upon -entering their course they had set their hands in blood to the -customary indentures of the magical schools of that period. After -seven years (so the bond provided) only five of the pupils were to -leave their Alma Mater their occult education complete; the sixth was -forfeit to the devil, his due for acquiescence and assistance in -their studies. A point on which the academies differed was the -method of selecting among the apprentices which was to suffer as -damned soul. Some held a kind of glorified race in which the runner -that last attained the winning-post was torn asunder by the fiend. -But the Rabbi who conducted the reading party in which we are -interested had laughed at a decision made on physical grounds. The -graduates should be chosen (he thought) not for fleetness of foot, -but for the foremost quality of their sorcery. The scapegoat should -similarly be thrown out not for unsoundness of wind or limb, but for -the inadequate result of Black Art cramming. Logical enough all -this. There remained but to discriminate between the competitors. -To do this the Rabbi had decided that on the morrow of the night when -our story opens he would hold a solemn incantation. It would be the -first serious function of which the neophytes could boast. Their -seven years' candidacy had been occupied with theory and had never -ventured on practice. They would now find out the difference between -knowing how to raise the devil and doing it. A difference which is -even greater in this particular case than between word and deed in -other arts and sciences. The idea of the Rabbi was that beginning -gradually the terror should be accumulated ever thicker and faster -until it reached a point where one of the men would break. This then -would be the victim to be forced instantly from his circle and -snatched soul from body by the enemy. - -The reader is now cognizant of the mysterious business that fluttered -these young hearts. We may add that their use of a dead language had -another source besides the need for secrecy. No two of these -ill-fated ones were natives of the same country, no two of them spoke -a common speech. Such was the cosmopolitan fame of the Rabbi at -whose feet they sat that he could pick his lads from Arctica to -Cancer. - -We have already remarked that the supper drew to an end. The six had -tried their manfullest to drown care, but they had found it -impossible to get rightly drunk in the shadow of Death and of Hell. -With despair for their toastmaster they drank every time the health -of five, and thought the more that they spoke no word of the eternal -ruin of the sixth. The roofless wretch outside was less to be pitied -than these. They had discussed without hope every loophole of escape -and hopeless rejected all. There was nothing for it now but to -return home. The Rabbi would never have allowed them out so late on -any less momentous eve, but he had no fear of losing them now they -had run out their course of lessons. He had done his part, they had -received their consideration, trust him to look after his own that -keeps the tally of the damned. - -The reckoning had been adjusted to the satisfaction of the landlord, -by the chairman of the feast. That youth (who was apparently a -Bohemian by birth) now led his companions out of the house which some -one of them was never to re-enter. And each turned back to look at -it uncertain to what tune beggarly Fortune next might dance. They -proceeded in the direction of the gallows we have already alluded to. -Rain was still falling. The outlaw had disappeared, but will turn up -later in our path. As they approached the grisly standard even the -seasoned nerves of the sorcerers were troubled at the sight of its -charge. They would have turned aside but for the Bohemian, who -sturdily harangued them on their cowardice. - -"The Devil walk arm in arm with you! Is this the way you stand to -your guns at the sight of a gutted envelope--of a cast peascod--you -that are due in but a few hours' space to outfront the root of all -evil! I tell you the pit is digging deep for him that shows such -favour then. But my liver is of another colour. What, fear a -sloughed garment, and more rags than ribbons at that! Why I have -only to set my hand to it"---- - -The incident ended in a manner entirely unforeseen. The Bohemian had -barely touched the corpse when it dropped upon his shoulders. At -this the other sorcerers shod with fear incontinently fled. The -Bohemian stood his ground for only a moment. It had been in his mind -that the thing would fall to pieces, but when he felt a burning -breath, and the bony arms closing round his throat his brave soul -shrunk like the kernel of a nut, and rattled against his sides. With -the horrible revenant ever tightening its grasp the Bohemian started -to flee. In doing this he followed in the footsteps of his -companions, who had made their way back to the tavern. The landlord -was in the act of putting up his shutters when his late guests -tumultuously helter-skeltered to his door, and shrieked for immediate -rations of strong waters. Nothing loath he planted them again at his -tables and exchanged their solids for his fluids. At this juncture -the Bohemian appeared, alone, but sweating to the very palms. He -steadied himself against the wall and drank off the landlord's -proffer at a gulp. - -"Your health!" cried out a mocking voice from the very midst of the -Convives. - -The Bohemian dropped his glass with a crash that sowed its fragments -wide. There was a stranger sitting in the midst of their company, -and drinking as if one of themselves; no one had seen him enter. The -host appeared as much at a loss as they were. But the unknown being -obviously man of mortal mould the Bohemian soon recovered his wits. -He challenged the unbidden guest. - -"Who are you? And why do you drink to me?" - -The stranger rose to his full height, which was more than common -tall. We repeat that none of those present knew him; but to continue -our practice of dealing fairly with the reader we identify him with -the outlaw with whom we commenced our story huddled up at the feet of -justice. This understood, we record the stranger's speech:-- - -"Walls have ears, and if you would know me you must breathe the outer -air. As to my drinking of your health, between man and man, do you -not look as if you needed it?" - -The obvious truth of this remark was only fuel to the Bohemian's -fire. The more anxious on that account to know who the mysterious -one was, he signed to his companions to come outside. The rain had -now ceased. As they retraced--not without trepidation--the path they -had so hastily left, they noticed that the gibbet was again occupied, -but no one dared to ask the Bohemian how he had got rid of his -unwelcome visitant. It was the stranger who renewed the conversation -by abruptly mentioning his name. - -"I am Iron Haquin!" - -His hearers started. They had expected nothing like this. It was a -name proscribed, and upon which a heavy price was set. It was the -name of the comrade (still at large)--of him that shook a leg on the -gallows. But Iron Haquin knew that these men were nothing to be -feared. The affair of the dead bandit had given them their fill--of -thief-taking, at any rate--for that one night. The living might -safely laugh them out of countenance about that exploit. He -addressed himself accordingly to the Bohemian. - -"What! frightened with the rattling of bones that ride the gale? -Would have me believe that the unrepentant thief descended from the -cross? A sorrow on your fears! Take such tales to your confessor, -for I'll have none of them, be sure! You had looked too long upon -the jewelled wine, and that's the long and the short of it. I'll -even touch hands with my dead mate myself, just to show you how -unfounded your stampede. You will see no windfall vouchsafed to me, -shake I never so shrewdly the tree." - -He suited the action to the word and the event proved him right. The -sorcerers would have turned tail at half a suspicion. But never a -miracle occurred this time. The corpse continued to hug its chains. -The Bohemian waxed wilder and still more wild, but he did not cease -to listen to Iron Haquin. - -"Fear has no share in life of mine--death has been all too long my -fellow--familiarity breeds contempt. I believe I could make the -Devil's pulse jump could I only obtain an interview. That, at any -rate, is the one thing left that might fathom the resources of my -heart. I saved the life of a Hebrew once, who, in return, gave me -lessons in magic. I never worked so hard in my life. I looked to -shortly kiss the mouth of hell, but, as ill luck would have it, I -quarrelled with my Rabbi, and never found a chance." - -The Bohemian could scarcely help showing his incredulity, nor did he -care much for the stranger's feelings. - -"What possible cause of quarrel could you have with a man whose life -you saved?" - -"Cause enough for anything and everything since he introduced me to -his betrothed and I fell in love with her. He poisoned her mind -against me, and on a chance cast me into a well. The water, however, -was sufficient to break my fall, and I escaped after starving many -days. It was twenty years ago, but I have never been able to forget -it. He shall yet curse the mother that bore him. I tell you all -this frankly as I told you my name, because I know that you are not -what you seem!" - -The Bohemian followed this relation, and chewed the cud of it. An -idea had occurred to him fraught with unholy joy. He saw (as he -thought) how he could achieve his own salvation at one stroke with -the death of the intruder. How it worked out we shall see in the -sequel. This is how the Bohemian set it going. - -"What do you mean by saying that we are not what we seem?" - -"Because, although your outer man is clad in this world's uniform, -your hearts are of the livery colours of hell; you are students of -sorcery, and no later than to-morrow you are to conjure in your -strength. Do I not read you rightly?" - -The Bohemian stared in something very much like stupor. Where on -earth could the man have got his information? It sealed his death -warrant, in any event. He knew too much for sure! The Bohemian, by -this time, had matured his plans, which he now expressed in words. - -"Whatever your source of knowledge you have hit us off correctly, I -admit; nor can we deny hospitality to such a man. We are within (as -you say) a few hours of a magical ceremony. If you are so anxious as -you pretend to face such odds I will go so far as to yield my place -to you." - -For the life of him the Bohemian could not help something of a smile -as he made this handsome offer. He was ignorant still whether the -bandit was aware of the exceptional nature of this incantation. His -reply would decide that point. If he knew the rules of the -approaching contest he would certainly refuse. If he did not, he -could hardly maintain his fame without becoming a substitute for the -Bohemian. To do him justice, Iron Haquin did not hesitate for a -moment. - -"Your hand upon the bargain, man, and never fear but I shall do you -credit. Since the beginning of recorded time there shall have been -no such conjuration. We will quench the light of adverse stars. -Hell's idiom has no word for what we shall do." - -Still wearing the same sardonic grin, the Bohemian broke in upon this -enthusiasm. His department was the practical. - -"Permit me to draw your attention to the fact that we have been -drifting slowly on and shall soon have reached the Rabbi's house. It -befits us, therefore, to arrange our order of business. It may not -have occurred to you that the Rabbi must know nothing about this. If -he did he might possibly veto the affair. But there will be no -difficulty in circumventing him. The house is built square around a -central court where the conjuration will take place in open air. You -will enter with us muffled in your cloak, and your presence will not -be detected among so many; you will conceal yourself under the -staircase while the Rabbi takes us to our bedrooms, which are the -topmost of the house. The old gentleman locks us in all night, for -we are strictly looked after, I can assure you. When we are released -(after a brief slumber) it will still be dark, and if I slip into -your hiding-place and you assume my authority I do not see why the -Rabbi should be the wiser. As to the risk you run that is, of -course, more your affair than mine. I shall pray for you from my -coign of vantage if I can remember any but backward prayers. But -now, confess, are you not moved at length with fear?" - -"Nay, by horn and hoof! I shall weather the devil as I have got the -weather of death, and be hail-fellow-well-met with both! At the -worst a man can die but once--I had rather thus than a prod and a sod -like so many that I have sent to their account. And, to end all, is -this your destination? Why, it is the house of Rabbi Lion!" - -"The Rabbi Lion is our teacher." - -The Bohemian was only too glad that the matter was thus settled. His -fears for himself, and of the other, were disposed of in one -ingenious coup. The remaining five sorcerers had followed the -negotiations with mixed admiration and envy. From them no -remonstrance was to be expected, quite the contrary, since they -believed and hoped that the bandit as a novice in magical matters -would be the one to pay penalty to the fiend. They had yet to find -out that their dupe had more knowledge than they bargained for. -Meanwhile the Bohemian has knocked at the door. From within there -comes a clangour of bolt and bars. The door is opened, and the Rabbi -appears. His pupils enter in as much of a hustle as possible, -allowing Iron Haquin to conceal himself as arranged. The students -file upstairs to be disposed of by their tutor, who will presently -return alone. - -During this absence of the Rabbi, Iron Haquin took by the forelock -the opportunity of looking around. The courtyard itself was bare, -the lofty walls of the house built it in on all four sides. Under -the roof half-a-dozen windows seemed to indicate the garrets of as -many students. On the level of the ground there was nothing but two -doors to break the monotonous courses of stone. One of these massive -portals was that of the street through which Iron Haquin had entered. -The other, which faced it on the opposite side, had been left ajar by -the Rabbi. It was of a certainty the passage way to his sanctum. -The bandit approached it and looked through. A mighty chamber lay -behind. The light which streamed from it into the courtyard was -engendered by a central lamp, one of that sort which are -traditionally reputed to burn with an everlasting flame; from the -ceiling hung stuffed reptiles and other grotesques that seemed to -shiver in the current of fresh air. Tables conveniently disposed for -work were loaded with books and manuscripts; every available niche -and nook was piled with tools of necromancy that the bandit had no -time to identify. Hearing the steps of the Rabbi descending, he -slipped to his covert just in time. The ancient Israelite re-entered -his studio and slammed the door behind him. The wondrous light was -thus extinguished, and the courtyard plunged in darkness. But not -for long. The outlaw had scarcely disposed himself for sleep--better -quarters this than the gibbet's foot--when the door was again thrown -wide. He looked in the expectation of seeing once more the Rabbi's -work-room; but to his utter surprise and consternation it was a -different room altogether, though indisputably the self-same door. -This time it was a lady's boudoir that was revealed, of immense size, -imperially furnished--a thousand mirrors flashing back its -chandeliers. There was no trace of the Rabbi who had just entered -that very door, instead, a beautiful girl of about twenty summers -glided out to the cooling breeze. Had it not been for her Iron -Haquin would have been dumbfounded at the inexplicable shift of -rooms. But the moment he set eyes on her so much greater a surprise -beset him that it drove all other out of mind. - -It was the woman of whom he had spoken to the Bohemian--the woman who -had cut friendship, and all but wrought his death--the woman whom -still he loved. He strode forth without a second thought. - -"It is her very self!" he cried. - -The girl smiled at him as in recognition. Not the least surprise did -she show at this strange meeting. She called him by his name. - -"Iron Haquin!" - -"You know me after all these years?" - -"Who better among men should I know after all that passed between us? -And did you not first know me?" - -"That is not the same thing. I am twenty years older, but you--I can -hardly believe my eyes--are the girl of twenty years ago. Has time, -too, been fooled by those eyes of yours which I have often said would -split a lover's coffin?" - -"Believe me, my friend, Time's ravages are here as surely as that you -will never see them. It is your love now, as ever, that blinds your -eyes and drapes a faded woman in your poetry. When I am dead, and my -body an ordinary for worms, you will see me still in fancy's eye just -the girl you see me now. And by the same token you, that speak of -being twenty years older, are in my eyes the brave and innocent boy -whose lips were once my food." - -"Then you loved me all the time, after all?" - -"At that age, what did I know of love--or loathing?" - -"But the Rabbi?" - -"He is old," she cried, "past passion. Ah, Haquin, you would not -know him now!" - -"I cannot make it out that you are still sweet and twenty. Here is a -waist would warm the arm of death! You are, if anything, lovelier, -transfigured, haloed. You would hurry the pace of a star! Tell me -true now, is it not some elixir of the Rabbi's that has pinnacled you -beyond the teeth of Time?" - -She laughed. - -"Elixir of his! Why he would swallow it himself! And to prove how -little I lean on him you may kill him if you will! - -"An assassination!" gasped the bandit, "the man knows no sword play." - -He was thinking, as he spoke, of the primitive device by which his -rival had once tried to get rid of him. - -"A duel!" returned the Jewess, "for if he knows no sword play he can -measure swords with steel they forge below. You are a tall man of -your hands when knives are stripping, but at his trade you are the -Rabbi's fool. You will need all you know to join issue with him in -ceremonial of magic. No later than this morning must you pit your -strength against him, for to that you were decoyed hither." - -"Decoyed! I came of my own free will, for an adventure to my mind. -The story is worth telling. I was dying for a sensation, so I -decided to cut down a comrade and give him more decent sepulchre than -a gizzard. I had just got his corpse in safety to the ground when I -heard a confusion of coming footsteps. Fearing it might be noticed -that the gibbet was naked I swung myself into the chains. I knew -from their conversation they were magical students that passed. I -had a yearning to foregather with such once more, as I did in the -days of my youth. A practical joke gave me the opportunity, and -Heaven be praised for the good hap!" - -Iron Haquin was about to improve the occasion, but, at this -interesting juncture, a howl of rage discharged through the upper -air. It came from the head of the Bohemian thrust out of his window. -The Jewess snatched up the two hands of her lover and pressed them to -her fervid lips. Almost before he was aware of it she had retreated -to her bower, and closed the door behind her. At the same moment the -Bohemian, having wriggled through his window, leaped headlong into -the courtyard. He came down unskilfully. Iron Haquin thought he -heard his leg go. He lay there groaning, and then burst into -invective against the outlaw. - -"The devil rough-ride you that have seen, so close, a dream I only -sighted from afar. Bestride me the succubus, if I would have brought -you hither had I known she would come out to-night. The skies are -dark as a wolf's throat, and I believed she only walked in the moon. -Full many a night I watched it shine on her silken hair--silken as -the touch of sin--long, so that when she unbound it she stumbled in -her locks. Her silver body was fragrant as the boundaries of hell. -Death and dissolvement! Let me get you in my grips, and you shall -never see her twice! Help me to my feet and unfold your blade, and -then bite on what prayers you know!" - -The bandit surveyed this unexpected rival with something very much -like fellow-feeling. Then he voiced the question that was uppermost -in him. - -"How old did you suppose her?" - -"How old? What do I care how old? Old enough to be loved and to -love." - -"How old did you suppose her?" - -"If you insist on it, I suppose she wears some twenty years, and a -queenly garment they!" - -"What! Twenty years in your sight also! Why I tell you this very -girl is the one of whom I spoke to you that I loved twenty years ago." - -"You lie, by the Father of Lies!" - -The bandit clapped his hand to hilt, and as instantly snatched it -away. - -"I fight with no cripple," he hissed in his teeth, "but you shall -hear from herself God's truth!" - -So saying he ran his great strength against that door. Twice and -thrice he rammed it. It did not flinch. He went back a few steps to -acquire a fresh impetus. But before he could return to the attack it -flew abruptly open, as if moved by some hidden spring. Iron Haquin -uttered an astonished cry. The boudoir was no longer there! - -The mysterious chamber had undergone another Protean change. To -speak more by the book, there was no longer any chamber. The door -framed nothing but blackest darkness. Neither ceiling, nor walls, -nor floor could be distinguished. By this time the Bohemian had -struggled to his feet, and now hobbled in the direction of the door. - -"Back, back," cried the bandit, "this is no place for you, nor for -any christened man. The foundations of this house are laid in hell. -Back, back, as you value your infinite soul!" - -"To heel," shrieked the Bohemian, and he whipped our his sword, "lest -I strike you in the place where you live! This is my hour, and you -shall not be the only one to take her between your hands." - -Before Haquin could forestall him, he had leaped the grinning door, -and disappeared in enigmatical gloom. He was scarcely lost to sight, -when a shriek rang out, beyond conception awful. It was his -death-note. The whole air curdled. Iron Haquin fell upon his knees. -What grimmest of riddles the victim solved no man shall ever know. -His body--even as his soul--was lost in that abysmal horror. For a -while Haquin gazed at it, and saw no sign, nor heard what could be -called a sound. It was a grave that gave up no dead. - -At last, the outlaw rose and crossed himself, and closed the door -upon its secret. Withdrawn to his corner, he set himself to think -what monstrous enigma couched behind there. The worst of it was that -it threw still more suspicion on the woman. But was she a woman at -all? In his wanderings across Europe, from sea to sea, he had never -lost the Jewess out of mind. Whenever it was possible to acquire -later news of her, he spared no pains to do so. But the gossip, -through which alone at such a distance he could keep himself in touch -with her circumstances, was always vague, and often contradictory. -He had been circumstantially assured of her death, and as -circumstantially undeceived. But now he began to wonder if that -report might have had foundation. To assume that upon losing her the -Rabbi had supplied her place with a familiar culled from the females -of the pit, would explain nearly all that he had seen. Was it woman -or nightmare that couched behind there? He had arrived at no -decision when the door again flew open, and he stretched out his head -for the next development. But the panoramic capacity of the door -seemed, for the time being, to have played itself out. The view was -only the old one of the laboratory out of which the Rabbi stepped. - -He was loaded with apparatus of ceremonial magic; he deposited it -upon the ground; he closed the wonder-working door. His next step -was to trace out two enormous circles, one within the other. The -outer one embraced the whole area of the courtyard, the other one ran -inside it at a distance of about a yard all round. Between the -circumferences of these two circles he inscribed seven smaller ones, -at equal distances apart. The outlaw, who, though disappointed at -the drying-up of the resources of the door, watched all these -proceedings with attention, perceived that the seven circles were -intended--one each--for the Rabbi and his six attendants. He -concluded that the ill-starred Bohemian, as having been undoubtedly -cock of the school, would be assigned one of the two circles next the -master, which was precisely the post Iron Haquin would have chosen. -He was in some doubt, however, as to whether there might, or might -not, be a miscarriage when the bedroom was found to be unaccountably -empty. Fortunately, the Rabbi (after placing a pan of living coal in -each circle) went upstairs to unlock each door, and came down again -at once, without opening any. This may have been intended to allow -time for his disciples to dress, but he bore as well the air of one -having forgotten something, and ran as fast as his years would permit -him to that door of doors. The outlaw noted as the Rabbi passed -through that it was the boudoir this time visible. Apparently the -thing worked round in a cycle. The Rabbi emerged again almost at -once with a look of considerable relief. All this was Greek to the -onlooker. The five candidates now appeared and took up the circles -pointed out to them. The outlaw pulled his hat well over his -features, and (as it was still dark) hoped to pass muster. He saw, -as he had expected, one of the places of honour was left for the -Bohemian. He boldly took his stand there; he had now burnt his -boats, and must go through. The Rabbi had not yet syllabled a word, -reserving his strength for the strain to come. He silently divided -among his assistants the remainder of what he had brought out of his -store room. This consisted of civet, amber and musk, of benzoin, -camphor and myrrh, of every fragrance that wizards burn. - -The Rabbi then stepped into his own circle and commenced a -preliminary prayer. The supreme moment had come. - -A sudden glow invaded the veins of the amateur exorcist (late Iron -Haquin) as he heard that well-known voice. Bit by bit, as he warmed -to the work, he remembered the ritual which this very man had once -been at pains to teach him. From time to time the other five chimed -in with the responses. Iron Haquin dared not risk the recognition of -his voice. As the ceremony proceeded the air seemed to grow more -dense until it became a matter of difficulty to breathe. It was -thickening with, as yet, invisible elementals. Anon the outlaw's -attention was drawn to the glances of his fellows, which timorously -sought the empty space enclosed by the inmost of the two circles. He -was somewhat dashed--even he--to see that this empty space had sunk -below the level of the courtyard. Worse, it continued to sink until -it disappeared altogether. The magicians now stood in their seven -circles, around the circumference of a well. Even this was not the -worst, as the bottom, though out of sight, must still be sinking, and -would sink to the very confines of the underworld. Connexion was to -be opened with the bottomless pit by means of this bottomless shaft. -Having arrived at this by no means engaging conclusion, Iron Haquin -had only to wait for the end. It came with a sudden smother and -smoke that belched from the mouth of the chimney. The Rabbi threw -instantly perfumes upon his fire, and his acolytes did likewise. -Essence and quintessence fought desperately with the evil odours of -this smoke that came straight from eternal fires. And there was -borne up with the smoke a weird hubbub of voices, that blasphemed in -every tongue. Cracked lips of the damned shrieked execrations in -languages long dead, whose accents unintelligible made heart stand -still. In vain the Rabbi raised his voice that had never ceased from -the first onset. His exorcisms were drowned in oaths both loud and -deep, and with the rush and roar of furnaces stoked with blood. And -now the thick air showed faces that peered in their eyes, and -gibberings that were not faces, creeping and crawling things. The -outlaw's skin had long ago wrung out its last drop of sweat. The -Rabbi's white hair stood all on end. The moment for the trial had -come. - -Iron Haquin threw his hat out of the circle where it was instantly -torn into a million shreds; His face thrust abruptly into the Rabbi's -line of sight, he roared in tones of thunder:-- - -"Rabbi Lion, I am Iron Haquin!" - -The effect upon the Rabbi was electric. His eyes started out of his -head. The chant died away upon his lips. He dropped like a stone -into the pit. One long low moan reverberated from side to side, -broken up by peals of hellish jubilee. A terrible voice that hushed -all else cried out three times-- - -"Lost! Lost! Lost!" - -This was the climax, and Iron Haquin the man to bear the brunt of it. -No help was to be expected from the five sucking sorcerers. They -were ridden to rags. The last events had crowded so quickly together -that the outlaw practically took up the litany where the Rabbi -dropped it. He gave it such voice as would have been a surprise to -the others, were they in a state to make the observation. The fact -is, Iron Haquin was drunk with the cup of revenge. For two pins he -would have bearded the fiend. The infernals shrunk from the lash and -lather of such magnificent rage expressed in the highest terms of -art. They of the pit sucked in their smoke and hushed the outlet of -despair. The centre of the courtyard reappeared, air refined itself, -victorious sweet scents flung wide their banners. - -"Go in peace unto your place. Peace be between us and you. Be you -ready to come when you are called." - -This final, formal leave-taking of the spirits, without which no -magician worth his salt would ever abandon his circle, wound up what -had once looked a serious business. The six could now quit in safety -the circles which a moment before had been their only bulwark against -perdition. The students were too limp to pay any attention to the -giant that had taken their world upon his shoulders. Their little -remaining sanity was all bent to the desire to get away from an -accursed house. They stumbled out of the front gate, which the -outlaw had to open for them, and scattered to the four winds of -heaven. - -The coast being now clear the bandit made for that other door which -had played so many parts. On what would the curtain now arise? He -opened and discovered the boudoir. A repetition of its last role. -The cycle theory was thus effectually disposed of. There was nothing -for it but that the door obeyed some arbitrary will. Scarcely its -own. The Rabbi was dead, and worse. There remained then only the -Jewess. But where was she? The chamber had no outlet. She could in -no wise have left it. Our hero ransacked every corner, he upset, and -set up, and upset again every priceless piece of furniture, tore down -silk and satin, and threw jewels under foot, ground beneath his heel -the command of armies, and the price of the honour of queens. At -last his eye was arrested by a common glass bottle, he was fascinated -by it, he held it to the light, he all but dropped it. It contained -the object of his search. - -Yes, there was no doubt now of the death of his former love. No -doubt but that the Rabbi's diabolical art and craft had replaced her -by a familiar spirit. This was the receptacle in which he confined -the familiar at seasons when he was not in need of her. This was the -familiar herself within the bottle, reduced most delicately small. -She still wore the guise of his long lost wife with which her master -had endowed her. She still caused a pang to the iron heart of Haquin -to see her down to such poor prison. And she knew her power over -him. She knew that he would find a way. She smiled at him divinely, -she clasped her tiny hands in prayer to him. But he was aware that -he must needs release her. He neither thought nor would have cared -that, now her master was dead, once released there was no controlling -her. It just had to be done. But how to set about it? The stopper -was sealed down and with a talismanic character on the seal. It was -the uttermost secret of the Rabbi. Iron Haquin could not read it, -and without reading it could never open the bottle. There remained -but one avenue of escape--the bottle must be broken. With all the -strength of his iron arm he dashed it to the ground. There was a -tremendous explosion, a roar like thunder, a flash before his eyes. -Not a mirror in the chamber but was shattered and scattered. A -rapidly enlarging female form escaped from the shards of the broken -bottle. It lost as it enlarged all resemblance to the -well-remembered Jewess. It became indefinite, it thinned into little -more than a mist. It gradually disappeared, yet, as the last waft of -it brushed his face the passionate lover thought he felt once more -his sweetheart's lips. But he looked around and saw himself alone -with solitude, and wreckage, and desire of death. - - - - -THE EVIL EYE. - -Our story opens upon a gloomy function; the burning of a gang of -wizards and witches. - -The bells were ringing, but it was a muffled peal, and the hammers -were subdued that wrought the scaffolding in the market place. The -steps of the citizens were as those that seek pleasure or plunder by -night, and the very soldier trailed a pike most unsoldierly silent. -A stranger, who, from the singularity of his appearance, would have -attracted notice on any other occasion, to-day threaded unchallenged -this German town. - -Tall he was, worn down to the bone, gaunt and prematurely grey, -hollow-cheeked and hollow-eyed. His dress might be described, with -no great stretch of language, as little but nakedness visible. But -it was sweet with the scent of the sea, and the roll of the sea was -in his long legs, as he wound his way to the central square. He -looked neither to the right nor to the left. Arrived at his -destination he took no heed of the ominous carpenters, nor of the -wood-work to which they were putting the finishing touch. He walked -straight--and as if by instinct rather than by eye--into a certain -tavern of those that debouched upon that place. He might have been -supposed to be dumb as well as blind, since he merely made a -pantomime expressive of hunger as he sank into one of the seats. The -landlord looked with doubt at his visible assets. A sad thing of the -nature of a smile flickered upon the burnt and blistered visage of -the sailor. He evolved a coin from some miraculous hiding-place in -the cobweb that was his apology for raiment. The landlord bit it, -rang it, and bit it again. Ultimately he appeared satisfied, and -placed food before his customer. The speed with which it vanished -would have justified an observer in antedating considerably the -stranger's previous meal. Leaving a clean plate he threw himself -back in his chair and steadily regarded the landlord. - -Then he asked, not without emotion, - -"Don't you know me, old comrade?" - -The landlord started as if shot. - -"By all the saints and saintesses! _Marquard!_" - -"Aye, Marquard it is; but not the Marquard you knew of old. It was -an evil hour I ran away to sea." - -"But why have you not returned these years?" - -"Returned! He asks me why I did not return! I that--before I had -been long enough aboard to be on good terms with my inner man--was -captured by the Algerine! I that have been chained to an oar in the -galley of Barbarossa every day of these years of which you speak! -But pay no heed to what I say. There is news for which I burn. You -that have lived humdrum can tell me of _her_, for whose coquetries I -lost patience and exiled myself." - -"She lives," murmured the landlord, in a half-hearted way, and he -looked upon the floor. - -"She lives! And what of my rival that I thought she preferred to me?" - -"He lives, if you mean the Hungarian, whose name we could never -pronounce, and whom we used to call Teremtette from his favourite -oath." - -"Come, tell more about them both." - -The landlord cast a troubled eye upon him, and again looked down. He -spoke with distinct embarrassment. - -"Prepare yourself for the worst, my friend. Remember that he of whom -we speak was always a hobnobber with sorcerers, and a sorcerer -suspect. After your departure he became a sorcerer confessed." - -"And _she_, man! What of her?" - -"Alas! She followed wherever he led, though the devil's shadow was -all his light. She lived with him for a time after you abandoned the -field to him." - -"I knew it! In my dreams they were husband and wife, the while I -hugged a bare board to my aching heart." - -"Husband and wife! They were never that, save at some witches' -sabbath, mated by priests unfrocked and anathematised, but not in the -sight of gods or men." - -"Then she is free, and I shall steal her from him yet. I will marry -her, but I will kill him first." - -"You know not what you say. He is swollen in power until he is -acknowledged the master magician of all Germany. It is _whispered_ -that he made a pact with Satan, and in pledge thereof exchanged one -of his eyes for an eye of the fiend's. It is _known_ that he walks -abroad with one eye shut until he wishes to perform some evil. Then -he lifts the eyelid and shoots forth a spear of light from that eye -which is not his own. And it blasts whereever it falls. For this -reason we call him the Evil Eye." - -"His backbone shall be limp for me, his front abased, his star is -set, his grave is dug, his flesh already rots! I will bury him in a -church that he may hug false hopes of salvation, and then I will set -my feet on his gravestone when I stand with her before the priest. -He shall shriek curses from his coffin while I knit her life to mine, -until the scandalised sacred earth shall spit him forth to those that -lie in wait." - -"Unhappy man, you are still dreaming of the girl you left behind! Do -you not realise that, now years have rolled over her, she is a mother -witch? Nay, there is worse that I had hoped to spare you. Did you -not notice the stakes erected outside in the market place? To-day a -host of women, and not a few evil men, are to wipe out their crimes -with the last payment. At this very moment the sad procession is -entering the square. Do you recognise no prisoner among them?" - -He threw open the door. It was even as he said. The sailor sprang -to his feet and scanned the accused. - -"I do not see him there!" - -"Not he, he flies too high for judge or jury, the devil's true -knight, hell sublimate! But look again. Do you not recognise one of -the women?" - -With a terrible foreboding Marquard strained his eyes, but saw no -face that corresponded to his memories. They were, without -exception, abominable hags that were to suffer. But one of them had -at once recognised _him_. Recognised him, in spite of the awful -change wrought by his captivity. The foulest beldame of them all -stretched her skinny arms to him. Her cracked voice called his name. - -"Marquard!" - -An icy hand gripped the galley-slave's heart-strings. In that second -he lived all the years since last he had seen her. He saw (in his -mind's eye) golden hair shade to grey, skin become parchment, roses -and lilies scatter in dust. He recognised her, and he leaped forward -to her like an arrow from a bow. The spectators parted in amaze, to -right and left. Guards and executioners fell back from his foot and -hand. He caught the outstretched hands of the witch in his. He -devoured her with his looks, and she him. He was as one in a dream. -He scarcely felt her press something round into one of his palms. -She whispered so that he alone heard her:-- - -"Marquard! It is a charm I am giving you that has cost me dear. It -will protect you from all evil, and especially from _him_. As you -love me, never part with it while you live. I dare not wish you well -lest my prayer should blast you. Good-bye, and think sometimes -kindly of me." - -He would have retained her, but she drew her fingers away, leaving -with him that globular thing to which he paid no attention. She -kissed him with her eyes. He tried to speak, but words were choked -in sobs. And now the soldiers, both horse and foot, bore down upon -him. A cry of rescue was raised by some of the crowd that were -interested in the prisoners. Others shouted them down, and shook -their fists in Marquard's face. The wildest confusion reigned. His -rags were torn from his back. A hundred blades were thrust into his -flesh. Those that had taken his part pulled him one way, the more -law-abiding citizens pulled him another. His head swam, he lost his -footing, he fell, and was trampled alike by friend and foe, in the -pitched battle that was fought over his body. He lost consciousness, -and knew no more. - -When he recovered his painful identity, it was some time before he -could remember what had passed. He was sick, as he fancied, from the -rollings of the galley, and sore from the laying-on of the -taskmaster's whip. It was the possession of a certain ball, which he -still clutched in his palm, which, after he had stared at it for a -while, led him back to truth. When, by degrees, he had recovered his -memory, he tried to make out of what substance it was formed, but -without arriving at any conclusion, he carefully stowed it away. He -was most puzzled by the fact that he was in a room. It was dark, so -that a considerable time must have elapsed. He rose, and felt all -round the walls. There was no doubt about it. Presently he came -upon the door. He tried it. It opened. He was evidently not a -prisoner. He stepped into a passage, and up to another door. This -one was locked, but the key was in it. He turned it, and opening the -door disclosed the square. The mystery was now solved. He was in -the precincts of the tavern. He had been saved, perhaps from death, -by his good friend, the inn-keeper. - -The night was magnificently clear. A single star hung low in the ear -of the moon. He looked all around the deserted place that during his -swoon must have been the scene of butcherly justice. The remnants of -the stakes were evidence that the decrees of the law had really been -executed. A few fragments of charred bone were now all that remained -of the girl he had loved. He seemed to scent the odour of burnt -flesh in the air. Suddenly, he became aware that he was not alone in -his contemplation of this field of blood. Some man was ferreting -about the bases of the stakes, and sifting the human dust that paved -the square. It needed no second look to tell the galley-slave who -this was, so much keener than love is hate. It was the man--or more -than man--of whom Marquard had conferred with the inn-keeper. It was -the Hungarian--Teremtette--the Evil Eye. - -For what then was he a-search among this life that had ceased to -live? Marquard thought that he could answer this question. The ball -of so much mystery had been given to him by the witch, as a charm -that would protect from this very man. The association of the -Hungarian with her made it probable that he was acquainted with her -possession of it, and with its powers. Such being the case, it was a -property that he must itch to lay his fingers upon. Perhaps he had -even attempted, and failed, to obtain it from her while she was alive -At any rate it was this, presumably, which he was agog for on the -scene of her death. As a charm it would be unconsumable by fire, and -had Marquard not been before him the Hungarian might have attained -his end. The one weak point in the theory was that it supposed the -wizard ignorant of Marquard's return. Yet this was not impossible, -since surely even wizards have their limitations. Having decided -Upon this explanation of his rival's presence, Marquard burned to -confront him face to face. He strode boldly out of his protecting -doorway. The Hungarian heard his step, looked up, and sprang to his -feet. The galley-slave noted with a thrill that one of his eyes was -closed. It was the Evil Eye against which he was soon to test his -powers of endurance. For the wizard had evidently recognised him at -once. His whole face was writhen with diabolical glee. Slowly he -raised the lid that covered the Evil Eye. There was a gush of -blinding light from under that veil. The square was lit up as by -noonday sun. The ray struck remorselessly upon the sailor. He stood -erect unshaken. Astonishment was legible upon the magician's -features at this evident failure of his trusted weapon. He raised -the lid to its fullest extent, and put all he was worth into the -uncanny stare. But the sailor stood erect, unscathed. The charm was -doing the work which its donor had foreseen, and doing that work -right well. The galley-slave registered a vow never to part with it. -Suddenly the magician dropped his eyelid, and the market-place once -more was dark. He had apparently arrived at some decision, for -now--for the first time--he spoke. - -"Antlers of Belial!! Do I see before me my old friend Marquard?" - -"Your enemy to the hilts you see." - -"You must pardon my defective sight which obliged me to call in the -aid of science before I recognised you. Who would have thought of -seeing you here? But now I know you I shall not readily part with -you. You shall sleep under no other roof than mine this night of -your home-coming." - -"Dare you speak thus to _me_, knowing that this day the woman we both -loved has died a horrible death at hangman's hands, and all for -following the course _you_ set and staked for her?" - -"Nonsense, my friend. You have been deceived by a chance -resemblance, if indeed any could exist between such wrinkles as were -smoothed out to-day and a face that made the stars ashamed. I regret -to say that I have lost sight of her for many a year--that maiden we -both knew and loved; I would give all I have left to give to see her -before me as she was. Her waist was slender as the waist of death--I -cannot conceive her as blue flame and grey ash. Again I say you have -deceived yourself, my friend." - -"Friend me no friends! What I feel for you is unscabbarded, naked -hate." - -"Death and the judgment! If you do not love me, you _fear_ me, -coward that you are!" - -"Were I the crowning coward--the bye-word and mock of cowards--there -would be one man beneath my fear." - -"And do you mean that I am that man? I challenge you then to -accompany me to my castle. It is worth the seeing." - -"You need not press me. I ask nothing better than your company. You -shall tire of me ere I tire of you. Lead, and I will follow you to -the fringes of the Pit." - -"We'll needs ride sabbatical post." - -He plucked up two charred logs that lay near at hand. He thrust one -between the knees of the galley-slave and the other between his own. -He uttered a magic word, sharp, pungent, and obeyed. The logs became -two stallions, black as grief and fleet as joy. Before Marquard had -grasped the fact that he was mounted, they were out of the town. - -The weather, as we have said, was of the clearest. A train of -obscene hags, bound for some witches' frolic, was the only thing that -rode the night. They passed it and left it easily in their rear. -Their pace, in fact, was a pace to kill. They shook off a mile with -every sweat drop. It took them a second to shoot through a forest. -They cleared, not one river, but twos and threes at a time; the wind, -striving to keep up with them, fell breathless. Huge mountains -tossed their grandsire heads and deemed themselves impassable. These -also the chargers crossed, and left them shrugging their fat -shoulders far behind. But now a peak of peaks appeared--a Babel that -overlooked earth, and peered into heaven--would they double that? -They reached its summit, but at the instant, with a word from the -sorcerer, they were logs again. - -Marquard reeled as his feet touched ground. He steadied himself with -an effort, and took a step forward. The Hungarian seized him by the -collar, just in time to save him from a fall. They were standing -upon the edge of a precipice. The sailor looked down and saw no -bottom--a gulf that staggered reason. He shuddered at his escape, -and reeled again. When he had somewhat recovered, he rubbed his -eyes, and took a careful survey of the position. - -They had been deposited at the extreme altitude of the mountain. But -it was not a single peak, it formed a ring like the crater of a -volcano, but of a diameter so stupendous that its further side was -barely visible to the naked eye. Of its depth we have already given -some idea, but the most singular feature of the whole strange -place--the feature which made it impossible to regard it as a mere -giant volcano--was a slender spire of rock that shot up from its -unknown floor to about the same height as the surrounding rim. It -might be compared to a Cleopatra's Needle set in a well, or else to -the stamen of some egregious petrified flower. Or from the sailor's -point of view (considering the spot where he stood as mainland) it -was an islet left bare by a dried-up sea. Nor was it a desert -island. It was inhabited, or at any rate it was built upon. There -was a castle on it which it was just large enough to hold. The outer -walls merged straight down as if one piece with the wall of rock upon -which they were founded. From the front entrance, a bridge of -marble, with rails of gold, spanned the abyss that separated the -castle from the mountain. - -While Marquard was making these observations, the Hungarian took -stock of him with his single eye. When the sailor had apparently -sucked in all his environment, Teremtette asked him, what seemed on -the face of it, a neediest question. - -"What do you see?" - -"I see a castle, whiter than a bride, uplift upon yon mast of stone." - -"What else do you see?" - -"I see a bridge across the airy moat that parts us from that -fantastic crow's nest." - -"That castle and that bridge are of my architecture. If you consider -as child's play all that you _have_ dared--if you are willing to -_begin_ to show high courage--you can follow me within its gates." - -He walked towards the bridge, crossed it, and disappeared within the -castle walls. The galley slave sat down, and gazed at the fairy -fabric in something very much like indecision. He felt among his -garments to see if he still possessed the talisman, the witch's -parting gift. It was there. He drew it forth and looked at it. A -little shrivelled pellet, of some unknown dried substance, it was as -much of an enigma to him as ever. He laid it upon the rock on which -he sat, and turned again towards the castle. To his horror and -astonishment it was losing its clearness of outline. It -became--along with the bridge--semi-transparent. He could see -through them both. They grew thinner, and thinner. They faded into -little more than mist. Ultimately nothing of either was any more -visible. Only the bare pillar stood up in the midst of the chasm. -But no--there was a figure upon the now tonsured rock--it was the -figure of the Hungarian. A moment's thought explained this. The -castle alone was unsubstantial. In disappearing it left revealed the -man that had been within it. He was too far off for the sailor to be -sure of what he was engaged on. There ran through all Marquard's -veins a current of fear. He felt helpless in the presence of all -this glamour that he did not understand. He looked round for his -only friend--the amulet--thank God! it was still there. He snatched -it up, resolved never more to let it away from him. And then another -wonderful thing occurred. The castle and its bridge again gradually -appeared in sight. The sailor began to suspect the rules of the -game. He could not forbear to put the talisman down again for a -moment. The outlines of the magical buildings grew immediately dim. -He took up the ball. Their solidity was immediately restored. He -now knew his bearings. There could be no longer any doubt. Apart -from their creator--the Hungarian--the castle and bridge were only -visible to the holder of that wizened trifle. Marquard packed it -away, with heightened respect, and deliberately walked up to, and -across, the bridge. It rang substantial enough under his feet, for -him to almost doubt the truth of what he had just seen. He was too -near his enemy to hazard any more experiments. He found him in a -goodly, square, and most singularly wall-papered room, inasmuch as -each of its walls--where not pierced for a door--was one vast mirror. -In the centre stood a table loaded with every delicacy in and out of -season. At each side of the table was placed a luxurious chair. The -Hungarian pointed to one of these and spoke. - -"I bid you to this last supper, in the name of those that hold this -house, if you dare sit down and feast." - -"I dare do anything in _your_ company." - -"Then eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow one of us two dies. -That, I believe, was the intention, with which you accompanied me -hither?" - -"You are right therein, as always." - -"Then for an hour we will proclaim a truce to all our differences. -We will pledge the survivor in flowing bowls from vintages of a -thousand years. Wine you shall have creating thirst and woman -creating desire. That is if you can call her woman that tempted Adam -out of Paradise." - -"To whom do you refer?" - -"To Lilith, Eve's rival, queen of all damnations!" - -"Was it for _her_, then, that you sold your soul and swopped an eye -with Satan?" - -"Ha-ha, you have heard that story. It is true that I left my eye in -pawn, but it is false that I received one in exchange. This is not -an eye at all--this Evil Eye as they call it--whose beam is supposed -to blight wherever it falls. In your own person you have tested its -perfect harmlessness." - -He paused, as if to see whether the sailor had swallowed this more -than doubtful statement. The latter made no sign. The wizard then -proceeded to lift his sinister eyelid, until the fiery stab of the -Evil Eye was a second time unveiled. As before it had no effect -whatever on Marquard. The magician then lifted his finger to it, and -with a twist turned the apparent eye-ball out of its socket. It -slipped over the finger that had released it, and in so doing shewed -what it really was. It was a _ring_, set with an enormous blazing -stone! - -Yes, this was the fabled Evil Eye, this innocent circlet of gold with -its flashing stone. The magician obligingly extended the hand that -now wore it, to the end that Marquard might examine it more minutely. -As he got accustomed to its baleful glare, he perceived that this was -not generated by the gem itself. The gem was hollow, and served -merely as a receptacle for something _alive_ that crouched within. -From the eyes of this living weevil--or devil--or whatever it -was--streamed the poison of ill-effect which the public had thought -to proceed from an Evil Eye. Nor were they wrong after all, only -that there were two evil eyes, and their owner to boot--instead of -one. But even this was only the beginning of the Hungarian's -surprises. Having allowed the sailor to gaze long enough upon the -ring, he rested the hand that wore it upon a chair. Then with the -other hand he just touched the gem at his side. It flew open and the -creature that lived in it came forth. She increased in size--the -sailor saw that it was a woman--a woman, whose beauty would have -blinded the severest eye. She would have seduced an anchorite to -dimpled sin. - -"You see," laughed the Hungarian, "that, if I got no eye from the -devil, he gave me a rib out of his side." - -When she had reached the height of her companion Lilith stopped -growing, and sat down upon her chair. The magician seated himself at -one hand of her, the sailor at the other, and looked inquiringly -towards the vacant place that fronted her. The Hungarian intercepted -his glance, and grinned. - -"Look at the mirror, man," he cried, "there are more guests here--and -more august--than you imagine." - -The galley-slave looked at the mirror behind the vacant side of the -table, and started from his seat in sudden terror. The mirror -reflected the back of someone as if occupying that chair, which -nevertheless still stood in front of it, empty. The sailor looked -from chair to mirror--from mirror to chair again--but there was no -mistaking that weird fact. His hair stood up. He sank into his -seat. He snatched to his white lips the first goblet that came to -hand. The magician at once took up his own glass and cried out, -mockingly, - -"I second your toast! To the health of our guest--the Orb and -Sceptre of all the hells!" - -From that the orgie waxed fast and furious. They swam in music. The -room was grey with incense. Their lights were balls of coloured fire -that flashed in the air, and ever and anon dropping into their cups -hissed like snapdragons. Songs were sung that fallen angels had -brought from paradise. Tales were told of doings done before the -world was planned. But who sung, and who narrated was beyond the -sailor's ken, a-swim as he was with wine and witchery. He grew more -and more bemused. The table whirled round and round. The viands -slipped away from his hands, when he turned to look at his fair -neighbour he could only find the one eye of the Hungarian. The -mirrors gave back distortions. All was confusion and delusion, and -mocking laughter in his ears. After a brave attempt to keep his -head, he rolled upon the floor. The vintages of a thousand years had -done their work. - -When he awoke, with a splitting headache, the room was clear. The -Hungarian paced up and dawn at one end. A glance at him sufficed to -show that the matchless ring had been restored to its socket. - -"Ha-ha," laughed the sorcerer, "are you looking for the girl you were -so sweet on last night? Behold her!" He lifted his eyelid, and -there flashed forth coquettish lights from the prisoner of the gem. - -The sailor sprang to his feet. - -"Arch and unheard-of juggler," he cried, "your play is played, and -your curtain is nigh to ringing down. You have done the devil's -work--beshrew the like!--and you shall get the devil's wages. You -shall rue the day you brought me here." - -"The nightmare be your bride! Were you not girt with an adverse fate -you had dawned in a fiercer place than this! And now, if you are -bent upon a duel--and the laws of hospitality do not protect me--I -will even let you take the lead." - -"Then look to yourself, witch-master!" cried the sailor, drawing a -rusty pistol from his long sea-boot. He took aim, and fired; the -bullet struck the Hungarian, and _rebounded_. A peal of laughter -shook the hall. - -"The devil kiss your lips!" cried the sorcerer; "you have no reach -for me! But try again if you like before I set my foot on the neck -of your revenge." - -The sailor considered. It was no use wasting another leaden bullet -on a man who was evidently impregnable to such. He remembered that a -silver button cut from one's coat was considered sovereign against a -wizard when all else failed. But, unfortunately, Marquard wore no -silver buttons, and very few buttons of any kind. An idea struck -him, there was the magic ball that the witch had given him. It was -true that, if it flew wide of its mark, he would have staked, and -lost, his all; since he would no longer boast any influence to -protect him. On the other hand, he felt a presentiment that it would -not fail him. In any case the sorcerer, who was aware by this time -of his possession of the talisman, seemed, from his good humour, to -have forged some device by which he could counteract it. Marquard -threw his scruples to the wind, and rammed the amulet into the pistol. - -"I will bring your royal insolence a-dust," he cried, "in hackneyed, -unoriginal death for all that you are the devil's fetch and carry!" - -He fired. Thunder shook the furthest stars. The room was full of -fÅ“tid smoke. As it partially cleared away, the galley-slave saw -his enemy lying supine upon the ground. He crept up to him, still -misdoubting, and touched him gingerly. He was dead. But when -Marquard came to look upon his face, he started back surprised, all -trace of the ring had entirely disappeared. Both the sorcerer's eyes -were open, and both were now a match. But whence had come back this -long-lost eye? It was the ball which the witch had handed over to -Marquard--the ball which Marquard had loaded into his pistol--the -ball which had steered unerring to its ancient seat, and ousted the -usurper which it found there. Marquard reverently lifted the fallen -pride of wizardry and carried him gently to the outer gate. This man -upon whom he had served the warrant of that bowelless -catch-poll--Death, this clay, after all was said and done, had once -been boyhood like himself. Lovers of one girl the tunes of their two -lives were built upon the same bottom note. It was with tenderness -that Marquard tossed the body into the abyss. He did not know how -soon he was to follow it. It had scarcely disappeared when he became -aware from the thinning of the castle that he had unwittingly got rid -of the power which enabled him to cross the bridge. The golden -railing had already vanished. He started to run, but the marble -under his feet was softening, and he sank in it to the ankles at -every step. A little further and his legs went through to the knee. -With incredible exertions he reached the centre, but could go no -further. He floundered in the fast ebbing material, hopelessly, to -the waist. Then he sank to his armpits--spread out his arms so as to -hold yet a second to life--but finally the last remnants of the -bridge evaporated, and he fell plumb into the gulf, turning over and -over in his fall. - - - - -THE WITCHES' SABBATH. - -Our scene is one of those terrific peaks set apart by tradition as -the trysting place of wizards and witches, and of every kind of folk -that prefers dark to day. - -It might have been Mount Elias, or the Brocken, associated with -Doctor Faustus. It might have been the Horsel or Venusberg of -Tannhaeuser, or the Black Forest. Enough that it was one of these. - -Not a star wrinkled the brow of night. Only in the distance the -twinkling lights of some town could be seen. Low down in the skirts -of the mountain rode a knight, followed closely by his page. We say -a knight, because he had once owned that distinction. But a wild and -bloody youth had tarnished his ancient shield; the while it kept -bright and busy his ancestral sword. Behold him now, little better -than a highwayman. Latterly he had wandered from border to border, -without finding where to rest his faithful steed. All authority was -in arms against him; Hageck, the wild knight, was posted throughout -Germany. More money was set upon his head than had ever been put -into his pocket. Pikemen and pistoliers had dispersed his following. -None remained to him whom he could call his own, save this stripling -who still rode sturdily at the tail of his horse. Him also, the -outlaw had besought, even with tears, to abandon one so ostensibly -cursed by stars and men. But in vain. The boy protested that he -would have no home, save in his master's shadow. - -They were an ill-assorted pair. The leader was all war-worn and -weather-worn. Sin had marked him for its own and for the wages of -sin. The page was young and slight, and marble pale. He would have -looked more at home at the silken train of some great lady, than -following at these heels from which the gilded spurs had long been -hacked. Nevertheless, the music of the spheres themselves sings not -more sweetly in accord than did these two hearts. - -The wild knight, Hageck, had ascended the mountain as far as was -possible to four-legged roadsters. Therefore he reined in his horse -and dismounted, and addressed his companion. His voice was now quite -gentle, which on occasion could quench mutiny, and in due season dry -up the taste of blood in the mouths of desperate men. - -"Time is that we must part, Enno." - -"Master, you told me we need never part." - -"Let be, child, do you not understand me? I hope with your own -heart's hope that we shall meet again to-morrow in this same tarrying -place. But I have not brought you to so cursed a place without some -object. When I say that we must part, I mean that you must take -charge of our horses while I go further up the mountain upon -business, which for your own sake you must never share." - -"And is this your reading of the oath of our brotherhood which we -swore together?" - -"The oath of our brotherhood, I fear, was writ in water. You are, in -fact, the only one of all my company that has kept faith with me. -For that very reason I would not spare your neck from the halter, nor -your limbs from the wheel. But also for that very reason I will not -set your immortal soul in jeopardy." - -"My immortal soul! Is this business then unhallowed that you go -upon? Now I remember me that this mountain at certain seasons is -said to be haunted by evil spirits. Master, you also are bound by -our path to tell me all." - -"You shall know all, Enno, were oaths even cheaper than they are. -You have deserved by your devotion to be the confessor of your -friend." - -"Friend is no name for companionship such as ours. I am sure you -would die for me. I believe I could die for you, Hageck." - -"Enough, you have been more than brother to me. I had a brother -once, after the fashion of this world, and it is his envious hand -which has placed me where I stand. That was before I knew you, Enno, -and it is some sweets in my cup at any rate, that had he not betrayed -me I should never have known you. Nevertheless, you will admit that -since he robbed me of the girl I loved, even your loyal heart is a -poor set off for what fate and fraternity took from me. In fine, we -both loved the same girl, but she loved me, and would have none of my -brother. She was beautiful, Enno--how beautiful you can never guess -that have not yet loved." - -"I have never conceived any other love than that I bear you." - -"Tush, boy, you know not what you say. But to return to my story. -One day that I was walking with her my brother would have stabbed me. -She threw herself between and was killed upon my breast." - -He tore open his clothes at the throat and showed a great faded stain -upon his skin. - -"The hangman's brand shall fade," he cried, "ere that wash out. -Accursed be the mother that bore me seeing that she also first bore -him! The devil squat down with him in his resting, lie with him in -his sleeping, as the devil has sat and slept with me every noon and -night since that deed was done. Never give way to love of woman, -Enno, lest you lose the one you love, and with her lose the balance -of your life." - -"Alas! Hageck, I fear I never shall." - -"Since that miscalled day, blacker than any night, you know as well -as any one the sort of death in life I led. I had the good or evil -luck to fall in with some broken men like myself, fortune's foes and -foes of all whom fortune cherishes, you among them. Red blood, red -gold for a while ran through our fingers. Then a turn of the wheel, -and, presto, my men are squandered to every wind that blows--I am a -fugitive with a price upon my head!" - -"And with one comrade whom, believe me, wealth is too poor to buy." - -"A heart above rubies. Even so. To such alone would I confide my -present purpose. You must know that my brother was a student of -magic of no mean repute, and before we quarrelled had given me some -insight into its mysteries. Now that I near the end of my tether I -have summed up all the little I knew, and am resolved to make a -desperate cast in this mountain of despair. In a word, I intend to -hold converse with my dead sweetheart before I die. The devil shall -help me to it for the love he bears me." - -"You would invoke the enemy of all mankind?" - -"Him and none other. Aye, shudder not, nor seek to turn me from it. -I have gone over it again and again. The gates of Hell are set no -firmer than this resolve." - -"God keep Hell far from you when you call it!" - -"I had feared my science was of too elementary an order to conduct an -exorcism under any but the most favourable circumstances. Hence our -journey hither. This place is one of those where parliaments of evil -are held, where dead and living meet on equal ground. To-night is -the appointed night of one of these great Sabbaths. I propose to -leave you here with the horses. I shall climb to the topmost peak, -draw a circle that I may stand in for my defence, and with all the -vehemence of love deferred, pray for my desire." - -"May all good angels speed you!" - -"Nay, I have broken with such. Your good wish, Enno, is enough." - -"But did we not hear talk in the town about a hermit that spent his -life upon the mountain top, atoning for some sin in day-long prayer -and mortification? Can this evil fellowship of which you speak still -hold its meetings upon a spot which has been attached in the name of -Heaven by one good man?" - -"Of this hermit I knew nothing until we reached the town. It was -then too late to seek another workshop. Should what you say be -correct, and this holy man have purged this plague spot, I can do no -worse than pass the night with him, and return to you. But should -the practices of witch and wizard continue as of yore, then the -powers of evil shall draw my love to me, be she where she may. Aye, -be it in that most secret nook of heaven where God retires when He -would weep, and where even archangels are never suffered to tread." - -"O all good go with you!" - -"Farewell, Enno, and if I never return count my soul not so lost but -what you may say a prayer for it now and again, when you have -leisure." - -"I will not outlive you!" - -The passionate words were lost on Hageck, who had already climbed so -far as to be out of hearing. He only knew vaguely that something was -shouted to him, and waved his hand above his head for a reply. On -and on he climbed. Time passed. The way grew harder. At last -exhausted, but fed with inward exaltation, he reached the summit. It -was of considerable extent and extremely uneven. The first thing our -hero noticed was the cave of the hermit. It could be nothing else, -although it was closed with an iron door. A new departure, thought -Hageck to himself, as he hammered upon it with the pommel of his -sword, for a hermit's cell to be locked in like a fortress. - -"Open, friend," he cried, "in heaven's name, or in that of the other -place if you like it better." - -The noise came from within of a bar being removed. The door opened. -It revealed a mere hole in the rock, though large enough, it is true, -to hold a considerable number of persons. Furniture was conspicuous -by its absence. There was no sign even of a bed, unless a coffin -that grinned in one corner served the occupant's needs. A skull, a -scourge, a crucifix, a knife for his food, what more does such a -hermit want? His feet were bare, his head was tonsured, but his -eyebrows were long and matted, and fell like a screen over burning -maniacal eyes. A fanatic, every inch of him. He scrutinised the -invader from top to toe. Apparently the result was unsatisfactory. -He frowned. - -"A traveller," said he, "and at this unholy hour. Back, back, do you -not know the sinister reputation of this time and place?" - -"I know your reputation to be of the highest, reverend father; I -could not credit what rumour circulates about this mountain top when -I understood that one of such sanctity had taken up a perpetual abode -here." - -"My abode is fixed here for the very reason that it is a realm of -untold horror. My task is to win back, if I can, to the dominion of -the church this corner, which has been so long unloved that it cries -aloud to God and man. This position of my own choice is no sinecure. -Hither at stated times the full brunt of the Sabbath sweeps to its -rendezvouz. Here I defy the Sabbath. You see that mighty door?" - -"I had wondered, but feared to ask, what purpose such a barrier could -serve in such a miserable place." - -"You may be glad to crouch behind it if you stay here much longer. -At midnight, Legion, with all the swirl of all the hells at his back, -will sweep this summit like a tornado. Were you of the stuff that -never trembles, yet you shall hear such sounds as shall melt your -backbone. Avoid hence while there is yet time." - -"But you, if you remain here, why not I?" - -"I remain here as a penance for a crime I did, a crime which almost -takes prisoner my reason, so different was it from the crime I set -out to do, so deadly death to all my hopes. I am on my knees -throughout the whole duration of this pandemonium that I tell you of, -and count thick and fast my beads during the whole time. Did I cease -for one second to pray, that second would be my last. The roof of my -cavern would descend and efface body and soul. But you, what would -you do here?" - -"I seek my own ends, for which I am fully prepared. To confer with a -shade from the other world I place my own soul in jeopardy. For the -short time that must elapse, before the hour arrives when I can work, -I ask but a trifle of your light and fire." - -"The will-o'-the-wisp be your light, Saint Anthony's your fire! Do -you not recognise me?" - -The wild knight bent forward and gazed into the hermit's inmost eye, -then started back, and would have fallen had his head not struck the -iron door. This recalled him to his senses, and after a moment he -stood firm again, and murmured between his teeth, "My brother!" - -"Your brother," repeated the holy man, "your brother, whose -sweetheart you stole and drove me to madness and crime." - -"I drove you to no madness, I drove you to no crime. The madness, -the crime you expiate here, were all of your own making. She loved -me, and me alone--you shed her blood, by accident I confess, yet you -shed it, and not all the prayers of your lifetime can gather up one -drop of it. What soaked into my own brain remains there for ever, -though I have sought to wash it out with an ocean of other men's -blood." - -"And I," replied the hermit, and he tore his coarse frock off his -shoulders, "I have sought to drown it with an ocean of my own." - -He spoke truth. Blood still oozed from his naked flesh, ploughed -into furrows by the scourge. - -"You, that have committed so many murders," he continued, "and who -have reproached me so bitterly for one, all the curses of your dying -victims, all the curses I showered upon you before I became reformed -have not availed to send you yet to the gibbet or to the wheel. You -are one that, like the basil plant, grows ever the rifer for cursing. -I remember I tried to lame you, after you left home, by driving a -rusty nail into one of your footsteps, but the charm refused to work. -You were never the worse for it that I could hear. They say the -devil's children have the devil's luck. Yet some day shall death -trip up your heels." - -"Peace, peace," cried the wild horseman, "let ill-will be dead -between us, and the bitterness of death be passed, as befits your -sacred calling. Even if I see her for one moment to-night, by the -aid of the science you once taught me, will you not see her for -eternity in heaven some near day?" - -"In heaven," cried the hermit, "do I want to see her in heaven? On -earth would I gladly see her again and account that moment cheap if -weighed against my newly discovered soul! But that can never be. -Not the art you speak of, not all the dark powers which move men to -sin, can restore her to either of us as she was that day. And she -loved you. She died to save you. You have nothing to complain of. -But to me she was like some chaste impossible star." - -"I loved her most," muttered the outlaw. - -"You loved her most," screamed the hermit. "Hell sit upon your eyes! -Put it to the test. Look around. Do you see anything of her here?" - -The other Hageck gazed eagerly round the cave, but without fixing -upon anything. - -"I see nothing," he was forced to confess. - -The hermit seized the skull and held it in front of his eyes. - -"This is her dear head," he cried, "fairer far than living red and -white to me!" - -The wild knight recoiled with a gasp of horror, snatched the ghastly -relic from the hand of his brother, and hurled it over the precipice. -He put his fingers over his eyes and fell to shaking like an aspen. -For a moment the hermit scarcely seemed to grasp his loss. Then with -a howl of rage he seized his brother by the throat. - -"You have murdered her," he shrieked in tones scarcely recognisable, -"she will be dashed to a hundred pieces by such a fall!" - -He threw the outlaw to the ground and, retreating to his cave, -slammed the door behind him, but his heart-broken sobs could still be -heard distinctly. It was very evident that he was no longer in his -right mind. The wild knight rose somewhat painfully and limped to a -little distance where he perceived a favourable spot for erecting his -circle. The sobbing of the crazed hermit presently ceased. He was -aware that his rival had entered upon his operations! The hermit -re-opened his door that he might more clearly catch the sound of what -his foe was engaged upon. Every step was of an absorbing interest to -the solitary as to the man who made it. Anon the hermit started to -his feet. He fancied he heard another voice replying to his brother. -Yes, it was a voice he seemed to know. He rushed out of the cave. A -girlish figure clad in a stained dress was clasped in his brother's -arms. Kiss after kiss the wild knight was showering upon brow, and -eye, and cheek, and lip. The girl responded as the hermit had surely -seen her do once before. He flew to his cave. He grasped the knife -he used for his food. He darted like an arrow upon the startled -pair. The woman tried to throw herself in front of her lover, but -the hermit with a coarse laugh, "Not twice the dagger seeks the same -breast," plunged it into the heart of her companion. The wild knight -threw up his arms and without a cry fell to the ground. The girl -uttered a shriek that seemed to rive the skies and flung herself -across her dead. The hermit gazed at it stupidly and rubbed his -eyes. He seemed like one dazed, but slowly recovering his senses. -Suddenly he started, came as it were to himself, and pulled the girl -by the shoulder. - -"We have not a minute to lose," he cried, "the great Sabbath is all -but due. If his body remains out here one second after the stroke of -twelve, his soul will be lost to all eternity. It will be snatched -by the fiends who even now are bound to it. Do you not see yon -shadowy hosts--but I forget, you are not a witch." - -"I see nothing," she replied, sullenly, rising up and peering round. -The night was clear, but starless. - -"I have been a wizard," he answered, "and once a wizard always a -wizard, though I now fight upon the other side. Take my hand and you -will see." - -She took his hand, and screamed as she did so. For at the instant -there became visible to her these clouds of loathsome beings that -were speeding thither from every point of the compass. Warlock, and -witch, and wizard rode post on every conceivable graceless mount. -Their motion was like the lightning of heaven, and their varied -cries--owlet hoot, caterwaul, dragon-shout--the horn of the Wild -Hunter, and the hurly of risen dead--vied with the bay of Cerberus to -the seldseen moon. A forest of whips was flourished aloft. The -whirr of wings raised dozing echoes. The accustomed mountain shook -and shivered like a jelly, with the fear of their onset. - -The girl dropped his hand and immediately lost the power of seeing -them. She had learned at any rate that what he said was true. - -"Help me to carry the body to the cave," cried he, and in a moment it -was done. The corpse was placed in the coffin of his murderer. Then -the hermit crashed his door to its place. Up went bolts and bars. -Some loose rocks that were probably the hermit's chairs and tables -were rolled up to afford additional security. - -"And now," demanded the man, "now that we have a moment of breathing -space, tell me what woman-kind are you whom I find here with my -brother? That you are not her I know (woe is me that I have good -reason to know) yet you are as like her as any flower that blows. I -loved her, and I murdered her, and I have the right to ask, who and -what are you that come to disturb my peace?" - -"I am her sister." - -"Her sister! Yes, I remember you. You were a child in those days. -Neither I nor my brother (God rest his soul!), neither of us noticed -you." - -"No, he never took much notice of me. Yet I loved him as well as she -did." - -"You, too, loved him," whispered the hermit, as if to himself; "what -did he do to be loved by two such women?" - -"Yes, I loved him, though he never knew it, but I may confess it now, -for you are a priest of a sort, are you not, you that shrive with -steel?" - -"You are bitter, like your sister. She was always so with me." - -"I owe you my story," she replied more gently; "when she died and he -fell into evil courses and went adrift with bad companions, I found I -could not live without him, nor with anyone else, and I determined to -become one of them. I dressed in boy's clothes and sought enlistment -into his company of free lances. He would have driven me from him, -saying it was no work for such as I, yet at last I wheedled it from -him. I think there was something in my face (all undeveloped as it -was and stained with walnut juice) that reminded him of her he had -lost. I followed him faithfully through good and evil, cringing for -a look or word from him. We were at last broken up (as you know) and -I alone of all his sworn riders remained to staunch his wounds. He -brought me hither that he might wager all the soul that was left to -him on the chance of evoking her spirit. I had with me the dress my -sister died in, that I had cherished through all my wanderings, as my -sole reminder of her life and death. I put it on after he had left -me, and followed him as fast as my strength would allow me. My -object was to beguile him with what sorry pleasure I could, while at -the same time saving him from committing the sin of disturbing the -dead. God forgive me if there was mixed with it the wholly selfish -yearning to be kissed by him once, only once, in my true character as -loving woman, rid of my hated disguise! I have had my desire, and it -has turned to apples of Sodom on my lips. You are right. All we can -do now is to preserve his soul alive." - -She fell on her knees beside the coffin. The hermit pressed his -crucifix into her hands. - -"Pray!" he cried, and at the same moment the distant clock struck -twelve. There came a rush of feet, a thunder at the iron door, the -cave rocked like a ship's cabin abruptly launched into the trough of -a storm. An infernal whooping and hallooing filled the air outside, -mixed with it imprecations that made the strong man blanch. The -banner of Destruction was unfurled. All the horned heads were upon -them. Thrones and Dominions, Virtues, Princes, Powers. All hell was -loose that night, and the outskirts of Hell. - -The siege had begun. The hermit told his beads with feverish -rapidity. One Latin prayer after another rolled off his tongue in -drops of sweat. The girl, to whom these were unintelligible, tried -in vain to think of prayers. All she could say, as she pressed the -Christ to her lips, was "Lord of my life! My Love." She scarcely -heard the hurly-burly that raged outside. Crash after crash -resounded against the door, but good steel tempered with holy water -is bad to beat. Showers of small pieces of rock fell from the -ceiling and the cave was soon filled with dust. Peals of hellish -cachinnation resounded after each unsuccessful attempt to break down -that defence. Living battering rams pressed it hard, dragon's spur, -serpent's coil, cloven hoof, foot of clay. Tall Iniquities set their -backs to it, names of terror, girt with earthquake. All the swart -crew dashed their huge bulk against it, rakehelly riders, humans and -superhumans, sin and its paymasters. The winds well nigh split their -sides with hounding of them on. Evil stars in their courses fought -against it. The seas threw up their dead. Haunted houses were no -more haunted that night. Graveyards steamed. Gibbets were empty. -The ghoul left his half-gnawn corpse, the vampire his victim's -throat. Buried treasures rose to earth's surface that their ghostly -guardians might swell the fray. Yet the hermit prayed on, and the -woman wept, and the door kept its face to the foe. Will the hour of -release never strike? Crested Satans now lead the van. Even steel -cannot hold out for ever against those in whose veins instead of -blood, runs fire. At last it bends ever so little, and the devilish -hubbub is increased tenfold. - -"Should they break open the door--" yelled the hermit, making a -trumpet of his hands, yet she could not hear what he shouted above -the abominable din, nor had he time to complete his instructions. -For the door did give, and that suddenly, with a clang that was heard -from far off in the town, and made many a burgher think the last -trump had come. The rocks that had been rolled against the door flew -off in every direction, and a surging host--and the horror of it was -that they were invisible to the girl--swept in. - -The hermit tore his rosary asunder, and scattered the loose beads in -the faces of the fiends. - -"Hold fast the corpse!" he yelled, as he was trampled under foot, and -this time he made himself heard. The girl seized the long hair of -her lover pressed it convulsively, and swooned. - -Years afterwards (as it seemed to her) she awakened and found the -chamber still as death, and--yes--this was the hair of death which -she still clutched in her dead hand. She kissed it a hundred times -before it brought back to her where she was and what had passed. She -looked round then for the hermit. He, poor man, was lying as if also -dead. But when she could bring herself to release her hoarded -treasure, she speedily brought him to some sort of consciousness. He -sat up, not without difficulty, and looked around. But his mind, -already halfway to madness, had been totally overturned by what had -occurred that woeful night. - -"We have saved his soul between us," she cried. "What do I not owe -you for standing by me in that fell hour?" - -He regarded her in evident perplexity. "I cannot think how you come -to be wearing that blood-stained dress of hers," was all he replied. - -"I have told you," she said, gently, "but you have forgotten that I -cherished it through all my wanderings as my sole memento of her -glorious death. She laid down the last drop of her blood for him. -She chose the better part. But I! my God! what in the world is to -become of me?" - -"I had a memento of her once," he muttered. "I had her beautiful -head, but I have lost it." - -"That settles it," she said, "you shall cut off mine." - - - - -"THE DEVIL'S DEBT." - -Somewhere about the Middle Ages--somewhere in a mediaeval -town---there lived a man who walked always on the shady side of the -way. None of his neighbours could have assigned a reason why he -should only tread where the lapse of time leaves no trace on the -dial, yet so it was. None had ever seen him in sunshine. - -This man was known by the name of Porphyro, though we may reasonably -doubt if it was given to him in baptism. For he belonged to a class -that baptised toads by night at their Sabbaths in mockery of the -baptism of babes by day. In a word, Porphyro was a wizard, and for -one circumstance (which will presently be mentioned) was perhaps -better known among his like than any practiser of the Black Art -before or since. - -There was, and likely enough still is, in Europe a University of the -occult sciences, buried underground, carved out of the roots of -mountains, far from the hum of men. Here taught weird -professors--eerie, eldritch, elflocked. Here came weird students to -tread the intoxicating wine-press of magical study. Your true wizard -is set apart from birth by some particularity which bespeaks his -vocation. To the University came representatives of every class -which felt this call. Here was the demoniac and the stigmatic, the -abortion and the albino, the hermaphrodite and the changeling, the -hag-ridden and the pixy-led, sleep-walker, Cesarean, Sunday-child, -seventh son, and he that is born with the caul. This motley crew was -of as many hues as there are ends of the earth. Many tongued as -Mithridates, all wrote their notes by common consent in the lingua -angelorum. - -The University boasted a laboratory of at least a hundred paces in -length and proportionately broad and high. A mock sun gave it cold -light by day, and a mock moon by night. Here experiments in exorcism -were conducted, of course under the strictest supervision of the -principals. Here the students learned that the ghosts of dead men -(having, always some of the old Adam that was unpurged from them), -are easier to call back to us than elemental spirits can be wrenched -from their eternal spheres. The most trivial task (and therefore -that of the junior classes), was to re-incarnate some suicide, set in -four cross roads, whose soul still hovered like a noxious gas about -the only body where it could hope to find toleration. The pupils -were very properly forbidden to incur the danger of repeating these -experiments in private. Nevertheless something of the kind went on -under the rose. As a rule the novices (and these were after all the -lucky ones), ignominiously failed in their attempts to storm the -outworks of hell. They knew how to call spirits from the vasty deep, -but the spirits refused to come when they did call them. One youth, -however, boasted that he had raised the devil, or at any rate, a -devil He described him to his bosom friends nearly as follows:-- - -"A great and full stature, soft and phlegmatic, of colour like a -black obscure cloud, having a swollen countenance, with eyes red and -full of water, a bald head, and teeth like a wild boar." - -One of the listeners, doubtless jealous, attempted to cheapen this -success of his companion, by remarking that an exorcist, if worth his -salt, should be able to make the spirit appear in what guise he chose. - -"Then, by the belt of Venus," swore a third, "I would command it to -appear as a lovely girl, with longer hair and smaller feet than any -on this top which the Almighty set spinning and dubbed earth." - -Another poor fellow appears to have been so inflamed with the -suggestion of this rustler, that he tried to bring it into the sphere -of practical politics. He was never seen alive again. Not answering -to his name at the roll-call next morning, his bedroom was visited, -and a thin trickle of blood found oozing under the door. One of the -search party put a pistol to the lock and fired. The door flew open. -A cry burst from all present, and some of the youngest, covering -their faces with their hands, fled. The body of the devoted wretch -who had played with unholy fire, was scattered parcel meal about the -room. The lopped limbs were twisted round into spirals as if -boneless. One of stronger stomach than the rest of the onlookers, -and who examined them more closely, declared that the bone had melted -and run out under some incredible heat. One of the teachers opined -that if the demon had only breathed upon the bone, it would have been -enough to fuse it. There were no more experiments in students' rooms. - -Apart from such accidental deaths, the Academy paid a regular yearly -rent of one living soul to hell, and woe unto teachers and taught had -they lapsed into arrear one day. The victim who was to suffer, that -the rest might live and learn, was selected in the following -traditional manner. The whole of the pupils toed a line at one -extreme end of the hall, and, at a given signal, raced to the -opposite door. There was, as may be imagined, a terrible struggle to -pass through the hangings. The last to cross the threshold was -hugged to hell by the awaiting fiend. It was on such an occasion -that Porphyro earned the unique distinction, alluded to above, of -having successfully cozened the Prince of Darkness himself. Strain -as he might, he was the last to touch the winning post. His -competitors, who now breathed themselves in safety in the lobby, had -given him up for lost. But no piercing shriek of dissolution stabbed -the air, no fiendish laughter made horrible the echoes. Instead, -voices were heard, until presently their comrade rejoined those who -had already mourned him. Amid a scene of the wildest excitement, he -was dragged into the light. Something unprecedented must obviously -have occurred. His hair had turned snowy white. Those fell back who -looked first into his eyes, for they saw in them reflected the face -of Hell himself. The tale which Porphyro told them was in substance -this, that when he arrived last at the curtains, and already felt the -breath of punishment upon his cheek, there occurred to him one -loophole of escape. He turned desperately at bay, like hunted -quarry, and roundly told the scrutineer that all he could claim by -the letter of his bond was Porphyro's shadow. That was the last -living thing which passed out of the lists; and not Porphyro, who -preceded it. Strange as it may seem, after a few heated words, the -justice of this quibble was acknowledged by the father of all such -juggleries. He bore off the shadow with a sort of smile, that was -more terrible than men's frown, and lo and behold! when the -schoolfellows, with one accord, looked down at the feet of him who -had so miraculously escaped the infernal maw, they saw that Porphyro -was, as he ever afterwards remained, shadowless. And now our readers -can guess why our hero walked always on the shady side of the way. - -Nothing had ever been known (even in circles like this) so -successfully daring as this piece of evasion. Round and round the -whole round globe, by means only known to wizards, the news sped fast -to all the wizard world. It was proclaimed at every Sabbath, from -Blockula to the Brocken. The Lapland witch whispered it to the -Finland witch, as they sat tying up wind after wind in knots for -their seafaring customers. The Druids of Carnac knew it, and the -Persian devil worshippers. The Shamans of Siberia made a song of it -and beat their magic drums thereto. The magicians of Egypt pictured -it in their mirrors of ink. The African Obi men washed their great -fetish in the blood of a thousand virgins, and sent it as a present, -over the desert sands, to Porphyro. Even the medicine men heard of -it in the heart of an undiscovered continent, and emblazoned it upon -the walls of their medicine lodge. Everyone foresaw a brilliant -career for Porphyro. They fully expected him to disembowel Hell. -The reverse was what really happened. Instead of swinging himself at -once to the top round of the ladder, he showed no disposition to -trouble himself at all. He opened a private office in the town -referred to at the beginning of our story, and carried on a private -business in magic of the whitest kind. For him no monster -evocations, with a million demons at his beck and call, like the -Sicilian whom Benvenuto Cellini employed to conjure for him in the -Coliseum. Porphyro refused in the most stiff-necked manner to -exorcise on any terms for anyone. He confined himself solely to -pettyfogging business, such as writing talismans, and reckoning magic -squares, drawing horoscopes, and casting schemes of geomancy, -poisoning rivals for lovers, or close-fisted relatives for -spendthrift heirs. Need we state in black and white the reason -(concealed from everyone else), why he held his hand from higher -things? Oh, the humiliation of it! He was afraid! Yes, Porphyro -was afraid, even he, who had plucked a hair from the devil's beard, -for that very reason he was afraid. He had saved his soul alive, -losing only a shadow of little moment to him, but in return, he had -incurred the eternal enmity of one whose grudge had once shaken the -high heavens. The general adversary of all mankind was first and -beyond all things most ferociously Porphyro's adversary. Unhappy -Porphyro, who had already given seisin to hell, Porphyro with one -half of him already in the living devil's clutch, who never slept but -he dreamed of the tortures his poor shadow suffered at the hands of -those that lovingly work evil! Tortures, which were but -foreshadowings of his own! No wonder Porphyro dared not invoke even -the least of spirits. He knew too well that the mightiest of them -would appear with no greater calling than a word. - -But there was one antidote which wrestled with the nightshade in his -cup, one star of the right colour appeared above his horizon. There -was a woman in his town (one only for him) a princess and the ward of -a king, an exquisite beauty. From the first time he saw her, he -loved her with a passion which reproached his meaner self. She fed -upon his sighs, without knowing that the air she breathed was full of -them. In any case, he would never have dared to speak to her. It -was sufficient daily bread to him to see her move. He hung upon her -footsteps. He kept pace with her in her rides, running ever in the -shadow because he himself had no shadow to call his own. Yet he -forgot while looking at her this one great fact of his life. Even in -his dreams she presently held his hand while he suffered. And he -dreamed of her thus till he set his teeth in his pillow. Gradually -her little mouth sucked up all the breath of his body. He wrote -poems about his princess and swallowed them. Often he took no other -food for days. He made philtres which would infallibly have caused -her to love him, had he not ruthlessly thrown them all away as soon -as made. He constructed an image of her in wax, and worshipped it -five times daily. It was this which wrought his downfall. Certain -of his clients (they had not paid him) denounced him as a sorcerer. -Without notice he received a domiciliary visit from the authorities. -Apart from other evidence which the house contained, the wax image of -the princess was discovered, and he was at once charged with -intending to make away with her life. Oh, the irony of fate, he who -would have cheerfully laid down his own for her! Being forcibly -removed from his house, the secret he had so long kept was -discovered, and this shadowlessness, though accounted for in a -hundred ways, all wide of the truth, was added at once to the long -list of crimes in his indictment. At the preliminary examination, he -would confess nothing. He was accordingly imprisoned pending the -preparation of tortures to shake his resolution. With the aid of -these refinements, he might be made to confess anything, even that he -had attempted the life of his best beloved. The scaffold loomed -before him. And oh, that her name should be bandied about in such -context. - -Meanwhile Porphyro sat, body and soul in darkness. He saw none but -the jailer, who brought him food once daily, with a finger ever, on -his lips. Rats there were, and such small deer, but with these he -could hold no converse, although in his youth he had met with men who -professed to teach their languages, Porphyro was fain to chatter -constantly to himself that he might have no time to think. He played -his school games over again, rehearsed his school tasks to imaginary -masters, held imaginary conversations with clients and with his -parents long dead, and with his princess who was more than parent, -and more than dead to him. He wooed her in a thousand ways, now as -an emperor, raising her to his level, now as the meanest of her -grooms, to whom she sweetly condescended, now he was a soldier, -better used to red lips of wounds than red lips which wound, now he -was a scholar, who forgot all wisdom save hers, now he was a miser, -who came like Jupiter in a shower of gold. Thus riotous reigned -carnival before his coming Lent. - -And now comes the strangest part of all this strange eventful -history. He fancied once or twice that he was replied to as he -spoke. Again and again he groped all over the blind prison, and felt -no one. Yet there was of a surety a tongue which answered him. And -the weirdness of it was that, turn though he might, it always spoke -from behind him. Again he searched the litter of the dungeon, and -again without result. The voice was at first unintelligible, like -the murmur of the sea, yet with a cadence which soon struck his ear -as strangely familiar. He had heard it only once before, but it had -been in that cock-pit underground where he had fought a main which -had coloured his whole life. He was bound up with the memory of it -like a poor prisoner whom men fetter to a corpse. It was the still -small voice which dominates the brawl of Hell. - -His hair could grow no whiter, else it had done so. He listened with -all his ears and began to catch syllables and afterwards words, till -at last he made out that the Tempter was proposing terms of peace -with him. - -Right well knew Porphyro (none better), the price that must be paid -for such a truce. His soul must feed the quick of Hell. It seemed -hard to yield up at last that immortal henchman which he had once so -gloriously saved from these same talons. Yet what chance had he? On -the one hand, if he maintained his feud with the Evil One, the halter -was weaving which must strangle love and life. On the other part, if -he surrendered his soul to the Exile, he could at any rate make what -terms he pleased. And there were terms he pictured himself exacting -which made ultimate payment of the highest price seem easy to the -blood which had once stood face to face with Satan, and given him -better than he gave. Porphyro still continued to argue _pro_ and -_con_, though his decision was a foregone conclusion. At last he -formulated his demands to the spirit. He must marry the Princess. -He must be her husband, were it but for a single night. - -The walls of the dungeon suddenly became bright with a kind of -phosphorescent glow. Porphyro (still alone, or, at any rate, he -seemed so) saw a table standing in front of him, bearing a bond -already drawn and the materials for signing it. The terms set forth -were those he had himself proposed. He signed, sealed, and delivered -it, and was plunged into darkness again as his finger left the -parchment. A sense of infernal laughter pervaded the air, though -nothing was to be heard. Porphyro fell full length to the ground in -a fainting fit. - -When he recovered his jailer was standing over him, come (as he -thought) to bring him food, but he was soon disabused of any such -notion by the man himself. He, who had refused on all prior -occasions to hold converse with his prisoner, now spoke voluntarily -to tell him the sands of his captivity had run out. At first the -dazed cage bird (who had forgotten for the moment his compact) -believed that he was on the point of expiating his crimes, real and -imaginary, upon the scaffold. But the jailer, not without -difficulty, made it clear to him that all captives received pardon on -the joyous occasion of the marriage of their Princess, which was -fixed for that day. Then Porphyro remembered all, and swooned again. - -When he revived, our hero was sitting in the open air upon the steps -which led from the jail. He caught the smell of oxen roasting whole -in the market-place. The sky was red with the fires. The streets as -far as he could see them, were paved with flowers and, decorated with -triumphal arches. The citizens were bustling about in holiday -attire. Music seemed to be playing everywhere. Occasionally some -exuberant person fired off a gun. Porphyro rubbed his eyes and -wondered whether this could really be his wedding day. He had faith -in the boundless powers of the banner under which he had enrolled -himself. And yet was it possible? But his faith was amply -justified. An equerry suddenly rode up, parting the spectators to -right and left, leading a spare horse magnificently caparisoned, and -followed in the distance by a brilliant retinue. He doffed his cap -to Porphyro and sprang to the ground, and with a profound obeisance, -said in tones of deep respect:-- - -"I trust your Highness has recovered from your indisposition. I have -brought the horse as your Highness commanded." - -Porphyro dimly understood that some potent influence was at work on -his behalf. With the assistance of his squire he took to the saddle. -The latter then, with another bow, remounted his own horse, scattered -a handful of gold to each side to break up the crowd, and with the -rest of the train (which had caught up with them) they galloped to -the Cathedral. Porphyro noted with stupid surprise that all the -fountains spouted wine, whereto certain of the citizens, judging by -the hiccups which mingled with their cheers, had already applied -themselves, not wisely but too well. But our hero was in a state of -so great fog himself as to feel his heart warm more towards these -than to the soberer ones, whose salutations he clumsily returned. By -the time the Cathedral was reached, he was rolling in his saddle. He -could not have dismounted without help. The incense made him dizzy. -He could not get the ringing of the bells out of his ears. The -candles danced before his eyes. Of all the service he heard one -word, and that was uttered by one who stood beside him, and whom -alone he saw (and that through a mist) of all that gay assembly. It -was the Princess. He pressed her hand as if he would never part with -it. - -The service over, he had no idea how, or in what order they reached -the castle, and the banquet which followed was more or less of a -blank to him. The wines of which he partook liberally, could make -him no more drunk, nor all the compliments of all the fulsome -speeches (had he heard them) raise by one degree his pride. He -soared empyrean high in the thought that he had won the right to -crush into one cup, one moment, all the eternal delirium of all the -heavens. - -That moment of fruition had come at last. Porphyro stood in that -holy of holies, his princess's chamber. A guard of soldiers was -ranged along the four walls of this dainty nest. Each leaned with -one arm upon a pike, while with the other hand he held aloft a -blazing torch. Great personages were also present, both courtiers -and noble dames, and at last the bride herself was brought in by her -women. While complimentary discourse passed from mouth to mouth, -Porphyro longed with his whole bartered soul to be alone with her. -He was burning with internal fire which he could hold in little -longer. At last he approached one that appeared to act as master of -the ceremonies. - -"When is this rigmarole going to end?" he muttered between his teeth. - -"Whenever your Highness pleases to draw your sword and lay it in the -middle of the bed, the princess will take up her place upon one side -of it, while you occupy the other," was the reply. - -Porphyro started. He sorely recognised that voice. The official -kept his face averted, but it was undoubtedly the demon. - -"What mean you by this gabble of naked swords between me and her?" -thundered Porphyro, unheeding who might hear. "Damned posture -master, is she not my wife?" - -"Your wife, yes, but only by letters of procuration," and there was a -note of triumph in that voice. - -"God of the Judgment! What is that you say?" - -"I say you must be dreaming not to remember that you are only -temporarily united to the princess in your character of proxy for his -Imperial Majesty, the Holy Roman Emperor." - -"Alas the while! Then I am dreaming, indeed!" - -"These soldiers," continued the demon, "will remain here all night. -These ladies and gentlemen will also attend here till morning, to -entertain you and your bride of an hour through your somewhat tedious -spell of lying fully dressed together." - -"Death and the Pit! Is this true?" - -"True as death, assured as the pit. To-morrow you will sheathe your -sword, and depart from her for ever." - -Porphyro pressed his hands to his temples. He thought his brain -would burst. He saw it all now. He was the dupe of the fiend who -had once been his dupe. His place in this pageant had been contrived -with infernal subtlety, only to wring the uttermost pang from his -heart strings. He who sups with the devil (they say) must needs have -a very long spoon. No help was possible. The Evil One was reaping -his revenge. And now he was assured his victim had at last grasped -the situation, he threw off the mask, and showed himself in his true -colours. He raised his eyes for the first time from the ground, -those brimming lakes of bottomless hate which Porphyro had fronted -once before in the underground hall. It was his turn now to quail. - -"Ha! ha!" laughed the fallen angel. "By mine ancient seat in heaven -(and that is an oath I never lightly take as you may guess), confess, -have I not bested you, friend Porphyro? He laughs best who laughs -the last; is it not so?" - -"But what about that bond registered between us in Hell's chancery?" -cried Porphyro, in a voice which would have melted triple brass. - -"Your bond," shrieked Beelzebub. "Do you remind me of your bond; you -who once outfaced me that a bond should be read by the letter, and -not by the spirit? I have come round to your views, and I now fling -that word back in your teeth. You have had your bond to the letter, -and now go and kill yourself, for there is nothing more for you to -do." - -Porphyro bent like a broken reed. He had found his over-mastering -fate. His hopes were ash. He breathed in gasps. He staggered to -the window, and threw open the casement. A great pitiful star looked -in, but to his eyes it appeared red and bloodshot. He turned round -again to the room. He wished to see once more before he died that -mistress of his soul for whose sake he had flung it away. But the -figure of his master had swelled, and was swelling so rapidly in size -that it seemed to fill every available corner of the room. Porphyro -raised his hands to heaven, and called upon his lady's name. Three -times he called it, and then sprang out of the window. The princess, -who had grasped nothing of what had passed, ran to the shutter, and -looked out just in time to hear the splash of his body as it fell -into the moat. It was the first sign of interest in him which she -had shown. - - - - - - - -*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL *** - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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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 <a href="https://www.gutenberg.org">www.gutenberg.org</a>. If you -are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the -country where you are located before using this eBook. -</div> - -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Title: Tales of the supernatural</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-left:2em; text-indent:0; margin-top:0; margin-bottom:1em;'>Six romantic stories</p> -<p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em'>Author: James Platt</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Release Date: November 20, 2022 [eBook #69397]</p> -<p style='display:block; text-indent:0; margin:1em 0'>Language: English</p> - <p style='display:block; margin-top:1em; margin-bottom:0; margin-left:2em; text-indent:-2em; text-align:left'>Produced by: Al Haines</p> -<div style='margin-top:2em; margin-bottom:4em'>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL ***</div> - -<h1> -<br><br> - TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL.<br> -</h1> - -<p class="t2b"> - SIX ROMANTIC STORIES.<br> -</p> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> - BY<br> -</p> - -<p class="t3b"> - JAMES PLATT, JUNIOR.<br> -</p> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> - <i>PRICE ONE SHILLING.</i><br> -</p> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> - LONDON:<br> - SIMPKIN, MARSHALL, HAMILTON, KENT & CO.,<br> - 4 STATIONERS' HALL COURT.<br> - 1894.<br> -</p> - -<p class="t4"> - <i>Entered at Stationers' Hall</i>] [<i>All Rights Reserved.</i><br> -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p class="t3b"> -CONTENTS. -</p> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap01">THE SEVEN SIGILS</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap02">THE HAND OF GLORY</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap03">THE RABBI LION</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap04">THE EVIL EYE</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap05">THE WITCHES' SABBATH</a> -</p> - -<p class="noindent"> -<a href="#chap06">THE DEVIL'S DEBT</a> -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p><a id="chap01"></a></p> - -<h3> -THE SEVEN SIGILS. -</h3> - -<p><br><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> -PART I. -<br><br> -BRAVO AND POISONER. -</p> - -<p> -The Bottomless Lake of our Legend -was reputed an outlet of the Bottomless -Pit. No creature of our world had -ever swum its lethal ebb and flow, but -on the nights of the great Sabbaths, -when the wizardry of all Italy swept to its beetling -cliffs as to their Holiest of Holies, its waters -eructed to the rendezvous the retinue of Hell—the -wealth of an argosy would not have tempted -a Lombard to venture within eye-shot of it after -nightfall. Who, then, are these two men of mortal -mould that outstare the depths of the Bottomless -Lake itself, and not only that but from the very -horns of the Altar of the Black Mass, and not only -that, but at the witching hour forsooth of night, -when graveyards yawn, and the everlasting doors -of Tophet open wide? Their guardian angels of -good have surely turned from their right hands, and -their evil guardians of the left are grinning from -horn to horn. With the chime of twelve from the -distant steeple dies out the last echo of admonition, -and they begin to work out such unhallowed -errand as alone can have brought them to so -damned a spot; the elder of the two in a tone of -hushed solemnity addresses a series of questions -to the younger, who responds to them with an -equally awful gravity, after the manner of a -catechism. -</p> - -<p> -"Dost know me who I am?" -</p> - -<p> -"Tosca of Venice, bravo and poisoner." -</p> - -<p> -"And Yourself?" -</p> - -<p> -"Janko the Illyrian, bravo with a right good -will, but not yet poisoner." -</p> - -<p> -"My ancestry?" -</p> - -<p> -"Sorcerer stock, whose secrets you would fain -have inherited and their trade pursued." -</p> - -<p> -"Why did I not?" -</p> - -<p> -"The Council of Ten bore down upon your -race, and but for your extreme youth you yourself -would have crossed the Bridge of Sighs. Orphaned -by the State, and retaining for sole inheritance -the swashing blade that still gnaws at your -scabbard, and a few recipes for poisons (which -last, however, were worth a Borgia's envy), you -soon found yourself compelled to use both the one -and the other to buy you bed and board. Proceeding -at first with hesitancy, and never sojourning -long in one locality, you became by degrees the -repository of so many family secrets that at the -present day you may stalk assured through the -length and breadth of Italy, and ruffle it in what -company you will." -</p> - -<p> -"And your own story?" -</p> - -<p> -"I know not by what catastrophe the memory -of all my earliest years was shaken loose from me. -Suffice it then, that once on a visit to my native -country you found me wandering an orphan like -yourself, and with a mind so blank that you -appropriated it instantly to write on it as it were -your own ten commandments. Since that day I -have never left you, and I am only repeating what -you yourself tell me when I say that you have -made me your equal master in every trick of fence. -But of that other art of yours that rivals the -Creator, my most dutiful entreaties have never -availed with you to teach me anything." -</p> - -<p> -"But did I not reasonably argue that you would -better attend the heaviness of so terrific a -responsibility, until you were of man's estate? And is not -to-day the anniversary of your coming of age? -And have we not pelted hither hot-foot from the -confines of the land upon that very business?" -</p> - -<p> -"It is true that before entrusting me with even -the least of these your ancient awful secrets you -have brought me here to-night—for what?" -</p> - -<p> -"To enter you with fitting state upon the bead-roll -of that glorious mystery, that with the mere -putting on of a glove, or sniffing of a flower can -check the most rebellious blood with a thus far -shall thou flow, but no farther!" -</p> - -<p> -"Say, rather to better the assurance that you have -of me already from years of fraternal familiar -common life, by laying upon me in addition a -binding bond ensanctified by centuries of warlock -use, and now to be imposed in this very spot where -the Master whom thereby we both shall serve is at -this hour present, though to us invisible, the Prince -of the Power of the Air." -</p> - -<p> -"You are at any rate resolved to link yourself -to me with fetters forged in the fire that is not -quenched, and by a testament registered in the -Chancery of Hell to the effect that any treachery -from one of us to the other shall be resented and -avenged by that common Master of ours who hears -us at this moment from his postern gate, the -Bottomless Lake below?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am resolved to that for which I came here." -</p> - -<p> -"Follow, then, with me the observance of that -visible sign and token that unites us in one blood -and in one flesh. This horn is from that beast whose -form our Master loves to take, when from this altar -where we stand he greets his liegemen and his -liege-women turned backward like his prayers. This horn -I charge to the half with my own blood, obtained by -the biting of my arm. Now do you likewise bite -and fill and then drink (to my health) the moiety -of the draught so mixed." -</p> - -<p> -"May you live till the Last Trump!" -</p> - -<p> -"You have pledged me in it as I now pledge -you, and there remains but one more ceremony. I -am about to throw this emptied receptacle into the -waters of the Bottomless Lake. You know already -that everything that touches its surface, whether -living or dead, is forfeit to that Ancient of Days -that crouches in wait below. Do you agree that -this will be the fate reserved for that one of us two -that shall first contravene this super-sacred oath?" -</p> - -<p> -"His soul be the devil's fee." -</p> - -<p> -The emptied horn shot like an elf-bolt into the -pathless waters of the Bottomless Lake. The -benighted pair that watched it from the unhallowed -shrine above could have sworn that a hand came -up and caught it as it fell, but a sudden flash of -lightning that snapped in their eyes and a peal -of thunder that made the four corners of the earth -to quake rendered that fact uncertain. The strangers -would then have been only too gladly drenched -to the skin that they might have hugged their -wagered souls in the belief that this unweather -was of Nature, and not of the Evil One. But the -Heavens shed no tear. There succeeded to that -single flash and single peal only the same deadly -calm that had preceded them. Although their -business there was over, neither of the two men -cared to suggest to the other his secret persuasion -that there was no need for further stay. One o'clock -whispered from afar its holy amen to their accursed -ritual. Other hours flitted by, and still they gazed -into unplummeted waves enwrapped in gloom as in -their cloaks. At last as it were by a simultaneous -impulse they turned together, and with a mutual -sigh descended in the direction of the dawning city. -From what has been said of the superstitious awe -with which the Bottomless Lake was regarded, it will -be readily understood that they had to traverse a -considerable distance of uninhabited country before -coming in sight of the main travelled road. -</p> - -<p> -When at last after the painful up and down of -many hills, they perceived the highway cutting -through a valley at their feet, the habitual reserve -engendered by their profession moved them to await -atop the passage of a carriage that appeared in -sight in the distance going towards the town rather -than continue their journey, and be passed by it. -As it came nearer both these men who had recently -drunk so deeply of forbidden founts, suddenly -uttered an exclamation that sounded very like a fear. -For they saw at the self-same second that the coach -contained a girl of beauty beyond a sultan's dream, -and that some dozen or so of foot-pads darted from -both sides of the road and seized the heads of her -horses. The report of a pistol was obviously -connected with the fall of the driver like a log from -his box. The young lady was left with no other -defender than a large black dog that ran behind the -carriage, but as the assailants threw the doors open -and hustled her out it became apparent that he -was chained to the vehicle, and in an instant they -were beyond his reach. But at this critical juncture -Tosca descended almost, as it seemed, to the -startled abductors with one leap from the heights -above, and with a howl like a wild beast. -</p> - -<p> -Although they did not know it, the finest sword -player in Europe was in their midst. They went -down by couples before him, spitted like larks. -They had scarcely grasped the miracle of his -presence before the lovely vision of the coach was -resting in his left arm (the right still continuing -to deal destruction), and she had scarcely glanced at -his face, when, with a sigh of evident content with -her defender, she hid her golden head in his breast -to shut out the shambles from her eyes. But the -fight was already past. Half the ravishers lay -stretched upon the ground, and the bravo of Venice -needed no second or even first glance at them to -know that they would never rise again. The -remainder, appalled by a result which they were far -from attributing to the purely human agency which -had caused it, had only to cast a look beneath his -black-a-vised brows, when with a shriek that he -was signed in the corner of his eye with the devil's -private mark, they precipitately fled. The bravo -dropped his sword into its sheath, and now -with both arms round her waist he drew the -goddess (as she appeared to him) towards -her carriage. In doing so he perceived that -she had fainted, and printed upon her lips the -fiercest as it was the chastest kiss that he had -ever bestowed upon woman. By an extraordinary -chance (but there was more than chance in it), after -completing the foulest rite, he had stumbled upon -the purest passion of his life. For no other woman -would he have shut the carriage door as he did -now after placing her within it, remaining himself -outside. And it is needful to add in this connexion -that he had entirely forgotten the very existence -of that comrade just bound to him by a tie -indissoluble. That comrade, nevertheless, had watched -the whole from the altitude where both had first -stood. Could he have followed the giddy foot-hold -of his patron he would in that moment have slain -him in his tracks. And that he could in no wise -stir from where he stood either previously to take -part in that chance medley, or now to snatch a share -in the reward of it, was due not at all to cowardice -(a thing that must of necessity be unknown to any -that followed the fortunes of Tosca), but to a kind -of spell as he fancied that froze him to his place. -And of this he was indeed well qualified to judge -since he had already experienced the self-same -sensation on one (and one only) former occasion. -What puzzled him was that the obvious cause in -the prior case was a certain amulet of unknown -antiquity and power, which Tosca was accustomed -to wear round his neck upon a chain of gold, and -which in a moment of confidence he had shown that -once to his pupil. Whereas on the present occasion -the cause of his vertigo could scarcely be the same, -the talisman being invisible. And yet the effect -was identical. If anything more than another had -been the actual moving cause of his present icy -chill it must certainly be the damsel of the coach. -So unmistakeable was the hold which the mere -sight of her had taken upon him, that at the instant -when Tosca placed his lips upon hers (and they -had never been touched before by man), the surging -up of jealousy burst the shackles of the spell, and -the Illyrian clattered down like an avalanche. He -reached the road at the important moment when his -oblivious partner, after shutting the door of the -coach, was upon the point of mounting the box to -drive the young beauty he knew not whither. Nor -did it occur to him that he knew not. But at this -precise juncture his dream was shattered by the -advent of the Illyrian flashing fires of jealous heat -from his eyes. So choked with it was he that he -could not speak, but only pointed with one hand to -the carriage while he clenched the other in Tosca's -face. The Venetian was equally taken aback by the -sudden resurrection of one whose presence in the -world he had totally overlooked. How long they -would have stared at one another had nothing -intervened it would be impossible to say. They were -heedless of the barking of the black dog, since that -had continued without intermission from the first -irruption of the bid-stands. But they were twitched -bolt round in the direction of the coach by a sudden -crack of its wheels. Whether the coachman had -fallen from his box through a genuine belief that -he was hurt; or whether through an equally genuine -desire not to be; or, lastly, through collusion did -not appear, but it was sufficiently obvious that the -fellow had not received a scratch. Concluding the -danger to be over he had now quietly reassumed his -post, and was driving off. He took no more notice -of the other two than if he had not seen them (which -again might really have been the case), and used -his whip to such good purpose that the vehicle was -lost to sight (to memory dear) before the rivals had -taken a step to arrest its progress. Then burst the -storm of mutual recrimination. Tosca first spoke. -</p> - -<p> -"Darkness and devils! You have robbed me of -that for which I would not leave whole the skin of -any man alive." -</p> - -<p> -"'S death, kinsman, would you draw on me? -Remember you not the oath of some few hours ago? -Are you already so anxious to tap at that postern we -both wot of? Knock then, and it shall be opened -unto you. Ho, you pale at this reminder, and suffer -your hand to drop from the hilt of that ancestral spit -of yours." -</p> - -<p> -"You were well advised to speak before I had -drawn, or you would perchance have learned ere this -that there are one or two tricks of fence I never -taught even to you." -</p> - -<p> -"Deceit upon deceit. You have always given me -to understand that there was absolutely nothing in -that branch of our partnership that you had not -revealed to me. Perchance I shall ere long come -upon some other tit-bit churlishly rapt aside. But -why do I chide you for teaching me too little, when -I had rather cause to weep salt tears that you have -fathered me too much? When you met me, I had, -as you have told me oft, a mind so blank that you -could write on it (and that was the attraction that led -you to adopt me) whatever kind of script you chose; -And you chose to scribble the Devil's A, B, C. It is -through your corruption of my innocent youth that -I am unfit to-day to even look upon such as she who -has just escaped us (and there ruled her favouring -star). And if you reply that you have kept me till -I was of age, unspotted from the worst half of your -villainies, I dare swear that I should not be far out -in conjecturing that regard for the safety of your -body, rather than for that of my soul, was the true -reason why you have never yet suffered me to wear -the glass mask in your laboratories. And, to crown -all, you kissed her." -</p> - -<p> -"Did I kiss her? I thought it was a dream." -</p> - -<p> -Thus Tosca murmured softly to himself, his head -falling upon his breast, as if in communion with some -saint. It was Janko who this time broke the silence -by clutching of his sword. But Tosca looked up -with a glance so diabolical, that he dropped it again -at once. By a motion of his hand, the Venetian, as -it were compelled him to seat himself by the side of -the road; and, sitting quietly beside him, commenced -in the following strain:— -</p> - -<p> -"You make me laugh apart when you speak of -my corrupting your innocent youth. If you only -knew the truth! Or, as you said just now (God -knows whether inspired by good or evil chance), if -you only knew that tit-bit rapt aside, as you thought, -churlishly (when you merely guessed at it), but in -reality with more generosity, than you will be -decently able to thank me for (when you only know -the facts). Your innocent youth, indeed!! By the -God above us, whom we both fear, and neither serves, -you will see by the story I am about to tell you that -I knew all the time and as I say with generosity -have concealed from you the nature of that catastrophe -that shook loose from you the memories of all -your earliest years. You will see that before your -mind became a blank, I had read upon it (tender as -were your years) the lurid brand of Cain. You will -see that your brain was seared by your own atrocious -hand, and that my adoption of you afterwards was -based on the calculation that for a bravo and poisoner -there could be in the whole round world no better -raw material than a matricide! Start not till you -have heard me out. I was in Illyria. Reasons -which your experience of ups and downs in our -profession will readily enable you to appreciate -had caused me to retire (rather hurriedly, I confess) -from the town which I had honoured with my -presence for some months. The same reasons oblige -me to travel in preference by night, and to secrete -myself by day. On the first occasion of my doing -this latter, I settled upon an apparently deserted hut -in the trackless depths of the forest. This hut -consisted of a large front room (reaching to the roof -tree) for the accommodation of the two-footed, and a -stall at back for that of the four-footed creation. -The latter did not run so high as the front room, -Inasmuch as it contained a loft for fodder atop, and -it was in this airy apartment that I decided to take -my siesta, since it had openings both upon the stables -(if I may so call it) and the front chamber, and my -disposition as you know is strategic. I had slept, I -know not how long, when I was awakened by a noise -in front, and speedily ascertained that it was caused -by an altercation going on among visitors to the -parlour. Do not start till you have heard me out. -One of the disputants was yourself. The other, who -occupied the only stool in the place, was a grey-haired, -blear-eyed female of considerable antiquity. I -know nothing of your accursed Illyrian jargon. But -without understanding the conversation I could see -the beldame hugging to her withered breast a jewel, -small, but of great price, and withal slung upon a -golden chain. I tell you without hesitation that it -was the same amulet you have been shown by me -upon a previous occasion, foolishly as it happened, -since it stirred you so profoundly as to almost resurrect -your buried remembrances. That it came into the -hands of your precious dame by some feat of robbery -I have no doubt whatever. How it came into mine -you will presently see. Your excited gesture, as it -seemed to me, might afford me some clue to the -progress of the quarrel, which I presumed had arisen as to -the fate of your booty, but I had scarcely awakened -up sufficiently to pull my reasoning faculties together, -when the whole thing ended in an, even to me, -unexpectedly horrible manner. You suddenly pushed -a pail (which stood hard by) beneath the back of the -unsuspecting crone, and flashing a hanger from -under your rags you swept off her grey head into -the bucket with the single shearing stroke of a -seasoned cut-throat. Then throwing upon the floor -the glittering bauble of contention, you surprised me -still more by swiftly separating the hands and feet, -then the arms at elbow, and the legs at knee, then -the stumps from the trunk, and finally the trunk itself -into smaller parcels. That moment, and to-day, are -the two occasions of my life upon which I have -loathed my calling. By my word and oath I was as -sick as a dog upon the litter of your loft. When I -looked again you had cast down the weeping steel -which had been the unwilling instrument of your -crime. Packing all the sections in a kind of bag or -sack you rolled it up compactly. Then seizing the -ensanguined pail in the hand that was not occupied -by that pitiful truss of what had just been humanity, -you strode with them both from the desecrated home, -but how you disposed of your burdens I neither know -nor care. That you had loaded your conscience with -a grislier deed than it could bear, I soon had good -reason to know. Perturbed at my perturbation I had -scrambled to <i>terra firma</i>, and had recovered myself -sufficiently only to secure that amulet (which as you -know I still wear), when you re-entered empty -handed in that same state of idiocy, which moved -me to overcome my distaste for associates and -adjoin you to myself in my profession. Besides, -I could not but admit (when once more fully -myself) that you had shown for it considerable -vocation." -</p> - -<p> -The face of the Illyrian rolled with beads of -sweat. For the third time he was bound hard and -fast by that same fascination which already twice -before had enthralled him. And as each time before -so again it was for a different cause. The first of -these two prior occasions resulted, as we know, -from the sighting of the amulet. The second on the -sighting of the divinity of the coach. But this -third time was again different from the other two, -in this respect, that (although he would not have -confessed it for all the riches entombed in earth) he -had now fully recognised the reason and connexion -of all three. He rose deliberately and spoke:— -</p> - -<p> -"Now, you have told me, to suit your own -purposes, a certain amount of the truth, I remember -to your confusion the details you intentionally -omitted. You lie in your throat when you say that -when I re-entered that room I was in the vacant -state already. I re-entered that room (and you know -it) as sane as when I left it. I found you standing -there prepared with a glib story to the effect that you -were a stranger just stepped into the hut with the -view of seeing whether it was inhabited or not by -anyone who could serve you as a guide through the -forest. Not knowing you so well as I do now, I -was simple enough to believe you. It never entered -my head that you could have witnessed the drama -that had just been played, nor did I think of the -talisman in my momentary confusion at seeing in the -place a foreigner. I have now no doubt but that if -I had looked for it I should not have been able -to find it. You diverted my attention by inviting me -to quaff from your spirit flask on the plea that I -looked unwell, as in truth I might, after the ordeal -I had just passed through. In my innocence (for I -was innocent) I accepted the draught, and the drug -which you had placed in the liquor beforehand -destroyed my memory, never to return, until this -eventful day. Yet I think there was, however, one -former occasion which it just missed a return. That -was when you showed me that ill-omened amulet, -and it awakened in me sentiment inexplicable then, -but which now I am no longer at a loss to -understand. That jewel was wrought by the science of -my kinswoman, in whose hands you surprised it—for -my people, too, were of the ancient religion, like your -own, and sorcerers of the Black Side." -</p> - -<p> -At the commencement of this speech, Tosca -seemed momentarily disconcerted, but, as it continued, -this sentiment was succeeded by something very -like prostration, and when he replied it was with -reverence. -</p> - -<p> -"What a galliard this is, and how aright I -guessed when I saw in him the making of a master in -my trade. I thought to dash him with my revelation -of a monstrosity among crimes. I was a fool, -indeed, to think that a younker would bleach over -the dissection of a granny, who had anointed him -from his cradle with the grease of unbaptised babes. -But I failed, and there's an end on't, and now sheer -steel must decide the issue, for we meet on equal -ground. Equal do I say? Nay! the boy is my -superior in callousness, for I dearly loved my own -old people, though I never say God rest their souls." -</p> - -<p> -He rose, and both men laid their hands upon -their hilts. One of them had not very long to live. -But before entering upon the fateful lists, the Illyrian -turned to speak again. -</p> - -<p> -"In case you slay me, which I believe will not -be the case (for God does sometimes defend the -right), I cannot forbear an answer to your last taunt. -You did not understand, and you have never understood, -and you never will understand the real -meaning of the scene you saw enacted in that room -upon that day. I am not sure whether it was a -blessing or a curse upon our race that you did not -catch the drift of our remarks in our native language, -which you contemptuously term jargon. Had you -done so the fate of all three of us would have been -better or worse, but at any rate far different. The -tortures of the Inquisition would not force from me -the secret, which was confided to me then by that -ancient lady whom you saw me slay indeed, but -only after her own repeated prayers and instructions. -I shudder to think what has become of her remains -which she entrusted to my pious care, and which -for your accursed interference I have been unwillingly -prevented from attending to. I know, indeed, the -fate of her other legacy (for the amulet was a legacy -that you thought a theft); but it is now too late -(again through your accursed interference) for me -to make such use of that knowledge as she had -enjoined upon me to do. But to you (who know -nothing of its use and profit) it shall hang as a -millstone round your neck, and whether you live -or whether you die it shall infallibly sink you now -or hereafter to the undiscovered bottom of that -Bottomless Lake whose source we both do know. -And whichever of us falls shall by the terms of -that enactment (of so short a while ago) be resented -and avenged by that Master of ours, who waits -even at this moment for that most unhappy man." -</p> - -<p> -The face of Tosca became white and red. He -flashed that time-honoured blade of his from its -sheath, and motioned with it to the Illyrian to take -up a position opposite to him. Janko turned round -for one second to do so, and in that second the -sword of his faithless foe was plunged remorselessly -through his back. The point protruded through -his breast. The next instant the sword had been -withdrawn, and the Illyrian lay upon the turf -among the ragged hedge pirates, who had fallen -before by the same trained hand. But this time -the Venetian took the trouble to assure himself of -the death of his foe before returning his sword -to its bed. That was the only honour he paid to -the body that had once been only less dear to -him than his own. That done, he threw himself -down at the road side, and took out from under -his doublet that very talisman of which we have -heard so much. It had gained greatly in his -estimation by the mystery which had lately thickened -round it. We have already mentioned that it was -suspended round his neck by a gold chain; but -we must now give a more particular description -of the gem itself. It had undoubtedly originally -been intended for a seal, or, to speak more correctly, -seven seals, for it had (and this constituted its -particularity) seven sides or facets, and on each of -these engraved a sigil or cabalistic monogram, and -each sigil was that of a different planet of the -seven that rule over the seven days of the week. -All this the bravo, from his early environment, -was sufficiently skilled to know. He also recognised -at once that the person wishing to use the stone -for its original purpose of sealing, would choose -on each day that facet of the gem which bore the -signature of the planet that presided over the day -in question. But this, though no doubt of -considerable efficiency, was not by any means of so -great virtue as to sufficiently explain the very -enigmatical manner in which the amulet had been -alluded to by the hapless boy, whose present fate -he shuddered to reflect on. He endeavoured, with -more or less success, to banish speculation on that -point by returning to his examination of the ring, -if we may apply that term to a jewel which was -not pierced with sufficiently large a hole to fit even -upon the smallest of fingers. Such hole as it had, -and through which its chain now passed, he -conjectured must have been originally intended to -receive the handle of the seal, upon which, fitting -loosely, the gem turning round and round could be -made to present any facet desired to the paper -which its owner intended to impress. At this point -of his meditation the bravo was aroused by the -sound of footsteps. A number of officials, both -on horse and otherwise, had arrived from the -neighbouring town. These he recognised at once as -belonging to that inconvenient class (the guardians, -let us say, of public safety) from whom he had -fled on many another well remembered occasion -besides the one he had just made mention of in his -story to the ill-starred Illyrian. Yet at the present -moment he had no fear of them. Perhaps this -was because he knew that they came on account -of the depositions of the lodestar of his dreams, -and that he would have run any risk to be brought -once more into chain with her. A less hardened -adventurer might have been embarrassed by the -presence of Janko's body. But to a fertility of -resource such as Tosca had needs acquired, it -presented no obstacle whatever. He rose, and -bowed with a grace he had learned in the very -highest society. The officers returned his salute. -They conjectured rightly that this stranger of -distinguished appearance was the beaten blade who -had performed the prodigies of valour, which when -told them in the city they had deemed to be fabulous, -but of which they now saw the proofs before their -eyes. The obliging champion was quite willing to -relate his own private version of the affair. He -paused only to consider whether it would be -advisable to have been wounded slightly, but he -decided against this fiction as liable to lead to -trouble. -</p> - -<p> -"Yes; as you say, I naturally wished to rest -awhile after the fatigues of such a combat. Besides, -I guessed, of course, that I should soon see upon the -field of battle you gentlemen of justice, whose -promptness in these matters has become proverbial, -and with whom I would not for the world have lost -the chance of an interview. I might, it is true, have -foisted myself into the carriage for its journey to -town. But the lady, as she doubtless told you, had -fainted right away, and I was therefore debarred from -obtaining that permission, without which no man of -breeding could venture to take such a liberty. And -before I had time to achieve a seat on the box, the -coachman was off; for the fellow was drunk, as your -penetration must have perceived from the muddled -state of his evidence. Of the valour you so kindly -allude to, my modesty forbids me to speak. But I -am bound in honour to temper your flattering opinion -of the achievement by confessing that I am a fencing -master by profession, and that a score or so of thrusts -and parries is merely a matter of daily bread with -me. I must add, in this connexion, that I am also a -physician, and one possessed of medicaments that -cure all ills. Further, I was proceeding to your town -with the view of establishing a dual practice among -you, when this trifle we are discussing fell athwart the -even tenor of my way, and I hope still to establish -myself there, and even to continue my journey in -your company (which is such as I most affect) now -this accident has given me, as I perceive, introduction -to all the most desirable connexions in the place. -You will notice yonder, by the way, a fellow of better -apparal than the rest of the run-a-gates, and whom -I take to be their captain. The other scaramouches -gave me no trouble whatever, but I must confess that -the spadassin in question was a little bit more of a -customer. I had the lady on one arm (as she -doubtless told you), and had the rabble been -able to get on all sides of me at once, the affair -would indeed have been the devil's delight. But -since I kept my back, like an old campaigner, to the -coach, I felt no kind of flurry; and, as I knew from -the first that I should, I came at length to disarm -him. The poltroon then turned to save his skin (I -had thought him braver stuff); but I, as you may -suppose, was far too limber for him, and skewered -him through the back. You can see for yourselves -how my point protruded through his breast. In my -humble opinion he might well dance in chains here -on a gibbet upon the scene of his crime, as a warning -to the rest of his riff-raff that scuttled away from my -invincible arm as soon as their leader fell." -</p> - -<p> -This Tosca considered the master-stroke of his -dissimulation. No suspicion could now light upon -him. The lady had seen but him, and knew nothing -of his companion. The coachman had either seen -two men or none. If he spoke of two they would -ascribe it to his drunkenness, and inquire if he did -not also see two ladies. Tosca was furthest of all -from suspecting that by this very suggestion he -thought to be so masterly he was forging the bolt -that should destroy him. With delight he perceived -that the officers had clutched at his idea, and -immediately set their underlings to work upon the -gallows, after first entombing the raggeder ruffians -ignominiously in a ditch. Leaving them to their -congenial work Tosca proceeded with the officers to -town, and gathered as he went all the particulars -that he could of his enchantress. And her name, -which he heard for the first time, seemed familiar as -a household word. Vergilia had resided for months -in the city, but was by birth a stranger, from what -country no one knew. It was only known that she -had sojourned for similar periods in other principal -places. She was an orphan, she was unmarried, she -was an heiress. Wherever she pleased to set her -wandering feet men flocked in shoals to be trampled -beneath them. And of these, Tosca shrewdly -guessed, were the majority of his present companions. -She consistently refused all offers, and this was the -unanswerable argument of the more logical sex to -their women, who hated her like poison, and who -would have it that she made use of love philtres to -effect her endless conquests. The only ground for -this assertion seemed to be that wherever she -travelled her bed chamber was always sacredly -reserved to her own person, entered by no one else -under any circumstances whatever, and locked when -she was not within, she herself performing all -domestic duties connected with it. Those admirers -of hers, who had not yet put their fate to the touch, -all indignantly scouted the theory advanced by the -rejected that she concealed a lover in this sanctum. -Nor was such an idea surely possible to any one who -looked with unjaundiced eye, even once on her -virginal purity. Tosca gazed on her for the second -time that day, and swore within his heart of hearts -(quite drowning all recollection of that prior oath) -that the very first lover she should have would be -none other than himself. -</p> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> -(<i>End of Part I.</i>) -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> -PART II. -<br><br> -THE DEVIL'S CANDLE. -</p> - -<p> -The revolution of our legend brings us once -more round to that same direful boundary hour, -with which it was commenced between midnight -and the first born of the day. But on the hills a -gibbet stands that stood not there before, a beacon -to the minions of the moon. Alas for the -misguided youth that hangs there helpless and -unhouseled. His brave attire the cupidity of his -topsmen had appropriated to their own use. His -body they had arrayed for the sake of decency in -rags stripped from the verminiferous trunks of his -several supposed followers, and these huddled him -like the swathings of some dismantled mummy. A -gorged carrion bird dozes upon each of his shoulders. -The hinds, whom their business brought upon the -road even so late as twilight, had run afield copiously -crossing themselves. Who, then, is this—a woman, -too—that comes at the awfullest hour of all, and -to the very foot of the gallows? Nothing but her -eyes can be seen from under her hood. Are those -the eyes of Vergilia that Tosca dreams of and deems -unfathomable as the Bottomless Lake itself? Is -the intuition of her sex, then, unfailing after all, and -she a witch, that with love philtres works her syren -spell, and seeks at this dread hour for the -wherewithal? And what, then, can she peer for about the -foundations of a gibbet, save alone that fetid and -fearsome white-flowered orange-berried Devil's -Candle mandragora that is engendered in the womb -of earth from a gibbeted murderer's drippings on -the midnight of his death? The Illyrian bravo had -been seven times a murderer (if not seventy times -seven), and many a lost soul rejoiced in Hell that -night over the weird that the witch woman was to -work. She has found it at last, the favourable -specimen, by her long sought through fruitless years. -She has found the root in human form complete—two -armed, two legged—the Microcosm caricaturing -man. And now her low whistle brings her -black hound forward out of the black night. Even -she is affected as she kisses him for the last time. -Iscariotical kiss! With a cord from her youthful -waist she attaches animal and plant together, and -flees from thence, stopping her ears as she runs. -The hound (whose faith is to strike his death-knell) -seeks to follow her, and finds himself held back. -He wrestles with the invisible obstacle and conquers, -but to die, for as the unholy mannikin root is perforce -torn out of its mother earth it utters a piercing -shriek that makes rattle the chains of its father above, -and the hound, in an instant foaming at the mouth, -in fits expires. Then, and then only, turns the -murderess back on her blood-stained steps. The -carcase of her sole unvenial follower she casts -falteringly apart, The girdle is already attached -by one end to the gruesome plant. By throwing -round to it the other end she completes the -circuit of her shapely throat, and held fast by -this improvised necklace tucks the loathsome -herb creature into her lovely bosom, which no -being of its sex had ever yet been free of. Hence -now to develop him, for to this is that secret chamber -destined that had never seen denizen but herself -before. There is her laboratory, and there shall this -earth child be magically tendered and nourished, and -most magically grow to more and more of man's -resemblance. Since in a manner by his mystical -birth he is one flesh and blood with the murderer -that begot him, he is perforce of Hell, and can Hell's -secrets impart to the enchantress that holds him in -her power. To what her cravings tend, which by his -means or any other that affords itself, she must and -will by hook or crook attain, we now shall shortly -see. In spite of her evident youth, Vergilia was far -too accomplished an actress, of course, to reveal by -word or sign her secret studies to the gilded youth -that continue to throng her halls. But Tosca visited -her upon a different footing. Spending his days with -her in the body, and his nights with her in the -spirit—spacing out with drink and dice the unutterable -intervals when he could do neither one nor the other—he -neglected his professional avocations altogether, -and existed absolutely for her. On her part she had -shown him, as we have seen, particular favour from -the first moment she saw him, and this became -continuously more and more after she had wormed his -story from him—as much as he chose to tell, and -which of course excluded entirely the existence of -the Illyrian—until at length she requited him with -like confidence. What the butterflies that sought -their own purposes about her chose to think of her -preference she cared not, but her modesty at length -obliged her to account for it in private to the -preferred one himself by alleging the similarity of their -descent (for that she also came of old necromantic -stock), and to explain her refusal of all suitors (even -to coronets) on the grounds that none of them could -satisfy, till Tosca came, her yearnings for the occult. -To an archimage alone would she give her right hand, -and his right hand she meant to be. The blessing -of the Church would be a curse to such a pair. -Heedless then of what, in their position, they needs -must deem the degradation of any such ceremony, -she had herself devised her own test piece by which -a favoured suitor could be at the same time tried, and -by its failure or success dismissed or indissolubly -wedded. She had sworn in fact to bestow herself -without reserve upon the student (his person being -also to her fancy) who could call up for her -substantial from the vasty deep a magical palace in -which her fantastic imagination had long run riot, -and in which carnal love and cabalistic lore should -wander hand in hand the livelong day without let or -hindrance from the outer world well lost. Prone to -such thoughts from her cradle, this aerial architecture -of hers had taken final shape in the first days -of her visit to that town, when disdaining the legend -of the boors, she had penetrated the precincts of the -Bottomless Lake, and quickened her brain with the -idea of how suitable to a lover and his mistress -would be retreat into a never-visited seclusion such as -that. Then the thing grew. She pictured and -demolished one after another various enchanted -buildings floating upon the waters themselves (and that -was the common thread that ran through them all) -sailing to the shore upon the wish of the dwellers in -them, but entirely inaccessible to any outward -authority, either human or divine. Now that she had -discovered the Venetian to be the one man to whom -she would accord permission to substantialise her -dreams (supposing he could find the power) she -submitted to him with much shy laughter her latest -ground plan of this castle in the air. She had -borrowed from the sensuous East its key-hole -arches and quadrangular bowers built round, and -enclosing court yards glowing with flowers from -every region of the earth, and never the same at -two successive visits. Birds interchanged at every -inspection in like manner were to agitate the air -with their antiphonies. And the fountains in the -centres of all the court yards (fed from the waters -of the Bottomless Lake) when lapped into the -beakers of the lovers would become the rarest -wine. The outermost waters would glister with -gold and silver fish, shot through with the plungings -of white aquatic birds. Within the building, the -rooms kaleidoscopically should never meet them -twice with the same face. Their servants should be -automata scattered through every chamber, and -ready at a touch to fly to master or mistress like -genii of the Arabian Nights, but instantly relapsing -after service into their first stony insensibility. Of -much more Vergilia whispered such as at times -frenzied in Tosca the knowledge of his impotence -to win her upon her terms. Had he but inherited -the secrets of his fathers! Had he but the -knowledge stored up in the grey brain of that -hairless blear-eyed Hell-sent hag of Illyria! Could -he but solve the enigma of the Seven Sigils, that -at any rate might bring him somewhat nearer to -his end! And his rivals envied him. Closer and -closer there seemed to flutter to him the moth -they thought he had singed. But never close -enough. Then came an event that led up to his -climax of fruition found green in the mouth. -Stated in short, it fell somewhat as follows: At -the end of her daily banquet she was wont to -leave her guests to their wine, while she paid one -of her frequent visits to that unseen chamber. One -of those disappointed suitors of hers (as it chanced, -or was fated on a certain day), inspired with the -valour of much wine imbibed after she had left -her table, swore roundly that he would follow her, -and pluck out at any hazard the heart of that -mystery. Before he could be stopped by fellow -guest or flunkey he had stumbled up the stairway, -and burst open the door she had but lately closed -behind her. The next moment a most frightful -shriek resounded through every corner of the house. -It was not Vergilia's. It was uttered by the -fool-hardy intruder. The company started from their -seats. But before they could do anything he -staggered into the room again with hair as white -as snow, and lips that gibbered loathsomely. Amid -a scene of indescribable confusion he was carried off -by his friends insane and inpenetrable as to the -cause of his fright, nor did he ever recover -sufficiently to give an explanation of it. When all -the rest of the terrified crowd of loungers and -lackeys had hustled pell mell from the house, -Tosca alone remained. His hour he thought -had come. But it was only in a measure so. -The lady of the house re-appeared, it is true, -after the hurried exodus of masters and servants, -and agitated as he had expected, but not to -his surprise by their defection. She babbled -brokenly, instead, of some one else whom she had -lost through the unexpected intrusion of that -venturesome drunkard, now sobered for good and -all. Thus she rooted from that moment in the mind -of Tosca the horrible suspicion that the story of -the concealed lover might have some truth in it -after all. How could he know aught of her -experimental mandrake culture, for of course it was the -mandrake she referred to? The only creature -besides herself that had witnessed her infernal -arcana had just been borne a mouthing maniac from -the seat of her operations, and perhaps not even -had time enough to notice the nature of the disaster, -which his untimely interference had brought about. -However, for the time Tosca dismissed his suspicions -when she fell into his arms and telling him between -laughter and tears that he was now the only hope -that remained to her, she begged him at once to -summon together all his scattered occult -acquirements, and make an incantation that very night -that should yield them both their heart's desire. -He swore to do so, hardly knowing what he swore, -and fled from her in a wind of excited passion and -passionate resolve. For some time after this he -endeavoured to put his ideas coherently together by -dint of pacing madly through the streets. It was -already dusk, and at first he elicited no remark. -But presently he noticed that his footsteps were -being dogged. He was a connoisseur in such -matters. This must be a rival more fixed than the -remainder of the craven herd that had so readily -taken flight, and one that had watched the bravo -during the time that he stayed behind. Or -perchance nothing more mysterious than a dunning -creditor, for Tosca had lately run out of ready -money, and while exercising no trade still -maintained a splendid appearance. Nor had this also -been altogether without weight with him when he -accepted the challenge of his bewitching mistress. -Not wishing to embroil himself with the person -whom he supposed to be shadowing him, he entered -a tavern and called for wine. He had scarcely -seated himself when a masked stranger of short -stature and somewhat uncouth appearance entered -the same inn, and sat down at the same table, -giving the same order. The nerves of our Venetian -were more shaken by the extraordinary episode of -the afternoon than he would himself have cared to -own. Not liking the looks of his would-be boon -companion, and conjecturing some connexion -between that individual and the counter of his paces, -Tosca got up and left the tavern without awaiting -the execution of his command. To his consternation -the stranger followed him. An exciting -chase ensued. The bravo entered house after house, -seating himself in each case, and always closely -hugged by his mysterious hanger on, who as -regularly seated himself by the bravo's side, and -as soon as he withdrew followed him out into the -street. A kind of panic seized the fearless swordsman. -A challenge to the inexplicable stranger stuck -again and again in his throat. At last the houses -began to close their shutters. The baffled fugitive -struck desperately out of the town into the open -country, and made his way in the direction of the -Bottomless Lake. As the footfalls of his ghostly -visitant pattered still behind him he consoled himself -with the grim reflection that right up to that -ill-omened shore, at any rate, the spy would not dare -to venture. But he was mistaken. As he paused -breathless on the brink of that Stygian sea and -faced round boldly on to what he deemed to be -invisibility, he found it was instead the form of his -fear that stood there as before. He was seized with -the boldness of desperation, and addressed the -mysterious and still masked being with a voice of -tolerable calm. -</p> - -<p> -"Who are you, and what is your need of me?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am Magloire, a necromancer of France, and -it is you that have need of me." -</p> - -<p> -"You are over bold to say so." -</p> - -<p> -"I say what I know. Dare you deny that you -entertain the intention of making an incantation -here this very night, and that you lack only the -means to do so? A scheme of geomancy -acquainted me with your design, and being -entangled in your fate, for reasons that you must -not know (for you will know them if anything too -soon) I sped from afar upon wings of wind to -conduct your conjuration for you." -</p> - -<p> -"You have a price for this?" -</p> - -<p> -"I see you are a man of the world, and are -aware that nothing is usually given for nothing. I -ask you merely to sign this bond." -</p> - -<p> -"I understand your interest in me better than -you seem to think, and on no account will I barter -away my immortal soul." -</p> - -<p> -"Your immortal soul, do you say? By the Nine -Legions of Hell, does the man think that the cross -was stretched on Calvary for any such scum as he? -Your immortal soul, of which you hug yourself the -possessor, was lost irredeemably from your cradle -up. The signature to the bond is a matter of -form." -</p> - -<p> -"You do not think so since you ask me to sign -it. But ask of me anything else, and it shall be -given to you." -</p> - -<p> -"By the tie of which I spoke, that is stronger -than blood as blood is thicker than water (so they -say), I will help you, though you vouchsafe me -a mere keepsake. Make over to me that amulet -that you wear around your neck, and the bargain -is firm and true. The dawn shall caress a tenement -based on the shifting foundation of these waters, -such as even shall satisfy the caprices of Vergilia." -</p> - -<p> -The bravo had recovered himself, as we have said, -but these evidences of an intimate knowledge of his -affairs filled him again with apprehension. And -the stranger still continued masked. After a short -deliberation, however, Tosca decided not to let slip -an opportunity as welcome as unexpected, and -granted apparently in exchange for a trinket of no -worth to him whatever, though he was not unaware -that it might be of inestimable value to any one who -knew (as this Frenchman presumably did) the secret -of the Seven Sigils. With a parting sigh for its -enigma still unsolved, so often the toy of his leisure -hours, he detached it from his neck, and passed it on to -the Gaul, who fastened it about his own. That he was -a wizard of his word became immediately apparent. -Taking up a piece of chalk he scored out rapidly -a double circle, one circumference within the other, -upon the shelf of rock upon which they stood. -Between the two circumferences he drew a ring -of symbols of purport to the Venetian unknown, -but which he endeavoured to retain in his memory for -possible future use. Within the innermost of these -two lines of defence the sorcerer collected a quantity -of brushwood, and after having ignited these -materials he entrusted the bravo with sundry perfumes, -some in the shape of evil smelling dried stuffs, -and some sealed up in phials, with minute -instructions as to the order and quantities in which -(the incantation having commenced) they were to -feed the fire. To Magloire would fall the duty of -reciting the continuous charge which for the whole -duration of the work was to hold the evil angels in -thrall. Lastly, the Gaul drew his companion's -attention to the fact that as soon as midnight -sounded the conjuration was to commence, and -before one must end. For that hour alone would -signatory protectors avail him against the furies he -evoked. But this Tosca already knew. He was, -as we have seen, no such novice in the worship of -powers retrograde as this schooling showed his -colleague to believe. The distant clock now struck -(how well the bravo remembered all the circumstances -in which he had heard that sound from this -spot before), and the sorcerer began in a thunderous -voice to recite his litanies. Couched throughout -in somewhat dubious Latinity they were by the -bravo only partially understood, but he perceived -that commencing with extravagant bead roll of the -Heavenly powers with which they two had fortified -themselves, and with impudent encomiums of their -own matchless courage and endurance among men, -Magloire proceeded to eulogise the nine princes of -the lower world in terms the most complimentary, -exhorting them to satisfy their good friends the -exorcists in the mere trifle they demanded. As this -modest request was not responded to, the reciter -gradually changed his tone. The compliments -became thinned by degrees and beautifully less, and -were fairly well mixed with horrible threats, and -approbrious epithets, which again meeting with no -recognition, the theme of the chant now ceased to -contain any allusion whatever of a gratifying -character. All was menace piled on menace and -insult piled on insult, Pelion upon Ossa till the -riotous whirl of words merged into one continuous -curse, in the midst of which reverberated again and -again (amid the shudders of the waters and the -trembling of the earth) that ineffable sacred and -secret Name of Names, at which the celestials and -the terrestrials and the infernals do shake together -and are troubled and confused. And with that there -rumbled thunders round the skirts of earth and -belched forth lightnings from their midst. And the -lightnings continued to lighten without pause, until -they seemed all one meteor of fire that hovered over -the surface of the Bottomless Lake. And the meteor -burst and shot forth myriads upon myriads of shapeless -forms down towards the surface, whilst upwards -from the surface rose a sort of scum or mist. And -this scum or mist, meeting those shapeless forms, -they seemed to seize upon it—and work it—and -make it build as it were walls. But all was -seen as through a glass darkly, and, besides, the -bravo was still employed in casting priceless balsams -upon hissing flames that many a time and oft became -half extinguished (to his terror) by the sweat that -rained from his brow. By his side the French -enchanter still swayed his arms towards on high, -and on high unceasingly rolled his incomprehensible -cabala. The slightest fear or the slightest hesitation, -and what might not be their fate? For such a slip -innumerable infernal skirmishers were hovering hard -by in readiness. But now the danger is almost -over. The gangs have done their grudging work, -and a palace hangs between wind and water seductive -and serene where nothing hung before. The last -odours are burning. The weird wailing of the magus -is slackening into the majestic formulæ of dismissal. -Without this termination to the ritual the magicians -on leaving their sanctuary would have been torn -limb from limb by the awaiting fiends. But being -expelled as ceremoniously as they had been evoked, -the filmy hosts had no choice for it but to crumble -into the nothingness from which they came. -</p> - -<p> -"Go in peace unto your place! Peace be between -you and us! Be you ready to come when you are -called." -</p> - -<p> -These culminating words of the oration were -uttered at the very moment that the faithful distant -watchman proclaimed it the hour of one. As the -two daring trespassers upon realms forbid stepped out -from their double breast-work, the bravo in vain -endeavoured to make out the exact architectural -details of his palace in the darkness. It was pretty -clear to him, however, that instructions given had -been faithfully fulfilled. He considered that he had -done a very good night's work. How unexpected -when he left Vergilia's house was this chance -rencounter that fate had in store for him. He began -to have some regard for Providence. He paid no -attention to the wizard who was commencing to -obliterate his signs. Magloire had done his work -well, but he had been paid for it in advance. So -much for Monsieur Magloire (of France), who, he -presumed, would now be off again about his own -affairs. Tosca strolled towards the city. His -business was to wait upon his betrothed (for such she -now surely was), and drag her off at once to the -castle of her behest. A day of luxury followed by a -night of love. That was his bill of fare. But he had -reckoned without his host. He was ignorant that, in -exchange for the palace, he had bartered the true key -to the situation and most stringent claim of all upon -the regard of his Vergilia. He was far from -suspecting that essential clue to the labyrinth which -Janko had recovered only just before his death, but -which world without end would never have wrung -from him to the advantage of his assassin. This -essential clue consisted in the recognition of the hag -of Illyria and the beautiful Vergilia as one and the -same person. Now Janko had been her kinsman, -and her intimate in her former existence, and had -been privy and assistant (as we know) to the rite by -which her youth was to be renewed. To him the -inheritance was destined of the seal which she had -constructed for this end, and by the existence of -which alone her rejuvenescence could be effected. -Upon the success of her experiment, after seven days -of seeming death, it was intended that he should -restore it to her; but we are already aware that, -through the interference of the Venetian, that success -he had never seen. The memory of his obligation -being destroyed by the drug of the poisoner, the -talisman that was bound up with it became the -plaything of the bravo. The plaything of the bravo -we repeat, and it could never be anything else to him, -so long as he remained in ignorance of the peculiar -power it exerted over the transfigurated witch. For -the amulet was the invisible load-stone that at the -moment when first they met had drawn her head -down irresistibly to his breast, where it lay concealed. -Hold out as she might, she must nevertheless -infallibly have ultimately yielded to the spell by which -the Seven Sigils gave its holder power over her life. -And Tosca had unwittingly exchanged it for Dead -Sea fruit. The fantastical personage calling himself -Magloire was, on the other hand, well aware (for -reasons which, for the moment, we leave in the dark) -of the power of the pawn he thus obtained. His -proffer of the bond, in the first instance, was a ruse -(for he knew it would not be signed), and it served -very well its end of diverting suspicion from his real -purpose by making that appear an after thought. -Now that he had obtained the long-sought-for prize, -he stopped in his work of demolishing his geometry -(the bravo being no longer in sight), and stood for a -long time collecting in the jewel every possible ray of -light. Then he did a most extraordinary thing, even -for him, whose every deed was extraordinary. He -took it off its chain, which he threw carelessly away, -and conveying the glittering heptagon to his mouth, -he swallowed it. There was method in his -apparent madness. Its virtues would not suffer -in the slightest from its imprisonment. The -fortunes borne by its Seven Sigils for good or -for evil were henceforth indissolubly bound up -with his being. In this way he avoided any -possible chance of its ever passing out of his -possession. But the most urgent reason for his -caution was the imminent return of his late -assistant. He had gauged the character of that -individual too deeply to feel safe while in his -company. And in his company he evidently -intended to remain. The sun had now risen, and -the structure he had wrought by a word out of -nothing was at last entirely visible. And he saw -that it was good. The waters around it swarmed -with love and feud between fishes gold and silver -and white aquatic birds. Other feathered life -hopped the countless little streamers which -adorned the shining turrets. A broad landing -stage fronted the chief gate which was the higher -of it to the extent of a magnificent flight of steps. -As to the interior the Moorish lattices were -inscrutable. But curiosity need not long remain -unsatisfied. The handsome pair for whom this -casket was destined were already joyously approaching. -The bravo started when he came in sight of -the secretive Gaul still masked, and as at the -moment when he left him rubbing out the traces -of his circles. Vergilia started, as if in recognition -of some acquaintance perchance of her youth. The -vaguely mysterious Seven Sigils had launched their -erotic work. The bravo surprised the attention -which the Frenchman had excited—remembered -that he had never liked him from the first—and -began to look upon him as a possible rival. But -the desire to take French leave of him begot the -bewildering discovery that although the castle -floated, complete as per contract, he was powerless -himself by any exertion of wish or will to -cause it to sail to shore that they might enter in -according to the original plan sketched out by its -fair young architect. In this dilemma the Gaul -came bowing and scraping to his aid, and showed -that by a simple signal of his hand he could -attract it to him as a magnet attracts iron. And -now Tosca began to suspect the lurking of some -design in all this. His suspicions were confirmed -when Magloire stepped with them upon the -threshold of their new home, and the palace -immediately resumed its place in the centre of the -Bottomless Lake. There was now no chance for -it but to admit the unwelcome guest. Their feet -were lost to the ankles in the carpet that covered -the nakedness of that royal flight of stairs we -have already alluded to. They passed into a -banqueting hall of exquisite proportion, and sculpt -with a fairy chisel. Through keyhole arches that -overlooked a central court, the melodies of all kinds -of singing birds were wafted contrapuntally across -the strains of the equally invisible musicians inside -the banqueting hall itself, while the sun-litten -flashings of a fountain formed the organ point -that threaded through the whole—so much as this -the Venetian came, and saw, and enjoyed; but as -to the laced and liveried semblances of life with -which the banqueting hall was alive, they were -semblances of death for all the service which the -wish and will of Tosca sought to exact from them. -And here again the Frenchman came to his aid, -and these genii, at his command, throbbed with -obsequious ichor. Tables (in a second, magnificently -clothed) groaned under the newest of foods -and beakers filled at the central spring (fed from -the waters of the Bottomless Lake) brimmed with -the oldest of wines. Vergilia and Magloire -appeared infused with perfect life, but to the bravo -all was bitter in the mouth. He saw by the action -of the genii of the place that the contract agreed to, -and possibly only too literally carried out, had not -been sufficiently comprehensive. The day had -dawned, it is true, upon a tenement that eminently -satisfied the caprices of Vergilia. But the bravo was -only in name its master and hers. The castle that -mocked his efforts to move it came and went at the -motion of his rival, the servants that were automata -to Tosca were alive to the bidding of Magloire, and -Vergilia had forsaken her old love and beamed only -upon the new. Nay, she cast upon Magloire the -self-same love light which had fired Tosca's blood in -her defence when he snatched her from her ravishers, -that never to be forgotten day when first they met. -He had thought his valour saved her from a fortune -worse than death, which now he feared would have -affected her not at all. For he saw that all the -signs of an apparently virgin love could rise up like -phoenix from the ashes of a past one. And he -shuddered to think how often this process might -have been repeated. Had all her lovers then enjoyed -her perchance save Tosca alone? And yet all the -more she sank in his estimation, the fuller swelled -the tide of his desire. The long luxurious banquet -was a torture to him with this death's head at his -feast. His rage increased steadily with the jealousy -it fed upon. The long drawn courses were no -sooner over than he seized upon some trifling pretext -(we know not what) to leave Vergilia alone for a -few moments while he drew his rival to that central -court, whence perfumed zephyrs blew. The stranger -still continued masked. To this Tosca first alluded -laying his hand upon the hilt of that famous old -sword of his. -</p> - -<p> -"Unmask your face that I may know you." -</p> - -<p> -"You shall know me too well ere long." -</p> - -<p> -"Restore me that amulet unearned by your -accursed jugglery." -</p> - -<p> -"You will never see it again." -</p> - -<p> -"Then let this sword of justice decide between -us that has settled many a case for me before, and -the Devil help his own! But first reveal to me your -real style and title (and a fig for the assumed one -that you go by), that I may learn with what enemy -I have to deal that has cause to hunt me down as -you have hunted me." -</p> - -<p> -"You deal with the Resenter and Avenger of -the murder of the Illyrian." -</p> - -<p> -A shiver ran down the spine of the Venetian. -Yet his blade nevertheless flashed from its sheath, -and he motioned to the stranger to take up a position -opposite to him. Magloire turned round for one -second to do so, and in that second the sword of his -faithless foe was plunged remorselessly through his -back. The point protruded through his breast. The -next instant the sword had been withdrawn, and the -still unexplained Frenchman lay prone upon the -ground by the self-same stratagem that had availed -with the man of whom he styled himself avenger. -And this time also the Venetian took the trouble to -assure himself of the death of his victim before -returning his sword to its scabbard. That done, he -proceeded next to ascertain the real identity of this -mysterious being whom he had supposed to be one -of his numerous enemies working out a long delayed -vendetta. With a clutch the mask was torn to -ribbons, and with a shriek the bravest of the brave -recoiled from the Mandrake it revealed; and, as the -shrieker heard his shriek, he recognised its kind. It -was fellow to that one he had heard the day before -from the chamber of Vergilia, never deeming that he -himself in turn would be frighted with the same -basilisk face. But it frighted him (after all) with a -difference. The soul of the pot valiant courtier had -been reft from its silken frame, but the tempered ribs -of the Man of War held fast their trust within. His -brain whirled and steadied itself—his blood shot forth -and back again—his eye grew dark and cleared. -On to his knees he sank, indeed, that never had bent -to conquered (or unconquered) foe before, but that -was the only abatement from his pride of place. -That was his only homage to the escaped familiar of -the sorceress' privacy, that grim guardian whose -gorgon glimpse had yesterday sobered the drunkard -and petrified the itching flesh of lust. And the -situation brought its panacea. Ignorant still of the -effect of the Seven Sigils, he fancied he had -discovered now why the sorceress had favoured the -Mandragorean watchman with the love glance once -reserved for Tosca. It must be because that monster -also had rendered service to her virtue as the bravo -had rendered it before. One question still remained -unanswered. Had Vergilia herself never seen the -face of this awful animated root? Or had she, by -daily touch, kept up from the very first plucking of -the plant, so grown up along with its progressing -hideosity as to feel no inception of abhorrence? At -any rate, his Mandrakeship was now placed finally -<i>hors de boudoir</i>. And the bravo reflected that he -laughs best who laughs the last. Take heed, though, -Tosca, there rests one yet unslain till the day of final -doom, in whose danger you still stand, and whose -claws are creeping towards you from the dark places -of the earth! Who sups with the Devil had need -have a very long spoon. But now there flashes like -a sunbeam through the court the golden-haired vision -of whose destiny he now hoped himself sole arbiter. -Roused by that fell shriek, her anxiety nevertheless -was far from being for the utterer of it. With a cry -of agonised acute despair she flung past the -outstretched arms of the bravo on to the prostrate body -of the lover still bound to her in death by the magic -of the talisman he had swallowed with so justified a -foresight. The bravo knelt no longer to the -Mandrake, but to her, and with a cry plucked up the -thoughts of his deepest soul. -</p> - -<p> -"Thou wanton and thing of many lovers, yet -whom still I madly love! By the love you once -bore me, have pity on me now and vouchsafe me -but the leavings of this man or monster. A living -dog is better than a dead lion, so they say. Call -me your dog or what you will, so that you call me -yours. For you I placed my soul in pledge, and -would you now desert me in my indignity? Nay -then, if your choice be irrevocably riveted to this -carrion, so be it! But you shall share the fate of -him whom you so fancy. The Grand Seignieur is -connoisseur in the art of fittest punishing the -faithless. With my own eyes I have seen his favourite -odalisques sewn up in sacks, and dropped into the -Bosphorus. And with my own hands I will deal -with you even so. You shall have your fill of local -colour ere you have done with your palace of the -East." -</p> - -<p> -The bravo was now crouching instead of kneeling, -and gathering himself up into a spring as of a -panther he plunged upon the still disconsolable -mourner. Twining his fingers recklessly about the -golden hair he oft had kissed, he dragged her, not -without difficulty from the corpse of the Thing, whose -fall she wept, jerking her spasmodically into the hall -and overturning its furniture right and left. Amid -the crashing of shattered bric-a-brac, he grabbed at -the nearest cushion from a divan that stood hard -by, and ripping out its entrails with the ferocity of -an attack upon a living thing, he felled the shrieking -girl to the ground with a blow that would have -startled an ox, and forced his contrived receptacle -somehow and anyhow over her body, she uttering -never a syllable the while. Did she think that he -had no heart to carry to a finish such a deed? Or -was it still the eccentric influence of the Seven Sigils -that made death to her preferable to life apart -from the one beloved? This we cannot answer. -Enough that Tosca seemed in deadly earnest as he -shook together the members of his mistress, and -compressing the mouth of his improvised sarcophagus, -tied it up with the belt from his waist. -This done he left it on the couch, and returned to the -central court drowsy with incense laden flowers. -He intended to yield Vergilia one more chance. -Left to herself, and already wrapped in her winding -sheet, the present expectation of a painful death -would surely lead to second thoughts, and induce -her to lavish less carelessly the future of her youth -and beauty—the splash that heralded the committal -of her paramour to the water would be echoed by -her appeal for mercy—and he had resolved in that -case to forgive her the worst she dared confess to -him. But now to the work. Not entirely without -spasms of fresh fear he re-entered the courtyard of -the fateful duel, and where the duellist who had -fallen lay. His body the bravo now conveyed -down the steps to the landing stage in front of the -main building. It did not fail to occur to the -practical mind of the Venetian as he strained under -the repulsive corpse of his quondam adversary that -somewhere upon "his person (as he thought) must -lie concealed the talisman of the Seven Sigils. He -did not know that to find it he should have to search -for it within and not without. The consequence -naturally was that his search was unrewarded by any -trace whatever of the coveted gem. But the more -he searched and pondered—and pondered and -searched again—the more he became convinced of -the necessity for finding it, and the clearer became -to him the momentous part it had played in recent -events. He remembered now too late that while -he had it in his possession his suit with Vergilia had -prospered, whereas Heaven had begun to frown upon -him as soon as he had parted with it to Magloire. -He was too shrewd a conjuror to fail to connect -the one fact with the other, and with them both -the anxiety of the Mandrake to possess the -talisman of whose virtues he had obviously -knowledge. Yet still it could not be found upon his -person. With a fearful oath the Venetian at length -gave up the search, and consigned the fruitless body -to the Bottomless Lake. He would find the bauble -yet (he swore) by all his left hand gods in -whatsoever nook of earth it lay. And with that very -oath upon his lips he cast it off unwittingly for ever, -deep buried in the body that he spurned. Flotsam -and jetsam whatsoever touched the surface of those -Stygian waves became the forfeit of the Fiend. -Such was the fate of body and gem. No more to -appear in substance in our story, the seal of the -Seven Sigils shall, nevertheless, ride through it to -the end, completing the curse of the Illyrian. The -Venetian (ignorant as we have said of the loss he -had inflicted upon himself) once more re-entered the -banqueting hall. His purpose, before dealing with -the question of his lady-love, was to order up a second -collation accompanied by fresh founts of wine. This -<i>tete-a-tete</i> (as he ordained it in his mind) should -obliterate the memory of the previous banquet with -its presence of an inconvenient third. He gave his -order roundly to the servants, quite forgetting how -impotent his commands. The automata remained -unmoved, save for the fancy of the bravo that they -leered somewhat upon him with an unmistakeable -expression of contempt. Stung to sudden rage he -drew his keen ancestral blade, and made a lunge -at the vitals of the nearest one. In a moment he -saw his mistake. The steel shivered into a thousand -fragments, and shattered in its flight all the mirrors -of the room. The hilt alone remained in his hand, -which was jarred through and through by the -shock. But the mental effect was even worse. For -the first time a sense of impending Nemesis began -to steal upon him. This unique companion of all -his vicissitudes had been beloved of his inmost -soul. From his jeopardous early days up he -had been accustomed never to sleep without -it, until it had become almost necessary to his -slumbers that he should clap it to his breast. -Slowly he recovered, and even comforted -himself. What could his ancient hanger on avail -him in his imprisonment on that island of -enchantment? And had he not at hand metal far more -attractive—damaskeened with gold—and suppler -than Damascus steel? He gathered together -lingeringly the shards of his faithful bedfellow, -that he might cast those also into that Bottomless -Lake that had just received their latest victim. -But when he had them all embraced together in -his arms, and had thrown aside the portal that he -might descend the steps to the landing stage—he -was blasted with a shock not so easy to rebound -from as this matter of a broken weapon—there -existed no longer a landing stage at all! Where -it formerly stood the remorseless tide of the -Bottomless Lake now swept the foot of the steps! -The bravo reeled. For a moment the air was thick -with curses loud and deep upon the day when the -Seven Sigils had first flashed its baleful light athwart -his path. He now saw the full significance of the -fact that Magloire alone could shift the castle's site, -and vivify its phlegmatic flunkeydom. The castle -having been created by Magloire, for him alone -existed. The handing over of his body to Beelzebub, -of which the bravo himself had been the unthinking -agent, had finally snapped the charm which held -the building in existence. It was now slowly sinking -into the waters from which it rose, and would -continue to slowly sink till not a stone of it was -visible above the surface of the darkling deep. -Tosca reeled at this slap in the face that his fortune -dealt him. He never knew how he found himself -once more within the central court, a beaker in his -hand, filling it to the brim with a vintage of the -fountains of which we made mention before. He -raised the vessel to his lips. The next moment it -fell from his palsied hand and dashed into a thousand -pieces. The fluid he had tried to drink slobbered -over his knees as he rolled ignominiously upon the -tesselated pavement. It was no longer wine that the -fountain had yielded, but the fetid water of the -Bottomless Lake! And this also resulted from the -breaking of the charm by burial of the body of -Magloire. The curse of the Illyrian was closing in -upon its victim. The fate of the Venetian was -written large upon his forehead. Abrupt Despair -gripped upon his heart-strings. Yet still the honour -of the bout remained with Tosca. For he -remembered in his extremity that the bundle on -the couch with all its possibilities was his. In -despite of all that Doom had done he still remained -the owner of a wallet that beggared Forturiatus. -He sprang to his feet like an Antæus, all the tenser -for his momentary lapse to earth. He stretched out -his arms towards the Bottomless Lake, and roared in -tones of thunder:— -</p> - -<p> -"Hell from beneath is moved for me to meet -me at my coming! Now runs my sand apace, -and I am ripe for my enrolment in the legions -that eternally curse God and do not die! Yet -still the victory of victories is mine, and eyeless -Death shall not outstare me from it! Is it for -this you work (you who sit in the High Places of -the Pit), that I should flaunt in your faces the -most fragrant hour of Life? Oh, how you have -wrought your work awry! And you—you myriad -victims of the dagger or the bowl that I have ushered -unannealed to the account—I invite you every one -to my bridal! Is this then your vengeance (oh, -viperine Magloire!) that fruition should wait on -my desire? And you, Illyrian Janko, is this then -your revenge that you watch my wedding eve -from the impotent other side of that great gulf -fixed between? Here, on this side, I exact value -in advance for the eternal price I pay. Here shall -our ardent heat outblaze your fires, and when your -ruffian waters reach our level shall the floor above -receive us—and still the floor above—till on the -roof itself at last we still out-laugh you! Hours -must elapse or ever your icy billows reach our -hearts, and wash them to the portal of Infinity! -These hours shall be mine (though all Gehenna -gnash its teeth), and our content shall give the lie -to Hell." -</p> - -<p> -Firm as a rock, he strode to his bag and cast off -the belt from its mouth. A head appeared. But -not a golden one. Its scanty hair was grey. -Tosca recoiled. The ground reeled beneath him. -His brain was furnace, and his blood arterial snow. -With a mighty effort he recovered himself, and -leaped like a madman into the sack, rending it -seam from seam. The whole fabric parted, and -disclosed, not the nonpareil that he had placed -in its safe keeping, but the withered stubs of limbs -and yellow disjected trunk of that ancient harridan -of Illyria, whom he had seen on that never to be -forgotten former occasion anatomised by the hand -of Janko. And as he stared dead eyed upon that -death, he was mercifully unaware that his feet -were being swept by the inexorable waves of the -advancing Bottomless Lake. -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p><a id="chap02"></a></p> - -<h3> -THE HAND OF GLORY. -</h3> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> -PART I. -<br><br> -MINE HOST OF THE FOUR CROSS ROADS. -</p> - -<p> -The year of grace 1609. Our scene, a -tavern within, and yet apart from, the -bustle of a seaport town. Damned by its -site upon an ill-omened juncture of -cross-roads, which, at a time when the town had -not straggled so far, had been the burial ground of -suicide and sorcerer: haunted by bones still sleepless, -although centuries had gone since their last rag of -flesh reeked off into the medicinal air; solitary in a -crowd, except for such strangers as never learnt the -local traditions. For these very reasons it attracted -the attention of a class that feared men more than -ghosts; and thus it came to be whispered among the -neighbours as the house of call for the wizards of the -Basque Provinces. -</p> - -<p> -Such was the situation upon which the curtain -rises. Our readers may now form a guess as to the -character of the traveller that sought admittance upon -the evening in question. This traveller was apparently -alone—only apparently—for another sentient being -suddenly makes known to us his presence on the -scene. The cabalistic ring which graced the finger -of our traveller shot a double-lightning from its tenant -stone as the fist of its lord beat a devil's tattoo on the -tavern door. The demon that was imprisoned within -the ring had lifted for one second his pendulous -eyelids. Foreknowledge of his approaching freedom to be -wrought under that roof (as this chronicle shall in due -order tell), had touched up buried fires; but patience -born of immortality resumed its pride of place, and -the Demon dissembling again a hope too soon -revealed, there died in the instant all light from the -gem, and left it fuscous as before. The fist in -knocking was naturally raised above the head of the -cabalist that wore the ring. The traveller consequently -failed to perceive the eyebeams of his familiar. -Be sure if he caught sight of that glint of evil glee he -would have read in it an omen of impending disaster -to the enterprise that turned him to that tavern. The -future of cabalist and demon would then have hung -upon his decision whether to dree the weird or 'scape -it. But the significants that ruled his horoscope -withheld the timely warning, and the traveller -continued his endeavours to get hearing from the all -too early retired household. Thus the moment of -possible retreat passed irrevocably by. A wicket -sunk in the stubborn thickness of the door, was -thrown suddenly open. A pair of eyes appeared—luminous, -terrible. They fixed those of the cabalist -unflinchingly, beams to beams, lights to lights, and -the cabalist recognised in the eyes of his adversary -the self-same, tell-tale film through which he flashed -his own. Not the film of the eagle neither, that may -enable the king of birds to peruse the noonday sun, -but would impotently shrivel before the venomous -exhalations that stream from fiery pits that blaze -under fallen angels' brows, no, the eyes of the -intervisible twain were sheathed with the shard of the -born exorcist—the heir of the secrets and physical -gifts of a line of wizard sires. From behind these -horny casements they had measured the frown of -Satan's self, and danced undaunted and undulled. -Sparse were the mortals whom the cabalist reckoned -fellow-men; but here, at any rate, was one of them. -The cabalist waxed kindly, as he proceeded to -interrogate what he felt to be a kindred spirit. -</p> - -<p> -"Is this the hostelry of the Four Cross Roads?" -</p> - -<p> -"By some such name is it noted among the Vulgar." -</p> - -<p> -"And are you he of whom they whisper, under -the name of Aquelarre?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am the master of this house." -</p> - -<p> -"You are then he to whom I am recommended by -one I have good reason to trust." -</p> - -<p> -"May I trouble you for his name?" -</p> - -<p> -"To me he is known as Lisaldo." -</p> - -<p> -"Under that name, at any rate, I do not know -him; but that argues nothing. A thousand soldiers -know the lieutenant whom the lieutenant does not -know." -</p> - -<p> -"By this token you may know him, that he gave -you a name of praise and fear—that of the devil's -correspondent for the viscounty of Labourt." -</p> - -<p> -"And if it were so?" -</p> - -<p> -"Then over and above being yourself sunk from -sole to crown in the study of supernature you have -traced the gigantic plan of linking yourself together -with all else that tread untrodden ways. And I saw -that the design was good—for in union there is -strength—and if we in the far New World from which -I come, are to-day unthreatened by the bigotry of the -church, it would nevertheless be short sight indeed -if we played the spectator, while among you runs the -writ of cord and faggot. To-morrow, mayhap, we -shall be persecuted in our turn, and ashes the brethren -that could have bettered us. For this, then, am I -travelled hither, as I may say at your bidding, since -the suggestion proceeded from one who knows you, -though him you may not know; that we may survey -together the field of your danger, and in consort draft -such measure of defiance and defence as shall eat up -this persecution at the root. This evening disembarked -and understanding from that same Lisaldo, that -under cover of the tavern of the Four Cross Roads -your pursue your devil's procuracy, I have hustled -hither straight to take up my quarters beneath your -kindly roof." -</p> - -<p> -"Are you then alone or do I rightly see two -others that linger in your rear among the shadows?" -</p> - -<p> -"The one of them is this Lisaldo that I speak of, -to whom I owe your name, and who has attached -himself to my personal service; and in this connexion -I may mention that I shall require two communicating -bedrooms (or be it one with a dressing-room -adjacent) to gratify my long, and now invincible, -vogue of keeping my servant all night within my call. -My other follower is a Creole of the family -Ataurresagasti; by trade an honest seaman, but not, I -believe, too honest to be of possible use to our cause. -Told off to do us service during the long and perilous -passage he has been only too anxious to be of comfort -to us, and we are indebted to him for countless little -offices. Arrived at your wharves we could satisfy -him with nothing less than the porterage of half our -effects, and since the whole were too heavy for Lisaldo, -'twas but policy to accept his friendly offer, rather than -initiate a stranger into our destination. Accommodated -with a bed in this same house, he will be under -our united ken—should you consider him metal that -may be moulded to our purpose he need never return -to his ship." -</p> - -<p> -"Nor for the matter of that in the contrary case -either, since it were unsafe for him to have even -touched the skirts of our common secret. 'Tis child's -play for such as you and I to rot the thread of life -with an oblivious gruel." -</p> - -<p> -"We will confer upon that matter in the bedroom -which you allot me, while Lisaldo and the sailor are -refreshing themselves below. You are satisfied with -my credentials, and will admit us without delay, since -the night is wasting shrewdly?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is one thing wanting—your name." -</p> - -<p> -"My name I have never syllabled since my birth, -nor would it be possible to deceive you with a false -one, you being what you are and I wearing this ring -by whose fame you and all of life occult may know me." -</p> - -<p> -The cabalist jerked his slender hand from out of -the folds of his cloak, where he had thrust it after the -opening of the wicket. Its crouching prisoner (wiser -than before) allowed never a wink to escape him. -But that it was in sooth the very ring that contained -the familiar (renowned among the sorcerers of the -whole round world) Aquelarre well could see. An -insane impulse to strike down the insolent owner, and -incontinently seize the matchless gem, contracted -every fibre of his body. Had the door not stood -between them, he would have made the rash attempt, -only to remember, when too late, that the allegiance -of the Demon could never by violence transfer from -man to man. He ground the wicket into its place to -hide the distortion of his features, and busied himself -with bolts and bars that they might clatter above the -gnashing of his teeth. By the time he had undone -the fastenings the impulse had passed. Recollecting -all the restrictions that fenced the ring around, he -had become once more himself. Meanwhile the -nameless cabalist had summoned with a whistle his -two attendants forward. Youths of about an equal -age, the one was white as a cosset page, and the -other tanned like a galley-slave. -</p> - -<p> -The massive portal swung a-side with a suddenness -that even drew a start from the seasoned nerves -of the cabalist, though it must be evident that one -who had put together such a ring must be steeped in -no ordinary course of sciences and surprises. A blaze -of light shot through the widening passage into the -dark deserted street. A host of obsequious hands -stretched out of the blinding drift and relieved the -two bearers of their luggage. Before the three -newcomers had acquired the proper focus to even perceive -who had thus helped them, the helpers were out of -sight. Viands and vintages which had appeared with -startling rapidity alone remained to prove to their -eyes which the travellers rubbed, the substantiality of -the just present bodies. Also the master of the house -stood there, unbonneted, and bowing his welcome. -The cabalist refused to break a fast which was integral -to some experiment in hand; leaving this, then, to the -more congenial age of Lisaldo and the sailor, he -withdrew with Aquelarre to his apartments. Thus the -youths so like, and yet so unlike, at last were left -alone together. -</p> - -<p> -The footfalls of the brothers of the black art had -hardly died away above stairs when the sailor turned -to Lisaldo abruptly and whispered in a tone attuned -to every sweetness—; -</p> - -<p> -"Lisalda!" -</p> - -<p> -The page started as if stung to death, at thus -hearing an address in the feminine form of the name, -instead of in the masculine. His face at first blanched -with sudden terror, and then flooded with rosy red. -He made a confused attempt at correction. -</p> - -<p> -"You mean Lisaldo." -</p> - -<p> -"Lisalda, and Lisalda, and Lisalda." -</p> - -<p> -The sailor persisted—this apparent error seemed -to water in his mouth—then remembering himself he -became sheepish as a chidden child, and sank -presently on to his knees. The page eyed him -guiltily, then the sailor took courage in his hands and -made sensible his inmost heart. -</p> - -<p> -"I love you, Lisalda, and love has keener sight -than many that call it blind. I felt your sex from the -first hour you stepped aboard. I kindled to it with -an instinct that strangled reason. It possessed every -fibre of me through all our days becalmed on Sargasso -seas that to me seemed flower shotten meads. I -clenched my teeth on it our tropic nights when hand -in hand you walked my watch with me, and learnt -from me the blazonry of heaven. Months ago I -should have given throat to the heart that hungered -within me. But in my surly sailor fashion I only -tightened my belt around it. I am no saint, Lisalda, -I have served apprentice to buccaneers on Carribean -seas—men that never set a hand to honest tool save -when they planted chests of gold in the earth, I have -swam o' days in blood and o' nights in wine. But the -hand that scattered the brains of Don and Dutchman -was an aspen held in yours. Terror tremendously -overruled me, when I would fain have slipped the -cable of my desire, and it is a marvel to me now that -I kneel at your feet, though I know full well that my -revealment is wrung from me by the parting asunder -of our ways. Here must I speak or ever after hold -my peace, here you may infuse yourself with a heart -no less honest than rough, that has beat for naught -nor will beat for aught save you; or here you -may rule me unworthy of more that has already -enjoyed overmuch. It bodes me ill I fear, Lisalda, -that you never read a heart so confounded with -your own; but, whatever you say will be for me -the voice of oracle that is worshipped whether good -or ill." -</p> - -<p> -"The oracle is dumb to-night, Ataurresagasti, -though you have taught me that I knew your love -from the first. I cannot decide at once whether I -have done you irreparable wrong, or added to your -fulness of life. To-morrow, friend (if that title does -not jar upon you) shall learn you all your heart's desire. -And (whatever that morrow's disillusion) to-night at -any rate, your image will disturb my no longer virgin -sleep." -</p> - -<p> -"Your sleep, Lisalda, there's the rub that galls my -jealous loin. To-night that I have a share in you -(though it be but for to-night) I shudder at the -thought of your retiring to the ante-room of the -bed-chamber of that other man. Throughout the voyage -every lip before the mast has shriven him with curses -(not loud, but deep) for the wayward winds his Jonah -presence fetched athwart our course. The bated -breath of the forecastle credited him with the wearing -of a familiar spirit imprisoned in the setting of that -ring upon his hand. How did such as you come to -foregather with one so unkindly, and withal so far -from this your birthplace? And what is his need of -you that one so powerful should claim you close at -heel?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ataurresagasti, it were too long to tell you how -I came to be orphaned, and at buffet with the world. -Too long again to recount the chances that transferred -me from here to the Indies. Enough that I must -have been in desperate straits when I donned the -disguise I still wear, and entered the vacant service of -my present lord and master. That he lived in evil -odour had come to my ears, and that he never kept -his servants long, but that they either went mad or -died was more than gossip to me that first attended -my master to the funeral of my predecessor. I was -situated so sorely that I would have worn Satan's -livery to earn me bed and board. Now the secret of -the wants of my master and the wastage amongst his -servants is this: his nerves are completely shattered -by terrible experiments, the nature of which I never -dare to know. He sees through the veil that round us -wraps impenetrably. He is haunted day and night -by hosts of beings incorporately awful. Over these, -indeed, some sway of his extends (else were he long -since torn to shreds), but only by the continual strain -of every resource of his science. The demon that is -familiar of the ring you speak of—the loathsome -creepiness that writhes within a crystal cell and -impotently spits at such as dare to see—is on the one -hand the crowning glory of his labours, and the envy -of the wizard world—and on the other hand an -anxious horror that makes cheap the mere routine of -Hell. Day it turns to night, night to nightmare, -and still the worst of all remains—the hour between -midnight and cockcrow when the heavenly patrols are -relieving guard and the nether gates swing open and -all the rout of Hell are free to seek their own devilish -devices. Now you can guess, can you not, Ataurresagasti, -why the cabalist never remains alone in the dark?" -</p> - -<p> -"By the God I never praised till I met you, -Lisalda, this passes the worst I had imagined. But -do you still think so ill of me (after the centuries of -mingled life we have crushed into so curt an orbit), do -you still so little value my self esteem as to believe me -capable (now I know what your service is) of allowing -you to continue it for even yet one grain of the hour -glass? To the devil with this enemy and friend of -his, and let the poor prisoner of the ring have his day! -I, too, am a prisoner and feel for all in bonds." -</p> - -<p> -"You are the best of men, Ataurresagasti, and -fittest to be free. But for this night at any rate -(however your reasons may touch me) I must fulfil -my contract, as of use and wont. Whatever new -combination to-morrow's sun may bring, it is too late -to-night, at any rate, to find a substitute to comrade -the broken slumbers of the cabalist." -</p> - -<p> -"It is never too late, Lisalda, to crown my broad -shoulders with the lightness of a burden saved from -yours. I beseech you, as a lover whom you may yet -reject, not to refuse me this (as it may be) last sad -privilege—chance itself (if all be not fated from the -first) plays patron to my innocent stratagem. The -landlord of this tavern of the Four Cross Roads (and -may I die the day I see a more ill-favoured fellow) -has heard our names, it is true, but can have no -means of telling which is which. Do you call yourself -the cabin-boy, Ataurresagasti, and vouchsafe me for -one brief snatch, to be bone of the bone, and flesh of -the flesh with Lisalda (or Lisaldo). The certainty -that you are bolted and barred once more in a room -alone, will bear me up through all that teems from -Tophet. The cabalist is the only eye that could -detect the substitution, and he keeps (or you would -never have remained his) respectfully on his own side -the partition until morning. The dawn may see him -damned, so far as his hold on either of us is -concerned, and we will set forth (together I trust) about -our own peace and pleasure." -</p> - -<p> -"As to that I can give you no promise, Ataurresagasti, -save to remember you in any case until the -last sigh of life. But this, as you say, is all the more -reason why I should let you be my proxy, if it will -give you any unfeigned satisfaction. And here comes -back our host on the heels of our accord, and the -curtain rises on our play." -</p> - -<p> -The sailor rose to his feet. It was as Lisalda -said, for such (her secret once revealed) we may as -well henceforth style her, Aquelarre having finished -his business with the cabalist come to summon the -page to his attendance. But he first drew a bottle -and three goblets from a press and placed the latter -on one of the tables. Filling them to the overflow, -he appointed one to each to drink a parting cup. -All three raised on high and touched together their -goblets in token of sentiment, somewhat hollow. -Ataurresagasti had scarcely put his lips to the liquid, -when memory started armed from his brain. It was -hocussed. There was no doubt about it. He had -been drugged once before by the pressgang of the -pirate, with whom he had served out his buccaneer -articles. Once bit, twice shy. He replaced the -goblet on the table, the other two mechanically -followed his example. The good fellowship that -shone upon his weather-beaten face was in inverse -ratio to the ready subtlety that scanned every -loophole from within; and presently he swooped down -with unerring instinct upon the only possible coign of -vantage. The meaning eyes of the landlord had -turned upon the innocent eyes of Lisalda. He was -staring out her inmost soul. Taking advantage of -this absorption of the two, Ataurresagasti reversed -the positions of the drugged goblet and that of the -landlord. So smartly did he execute this manoeuvre -that it would most certainly have escaped the notice -of an ordinary observer. But had it escaped the -lynx-eyed Aquelarre? The sailor breathed more -freely when, upon all three once more raising their -goblets, the whole of the hocussed stuff disappeared -without question down the landlord's corded throat. -All having drained to the dregs, Aquelarre turned -and addressed himself to the quondam buccaneer:— -</p> - -<p> -"May I be burnt by the Parliament of Bordeaux -if my customer upstairs let me into the secret as to -which of you two he mastered. Now I'll be bound -'tis you, my jolly Roger (and not this queasy cabin-boy) -that has chaffered for gold his rest o' nights to -the wandering Jew up aloft there." -</p> - -<p> -"Your guess does honour to your penetration, -Monsieur Four Cross Roads, though you did -overshoot your bolt a bit when you called me Jolly -Roger." -</p> - -<p> -"Ho, ho, Monsieur Lisaldo, so you turned your -skin then with your livery, and no longer -acknowledge the Black Flag?" -</p> - -<p> -"How do you know that I had ever anything in -common with the Black Flag?" -</p> - -<p> -"Easy as lying, Monsieur Lisaldo, easy as lying. -Your face, my friend (and for the matter of that, -everyone's face), is as an open book whereon I read. -Nay, your hand alone, my friend, shouts your past, -your present, and your future to such as I that have -ears to hear." -</p> - -<p> -"Of the past and of the present I am already sick -at heart, but I am open to receive any index (what it -may befit me to know) as to how the future shall -shape itself before me." -</p> - -<p> -"A good wish upon you! I am permitted to tell -you, at any rate, that you chose your vocation under -a healthy star, for you were never born to be -drowned!" -</p> - -<p> -The sailor hardly knew whether to be amused or -annoyed at the tone adopted by the chiromantist. -He continued to balance the matter in a confused -sort of way, after he had taken shy leave of Lisalda. -Arrived in his room, he barred and bolted the outer -door with a thoroughness born of much adventuring. -He loosened a hanger that he wore at his side, and -tied it by its belt as with a sword knot to his wrist. -That had been the <i>toilet de rigueur</i> for the night -among his former messmates, the pirates of the -Antilles. In this array then, supine upon the bed, he -confidently awaited developments. To keep himself -awake he continued to agitate the mysterious -character and conduct of Aquelarre. The events of -the evening, since the ill-assorted three had left their -ship together, all forced themselves into the question. -This opened the road to a review of the whole -voyage and the change it had wrought in his life. -And that life—what turn would it take on the -morrow? What result from the heart-probing of -Lisalda? The singularity was that the more -plausible he painted the future, the darker shaded the -present, and the past, of his sweetheart. He felt it -was an insult to her to question her about that past of -which she had denied the recital. And yet he -longed—and how he longed—to rise to her from his very -bed to question her. And her relations with the -cabalist—how long before the voyage she had served -him Ataurresagasti never knew, but apart from that -it was gall and wormwood to him that she should -even have shared his state room at sea. The fancy -forced itself upon the sailor that the cabalist—who -saw through all things—had seen through her -disguise. The more he turned over the reasons -assigned by Lisalda for the cabalist never sleeping -alone, the more unlikely it appeared that a prince of -all the Magi, and tamer of the Demon of the Ring, -should show a side so puny. In spite of his better self -there forced itself upon him another, and quite -opposite, picture of the nights that these two had -passed together. Yet why (and here for a moment -he threw off that thraldom) yet why had Lisalda, -this particular evening, apparently willingly -exchanged with him the place, which by that hateful -theory she should have found a pleasance. Again -wider issues loomed in every direction, until he -returned again bewildered to what seemed willy-nilly -his keynote for that night. He tossed from side -to side. Picture after picture stood out before his -mind's eye, until he even reached the length of -fancying Lisalda at that moment on the other side -with the cabalist, while Ataurresagasti on his side -lay befooled. That she could not have got there -by any human means was a difficulty which did -not even occur to him for solution. The sweat -stood out thick upon his brow. He positively saw -Lisalda twined about the body of his rival. His -hair (he felt it) was turning grey. He saw the -cabalist (a wonder of satiety) remove that ring of -rings from his finger and fit it jestingly upon hers. -At this precise juncture of his nightmare, -Ataurresagasti suddenly started broad awake to his feet. -Dream or no dream—whatever the rest of the -night had been—there was certainly now something -awful in progress in the adjoining apartment. -Something (which he instinctively felt was not -human) was struggling for life and death with the -luckless cabalist. The hair of the sailor stood on -end. There was no mistake about it this time. -Time had been when he fancied he felt fear, but -he knew now that only at this moment had he -learnt its kind. All at once a most terrible shriek -rang out through every corner of the house. -Ataurresagasti dashed the partition into splinters -with a blow that would have shattered steel. He -leaped into the room just in time to arrest the -escape of some huge incredible beast, that stood -sullenly at bay, in the strangling streak of dawn. -The mystery was solved. Down came the hanger -with an impulse so irresistible that it sheared off a -whole limb of the accursed one. The point of the -hanger actually penetrated so deeply into the -flooring that it was a moment of anxiety (during -which his quarry, although maimed, might have -bested him) before Ataurresagasti succeeded in -getting it out again. But when he had recovered -it, the animal had disappeared, impossible to find -out how or where. This alone he saw in the -imperfect light (or rather in the imperfect darkness) -that the whole room was scattered from end to -end with blood and bones and brain, which was -all that was left of that most unhappy man. -</p> - -<p> -A sickness came upon the victor. He mopped -his dripping forehead. He turned to leave the -presence-chamber of death and doom; he picked -up as he did so the severed limb, a casual glance at -which confirmed his general impression that the -gaunt game had been but a particularly large and -loathly wolf, such as occasionally penetrated the -precincts of towns in the neighbourhood of the -Pyrenees. Ataurresagasti walked down straight into -the reception room of the night before. For the -moment the possible alarm of Lisalda at that terrible -shriek of dissolution of the cabalist had not even -entered his mind. His object was to summon -Aquelarre. To his surprise he found him crouching -there already white as a ghost apparently with fear. -He sprang to his feet at sight of the sailor, and -barely suppressed a cry. This time it was the -sailor that read, and the landlord's face that -provided reading matter. Amazement was writ legibly -in every line of it, and his eyes were opened to the -size of saucers. And Ataurresagasti asked himself, -without finding answer, what connexion all this had -with the attempt to drug him, which he had -discovered the preceding evening. The two men -stared at one another for some minutes without -finding speech, of which indeed the innkeeper, at -any rate, seemed incapable. The word when taken -up was taken up by Ataurresagasti. -</p> - -<p> -"My pharmaceutical friend seems somewhat -upset by my early appearance after draining the -drowsy cup which he compounded for me overnight." -</p> - -<p> -"And it is not natural that a landlord should be -fearful for his slate when he sees an uncancelled score -slinking downstairs to the outlet at such unearthly -hour?" -</p> - -<p> -"Alas, for your slate (if that touch you so nearly) -a fiscal fleeter than yourself has attended here this -night, and collected your other lodger's scot." -</p> - -<p> -"What means this matin pleasantry? How goes -it with the cabalist?" -</p> - -<p> -"Well, I hope, although I dare not think it well. -His reckoning, I fear, will overreach him." -</p> - -<p> -"Is he dead?" -</p> - -<p> -"As much of him as can still be traced is -unquestionably dead." -</p> - -<p> -"That then undid my beauty sleep. I thought I -dreamed an unforgetful shriek." -</p> - -<p> -"'Twas murder mouthed it. God rest his soul, -that died in such a case as he was overtaken in." -</p> - -<p> -"He died, you say, by the hand of God?" -</p> - -<p> -"I say by the limb of a wolf, rather, which I -arriving overdue did incontinently lop from its trunk. -The felon then evading by exit to me invisible, I -descended hither by what impulse I scarcely know -save that my intentions tended justiceward." -</p> - -<p> -"You meant perchance to summon authority to -certify to cause of death. But this must be looked to -by myself before anyone else is admitted. What -became of the piece of conviction?" -</p> - -<p> -"Behold it!" -</p> - -<p> -"Out upon you! What providence have we here! -O perjured windpipe you are most miraculously -self-accused by this mischosen joint! Limb of a wolf did -you dare to say? Nay, behold assassin, to your -confusion, 'tis the disjointed member of your master that -you have brought away with you from the presence -chamber." -</p> - -<p> -A cry of horror burst from the palsied lips of the -sailor. It was as Aquelarre stated. Not the hacked-off -trophy of his prowess had he carried in his hand; -by some inexplicable equivocation it was the sundered -fist of the cabalist still bearing the ring of the -familiar. Chilled to the marrow by the ghastly -riddle Ataurresagasti stammered some broken -of explanation; but the landlord cut him short. -</p> - -<p> -"Hold your peace, rogue (and fool as much as -rogue), you have miscast your account if you think to -cope in a game of brag with a man of the world like -Aquelarre. You do but squander breath which you -may want ere long when the hangman ties your cravat. -'Twas then the bauble on yonder finger whose fatuous -fire lured you into slippery sin—I misfancied even -yesternight your gallows visage, that will ere long -grin through a halter: 'twill clog my conscience till -the day I die that I whispered no warning to that -gentle sage. But by these five bones! I will lay no -second blood to my debit. Rather than see a gallant -(if misguided) boy turn rope-dancer I will hold the -nose of correction from your trail. But think not that -I shall also permit you to lay that flattering booty to -your soul—you must make over to me the gaud that -cozened you to crime. Indeed, if I left it in your -possession, you would never dare to look a clothes-line -in the face. Whereas, never doubt but that I -shall make the best possible use of it, such as I have -no time to bethink myself of at the moment. Masses -(perchance) for the soul of its late owner done to -death unofficed by Holy Church. Whatever he -would have liked to do for me had I been slain, and -he Aquelarre. Oh, I can promise you a binding -promise of that. But we palter out the time of -opportunity. Your safety lies in instant flight. The -Bidassoa lies within easy avail. Take the bridge that -throws over it at Behobia. Once on the Spanish side -of the river, the hemp is not sown that shall throttle -you. For this crime at any rate, I remaining shall -run the risk, if risk there be to run. Quick then with -the gewgaw—'tis a dull stone at best—why do you -hesitate when the path divides before you? One way -leads to length of life, the other is a short cut to -cordage." -</p> - -<p> -"You son of a burnt witch! The broom-ridden -hag that taught you to spell out the Devil's books, -and to find fortunes in hands—past, present, and future -forsooth—she taught you all askew. I have done no -such deeds as your second sight credits me with. The -matter squared precisely with my account of it, but -I am fortune's fool, and in change for my own handiwork -I took hold (I know not how) of this Hand of -Glory. In view of the public opinion that whispers -you a wizard I should not exclaim over and above if it -turned out to be your own hocus pocus that brought -about the barter. Nay, it is possible and even -probable that the wolf was but a go-between, guided by a -hand not a hundred miles from here (and I spit upon -mine that grasped it in friendship yester-even) but you -are seemingly only an understrapper in the Devil's -workshop since you cut only yourself with your -unnecessary tool. We did not do these things by -deputy upon the Spanish Main. Viewed in the light -of your press for the possession of the ring (of whose -virtues you apparently believe me to be ignorant) the -riddle of last night's sleeping draught need not long -remain unread. That after stripping you to this -nakedness I should clothe you with the purple and -fine linen of the ring would be too much for any but -yourself to expect." -</p> - -<p> -"Cry you mercy! You have signed your own -death-warrant. What you cast in my teeth is -guess-work. But you are rivetted hand and foot to the -matter of fact. Pass me the ring and you go -free—refuse, and you shall play the pendulum." -</p> - -<p> -"And would you play the gatesman? Odds my -life, and do you think I dare not go free until -Aquelarre lifts the latch? Deputy devil, look to -yourself!" -</p> - -<p> -Aquelarre placed his back to the door. The -buccaneer swooped down upon him with a yell that -split the throat of echo. With all his force he struck -him in the face with the abominable relic of the -cabalist. The effect was electric. Aquelarre threw up -his arms, and fell like a log dumb and blind to the -ground. The buccaneer wrenched open the door and -disappeared down one of the Four Cross Roads. -</p> - -<p><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> -(<i>End of Part I.</i>) -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p class="t3"> -PART II. -<br><br> -THE DEVIL'S ATTORNEY. -</p> - -<p> -The dial had sweat twelve hours of day ere we -resume the broken thread of our story. At the sign -of the Four Cross Roads (whether accident or design) -matters stood in some such case as when we opened -our first part. The cabalist having paid the debt -which he had owed so lightly and so long, the ring -now graced the little finger of the sailor. The -inscrutable door strained under his muscular fist, that -this time summoned passage. It opened, and again, -with startling abruptness, Ataurresagasti crossed the -fateful lintel. The door (which apparently worked of -itself) flew back with a horrid, ominous jar. -Aquelarre stood with his arms crossed in an attitude of -expectation. Sailor and sorcerer took stock of one -another from head to foot. But when the latter -caught sight of the ring, he burst (as if inspired) into -speech. -</p> - -<p> -"So you have returned upon your tracks; I -foresaw you would, and have awaited you. You -remembered, when in safety yonder side of the -frontier, that you had left a jewel in danger behind, -outweighing that you wear. Desire came uppermost -in the throw with fear." -</p> - -<p> -"You man of second sight, is she still here,—since -you know it is a she I seek?" -</p> - -<p> -"You set me a painful task (my friend and -admirer), if you are so ignorant of all that has -happened during your somewhat protracted constitutional -as to require the rigmarole of it from me. -However, since you already doubtless know (and at -any rate I care not to conceal from you) that I am -the official representative in Labourt of a certain -proud and damned Prince, you doubtless look to me -as to the fountain head. So be it then, and to the task. -But you did a black day's work as ever you did under -the Black Flag, when you saved your hide this -morning at the expense of your mistress's skin. Nay, -hear me out. I know that you were shaken out of -all self. But you had scarcely kicked my dust from -off your feet, when the officers of justice, whom you -so churlishly evaded had plucked me by the beard. -The swan song of him from whom you filched that -ring had pierced the universal ear. That murder had -deflowered the bed you wot of, the constables had no -room to doubt. Indeed, your Carib fashion of -piece-mealing a victim put them to the unsavoury task of -making out an inventory of the deceased. My own -good fame being above suspicion, it fell from the first -upon Lisalda, unearthed and laid willy nilly by the -heels. Her sex (another item of distrust about her) -was of necessity discovered in the Torture Chamber." -</p> - -<p> -"The Torture Chamber!" -</p> - -<p> -"Aye, the Torture Chamber. You saved your -four limbs. She will never use again one of her arms, -that was crippled in their grips of hellish engines. -The surgeon (save the mark) pronounced that she -could bear no more to-day. To-morrow they practice -upon the other arm. And after that there will be -enough of her sweet body to feed their tools a -week." -</p> - -<p> -"But she is innocent—my God, how innocent—and -I, who begin almost to believe that I am guilty, -will surrender at once in her place." -</p> - -<p> -"Small good (my untutored friend), save the -melancholy satisfaction of pressing the same rack -with her. The Parliament of Bordeaux never let -slip a single victim, nor is it any longer merely the -indictment for the murder of the Cabalist that piles -the faggots for her. You are a babe and suckling in -these horrors. I am prematurely grey with them. -Had you but seen (as I have) the mother burnt with -the child at her breast—the loving pair chilled at the -same stake—the friendship of years dissolved in smoke, -but enough—to get out of the Torture Chamber (as -you should readily guess) the corpus vile reduced to -a crushed craze will sign any depositions that may be -held out as a bait. The consequence is that your girl -has already avowed her identity with a desperate, -long-sought-for witch and sacristan to one of the -most noted of our Black Priests. So much for the -wringing of one set of nerves. To what may they -not confess her before they have writhed her into a -bag of quivering pulp?" -</p> - -<p> -"Enough, enough, enough, can nothing be done to -save her? O, you whom all this persecution has left -upright (and a refuge as men whisper to the threatened) -from whatever source your commission comes, I wrap -about me the hem of your mantle. Be your aid of -God, or Devil, I invoke it!" -</p> - -<p> -"Do you know what you ask? The Indians of -Darian are charity, compared to me and mine. Be -my aid of God, or Devil do you say? You shall rest -in no doubt upon that head. The bare mention of -the name of God is a source of danger among us of -the opposition, save when we take it (for our own -purposes) in vain. And of the opposition I -have been, am, and shall be. That with which -surmise is rife be here with certainty known to -you! You treat with one having authority deputed -from the Most High, the Prince of this World -and of Hell." -</p> - -<p> -"I have never shrunk from any, save one woman, -and I do not shrink from you. In all this storm you -are my sheet anchor." -</p> - -<p> -"Then in my character of the Devil's proxy I -offer you your heart's ease in tender for your soul!" -</p> - -<p> -"In the event of my agreeing to your proposition -how do you set to work to save her?" -</p> - -<p> -"By the substitution for her of a golem, a device -that I learnt from a Rabbi of Provence that was my -teacher in the art of cabala. It is a doll of wax (or -indeed of any substance), no matter how uncouth, and -upon the forehead of which in angelical letters one -writes a chosen name—in your case the name Lisalda—I -shall then conjure for you in a strong circle. You -will clinch the bargain with my master in person by -striking hands with him. And his claw will leave you -for your lifetime branded with his private brand. -This done he will breathe upon the golem. Obedient -to the breath of life it starts (to all outward appearance) -into a perfect double of the person in whose name -it may have been inscribed. In your case the name -Lisalda. Nor will you yourself be able to tell whether -Lisalda or the devil's coin stands before you. You -will forgive my suggesting that in some respects you -might be better off with the ideal than the real, since -it starts in life (like a child) with a clear slate and -you may teach it in what sort you will." -</p> - -<p> -"How now! Do you libel my love?" -</p> - -<p> -"I speak but as a man of the world and to some -extent of the next world also. However, to resume -our ways and means. My Prince having bestowed -upon the golem such life as it is only his and God's -to give, I then smuggle the innocent know-nothing -into the prison of your Lisalda and carry off Lisalda -in exchange. Then to horse and hey for love and -leisure—on the further side of the Bidassoa; but the -cheat will never be discovered, and in fine and -in finish the golem will run to ash like so many of -her betters." -</p> - -<p> -"Is there no other way?" -</p> - -<p> -"There is no other way. Bethink yourself. The -offer is there to take it or leave it. Shake hands with -my Master or shake your fist at him. Be one of us -or one of her executioners." -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot boggle long at that. Death of my -soul! Have with you then Aquelarre and let fruition -crowd the heels of haste." -</p> - -<p> -"There is yet one thing that you may boggle at. -You have ratified the bargain with my Master but -not the fee of my procuracy. You cannot do anything -without me and I cannot do anything without that -Ring which you wear upon your finger as my -handsel." -</p> - -<p> -"Your fee is a fleabite to your Master's. The -ring I wear is yours but not as earnest money. I -pass it over to you only after service rendered. And -now lead on to this golem you speak of." -</p> - -<p> -"Be it as you say. The preliminaries being all -settled between the high contracting parties, I usher -you to the actual presence of my principal." -</p> - -<p> -As he thus concluded the negotiation a covetous -light (like to nothing in heaven or earth) shot through -the lashes of the devil's attorney. He stood at last -upon the brink of attainment of that Ring so thirstily -craved. With an imperious gesture he summoned -the sailor to follow him and turned off behind the -staircase. Directly the sorcerer's back was turned -Ataurresagasti could not forbear a broad grin. He -had outwitted (at any rate he thought so) both the -infernal furious spirit and his attorney. And first as -to the latter. The fact was that the only ring worn -by the sailor himself, and pledged to Aquelarre by -the letter of the bond, was a tawdry hoop of silver. -The Ring that contained the familiar had never left -the dead man's hand. How then had the inn-keeper -imagined otherwise? Simply because the sailor, with -a view to better protection, had drawn up his right -arm within his sleeve and held the Hand of Glory by -the wrist in such a position as to appear his own. -The Ring which thus appeared to adorn the sailor's -little finger was in reality still upon that of its architect. -And, therefore, it was still unpawned to Aquelarre. -But this was not the only or even the first fruits of -the trick which Ataurresagasti (or his good angel) had -set in motion. As he gathered from the sorcerer that -the devil would imprint his private mark upon him by -means of a grip of hands, Ataurresagasti (or, again, -his good angel) jumped at once to the obvious -deduction that by going through with the same -sleight of hand, Beelzebub would come claw to claw -with only the dead Cabalist and earn no soul but his. -</p> - -<p> -Earn no Soul but his, which was undoubtedly -already long-earned and already in heats of hell. -Thus, by a single piece of hugger-mugger, the -buccaneer hoped to go free with his sweetheart and -do no harm to anyone. Or, at any rate, to anyone -that stood within the reach of harm, the only sufferers -being the devil and his lost. How the whirligig of -time brought round its revenges the sequel of this -story will show. Now that the reader is conversant -with what was passing through the mind of the sailor -we must return to where we left him at the back of -the staircase. Aquelarre, stooping down, by some -device which the sailor did not fathom, raised one of -the stone slabs of the flooring from its place. This -impromptu trap-door disclosed a flight of steps that -fell down into absolute darkness. A motion from the -landlord and Ataurresagasti fearlessly stalked down -them to some distance, where he stopped until he had -seen his confederate also enter. Aquelarre drew -down the trap-door after him. This last action -was fatal, of course, to such light as had -previously washed the upper part of the stairs. All -was now equal night. Yet the buccaneer continued -his descent. The steps seemed endless. At last -he stopped. He listened. To his surprise and -horror no footfall sounded above. What had -become of Aquelarre? The sailor suspected some -deception put upon him. He retraced his steps as -quickly as was possible under the difficult -circumstances of the ascent. That he reached the top -was made apparent to him by the crash of his head -against the stone. He reeled and all but fell. -What had become of Aquelarre? Recovering -himself he tried with all his might to obtain egress -but not unnaturally without avail. He mopped his -brow and tried to think. Escape being impossible -in this direction he decided to recommence the -descent; come what might he could be no worse -off than where he was even if he went down, down, -down to the earth's centre. He tried to persuade -himself that worse things happen at sea, but his -heart of hearts nailed the lie. Down, down, down! -He counted (as he thought) a thousand steps -but not without dizzy doubts. And then he lost -all count—all doubt—all but damned certainty. -He had never been sick at sea but now—and then -suddenly he staggered against some obstacle. It -yielded. It was a door. Firelight danced in his -eyes. He rolled into a corner and stood up against -a wall. He was in an underground chamber and -before him was Aquelarre. How the devil's -advocate had got there before him who can tell? -Doubtless in some devil's way. Aquelarre made -no remark upon the sailor's entrance nor ceased -from his work of drawing (on the ground) -circle within circle, distant from one another -about a hand's-breadth. The sailor rubbed -his eyes and looked about him. The space (at -one end of the vault) reserved for the circles was -scrupulously clean, as well it might be, since one -speck of pollution would have nullified their every -virtue. The rest of the subterrane was a hotchpotch -of horrors—the disjecta membra of a magical laboratory -scattered broadcast over every inch of the floor. -Here were receptacles of unsightly shapes, crucible -and cucurbit, alembic and aludel. Here were the -spoils of charnel-house and churchyard, ear and eye, -excrement and entrail. Here squat phials bore -charges of price, poison and philtre, lac virginis, and -elixir vitae. In one corner gibbered a gigantic -skeleton. In another lay a Jacob's Staff and a -Pentacle of Solomon. In a third heaped up musty -vellums, presumably occult; and of these last -Ataurresagasti picked up one, and was about to open -it at random, when Aquelarre turned suddenly white, -and fetched a roar so sudden that the startled sailor -dropped it as if it burnt him. The magician (who -had just finished inscribing his series of circles) came -forward with a brow of night. His fist was clenched -as if to strike. But after glaring some moments at -the buccaneer, he twisted his nails out of his palm -again where they left four bleeding scars. He -calmed down still farther before he could speak. -</p> - -<p> -"Madman let this teach you never more to tamper -with such wild-fire as a magic book. There are spells -on every page of that volume which (had you exposed -even one of them to the air) would have dissolved us -both into death and hell. It is easy to see that this -is your maiden bout as sidesman to an exorcist. -Were you an ordinary neophyte, even your failure -to play Paul Pry, would have quenched you the light -of day. But take heart of grace and fear nothing -mortal, for on your life great issues hang. But lest -you should make another slip (and perchance to -perdition) mark well what I am now about to teach you. -And firstly to instal our golem—yonder it hangs in -the fourth corner of the vault, suspended and swinging -above our heads. You ask me why it so suspends -and swings. I will tell you. Look at its forehead -and you will see a name, which if you could read our -angelical letters you would find to be the name of De -Lancre, of the Parliament of Bordeaux. De Lancre, -that is the torturer of our wizardry and of your bride, -and the touchwood of a thousand fires that depopulate -Labourt. But his turn shall yet be served. By the -sympathy which I have established between this -mannikin and him (by only the sealing of it with his -name) I have got into my hands more power over his -body than your untortured fancy would conceive. I -could even bring his life to a close at this very -second, by piercing his heart with a pin. But at the -moment I am content by this swinging between earth -and sky (as they say swings Mahomet's coffin) to -afflict him with horrors, to which death were meat -and drink,—to afflict him with dizziness, vertigo, and -whirlpool, with falling sickness and ceaseless belching, -yea, to the innermost membrane of his soul. But that -your need of this lay figure is greater than his, he -should sleep never a wink to-night. Nay, not all the -drowsy drinks of the Herbal should gum his eyelids -up. But behold I release him and lean him against -this wall, and erase his name with my finger. 'Tis -done, and De Lancre at the very instant far away is -restored to perfect health. Some charlatan will -doubtless get the credit for a cure." -</p> - -<p> -He broke into a peal of horrible laughter. But -the sailor scarcely heeded. He was gazing at the -figure which he understood was to be transformed -with a blasphemous breath into an exact simulacrum -of his betrothed. A greater difference than at present -existed between the two could scarcely be imagined. -Lisalda was—well we will not attempt the impossible -task of reproducing a lover's raptures. The golem -was a rude lump of modelling wax with five projections, -occupying respectively such parts of the main -body as suggested that they were meant for its legs, -arms, and head. The last distinguished itself from the -four limbs by several additional clues to its identity. -It had eyes indicated by a couple of stones. It had -ears, or, at any rate, handles, on either side, and a -third in front for nose. It had a mouth which left -even more to the imagination, since its hieroglyphic -was a herring bone. Lastly, it was thatched (somewhat -scantily, it must be confessed), with what -appeared to be the bristles of a hog. With a view no -doubt to decency, the devil's attorney tied a rag about -its middle. Another about its right arm he explained -as representing the prison bandages which swathed -the tortured limb of the real Lisalda. Finally, he -inscribed upon its brow a name, and declared -it to be complete. And now for a lesson -in ceremonial magic. Seven circles Aquelarre -had compassed, waxing smaller and smaller within -each other. In the innermost (which is where -the two daring exorcists should stand) the devil's -advocate placed a pan of coals, the same that had -hitherto only given light to the room, but of which -the real use and purpose was suffumigation. This -suffumigation was that part of the work which was to -fall to the lot of Ataurresagasti. For this the landlord -placed beside the pan various packets of perfumes -each numbered in the order with which they were to -feed the flames. And woe unto the exorcists, if in -the flurry of even one second Ataurresagasti changed -the order of succession. They had better have never -been born! And now Aquelarre girt him with his -magic sword and hung a pentacle about his neck. -The time had come to pass the series of circles. -</p> - -<p> -"Put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place -whereon thou standest is holy ground." -</p> - -<p> -Ataurresagasti assimilated himself to the guise of -his companion. He entered the inmost circle. -Aquelarre took once more his crayon and inserted -within each circle (one and all being yet in blank) a -symbol illegible to the sailor, but which the devil's -advocate translated as he proceeded somewhat as -follows: -</p> - -<p> -"The name of the hour wherein you do the -work, the name of the angel of the hour, the seal of -the angel of the hour, the name of the angel that -rules the day in which you work and the names of his -ministers, the name of the present time, the names of -the spirits ruling in that part of time and their -presidents, the name of the head of the sign ruling in -that time." -</p> - -<p> -This done all appeared to be in order and the -exorcism forthwith commenced. Aquelarre commanded -the sailor to cast the first packet upon the -flames ("and unwrap it not lest it skin thy hand"); -the which being done the former brightness of the -light burns directly a hideous red of leaping blood -and every object in the room tinges to match. The -magician draws his sword and makes passes with it -in his right hand. He places his left upon the -pentacle on his breast and commences in the following -strain:— -</p> - -<p> -"In the name of the holy, blessed, and glorious -Trinity proceed we to work in these mysteries to -accomplish that which we desire. We, therefore, in -the name aforesaid, consecrate this piece of ground -for our defence, so that no spirit whatsoever shall be -able to break these boundaries, neither be able to -cause injury, nor detriment to either of us here -assembled. But that he may be compelled to stand -before this circle and answer truly on demand, so far -as it pleaseth Him who liveth for ever and ever, and -who says I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and -the end, which is and which was, and which is to -come—the Almighty. I am the first and the last who -am living and was dead, and, behold! I live for ever -and ever, and I have the keys of death and hell. -Bless, O Lord, this creature of earth wherein we stand. -Confirm, O God, thy strength in us so that neither -the adversary nor any evil thing may cause us to fail." -</p> - -<p> -The chant of the magus grows shriller and shriller, -till it thins into a final continuous shriek. And there -mingles with it thunder, and the re-echoed echo of shriek -and thunder, to the splitting of ear and brain. And the -earth rocks until there remains no longer floor nor -roof, but sometimes one was uppermost and sometimes -the other, and only the rapidity of the motion makes -it possible to keep place in the circle. Thus, -alternately, the venturous pair stood erect or head -downwards. In this part of the ordeal, however, the -sailor's professional habit stands his friend in need; -but his teeth were twisted out of rank by clenching, to -avoid a cry. The fire (now yellow) burns foul in the -nose and hangs upon the hair in folds of smoke. Ceaseless -lightnings lash the streaming eye. Clothed as it -were, in those folds of smoke, there gradually appears -to incorporate itself a large, full, and gross -body—sanguine and gross—in a gold colour, with the -tincture of blood; its motion is like the lightnings of -heaven; the sign of its becoming visible is that it -moves the person to sweat that calls it; the sorcerer -becomes mute before the majesty of that presence and -the thunder is hushed in its breath. There creeps a -claw from out the draping clouds and steals towards -the right hand of the sailor—say the right hand of the -Cabalist rather, for it is that which the sailor clasps -fearlessly to the arch fiend's itching grip. A second's -compress—a grit of bone against bone—a hiss, -as of a branding iron, and the talon is withdrawn. -The sailor gazes appalled for a moment -at the blackening, indelible sign manual, now seared -upon the palm of the Cabalist. His heart of -hearts sings a pean of victory over a lie palmed off -upon even the Father of lies. The blowing of the -Fiend now falls upon the golem and a gradual inflation -swells out that pitiful suggestion into full and -female form. Eyes like orbs of night light the vault -and outburn the yellow jealousy of the brazier. Ears -like seashells, and teeth like pearls of the sea, hair -that paragons Godiva. O God, and is this but a -counterfeit that can so kindle our sailor's senses? -But he is recalled to gruff reality by the sight of her -prison dress and bleeding bandaged arm. He is -about to step out of the circle when a buffet from -his companion fells him like an ox to the ground, -scattering splashes of yellow flame in his fall. The -magician indicates by signs rather than words, that -the devil called up has yet to be laid before either of -the callers can venture forth with safety. And then -Aquelarre proceeds with full strength of lung (lest -haply further risk betide) to recite the accepted form -of dismissal. -</p> - -<p> -"Go in peace unto your place. Peace be between -us and you. Be you ready to come when you are -called." -</p> - -<p> -Ataurresagasti awakened to his sense of duty, -sacrifices yet another packet of incense. Blue of -heaven burns the flame, and sweet the savour that -(after a struggle) overpowers its predecessor. The -Prince of fallen pride dissolves into fulgurant reek. -Earth recovers its footing. The fire at last resumes -its work-a-day tone. Nothing but a grateful suspicion -of the incense still about the convalescent air remains -to betray what manner of work has been done. And -now with assurance the exorcists may leave their -circle. Aquelarre cannot forbear to bring home to -his sidesman the gravity of that false step he nearly -made. -</p> - -<p> -"Should your stars ever fate you again to dally with -infernal fire, be never tempted to leave your circle -until the spirit is dismissed; nay, even when the spirit -refuses to appear at your call you must still formally -dismiss him according to the rules of art, lest haply he -be actually present (though to you invisible) with -intent to pluck your soul." -</p> - -<p> -"'Tis a lesson I shall never need to learn again." -</p> - -<p> -"But now to the next step in our progress. -From the opposite end of this vault to that by which -you entered there is a subway to the condemned -cell. Many a time and oft has this been useful to -me before, for you need not plume yourself the -first that has self-sacrificed upon the altar of his -love. Parent or child—lover or spouse—have -employed me as middleman over and over again. My -memory teems triumphant with case after case where -the burners, unknowingly have burnt but the shadow -of a witch. And so shall it be again. I take the -golem with me and rejoin you with your prize." -</p> - -<p> -He touched a spring in the opposite wall which -threw open the indicated door. The bottom of a -flight of steps appeared, the pendant of that which -the sailor had descended. Aquelarre took the -apparently bewildered golem by the hand and with -her disappeared. The door closed with a vicious -snap. The sailor was left alone in a chamber -hermetically sealed and Heaven knows how far beneath -the foundation of the tavern of the Four Cross Roads. -There were none of mortal kind around save bones -of unshriven suicides who dreamed of judgment and -woke up shrieking that they made the blood of -youth run cold to hear them. These were his brothers -in exile. He was fain to shout aloud, that corner -to re-echoing corner of the vault might make him -colloquy. But was this jangled terror his that they -groaned into his ears? Was this the note to which -the lung of storm gave precedence in happier days -upon the sea? How long this weird conversation -lasted the sailor never knew. At length his straining -ear caught the footfall which he had dared so much -to hear again. To snatch Lisalda into his arms as -she entered, to feel that she yielded to his embrace -was breath and blood to our hero. But the devil's -attorney touched him on the shoulder. He pointed -sternly to the other door that led again to the inn. -In Indian file (there was room for but one on a -step) all three commenced the ascent. How quickly -it sped compared with that well remembered descent. -But the sailor found time to hide in his waistband -the Cabalist's branded hand. When they reached -their wonted level Aquelarre closed the trap, and -throwing open the door of the street disclosed (he -did not do things by halves) a fully caparisoned -horse waiting outside. His whole face brightened -into a smile of supreme content with himself and -(for the nonce) all the world. His work was done. -He held out his hand for the payment. The sailor -did not smile. He took the silver ring ostentatiously -from his little finger and placed it upon -that of the devil's attorney. The face of Aquelarre -underwent a very sudden change. -</p> - -<p> -"Gates and gulfs of Hell! Do you realise with -whom it is you jest?" -</p> - -<p> -"Jest do you say? It is sober, serious, earnest." -</p> - -<p> -"What the devil's name! You pledged me the -ring you wear on your finger." -</p> - -<p> -"I pledged it to you and I have passed it you—the -only ring I ever wore—but if you refer to the -Ring of the demon, that has never left the dead man's -hand since for its sake you left him dead." -</p> - -<p> -Before Aquelarre could recover from his stupefaction -at this thunderbolt, Ataurresagasti swept Lisalda -into the crupper and sprang to the saddle in front of -her. And then loose rein and bloody heel, they -dashed down one of the cross roads from which the -tavern derived its name. Ride, ride, ride. Dark -though the way and cold the wind, Ataurresagasti -rolls a name upon his tongue that lights the path -and warms the ambient air. Lisalda! Lisalda! -Lisalda! Shock snowy polls of Pyrenean hills start -up behind the haze. The lights of Behobia star the -drift. Its cobbles fly to sparks beneath the horse's -hoofs. The river cuts athwart the highway; the -bridge is reached. Another stride and the <i>fleur de lys</i> -is left behind for good. A customs officer leaps out -of his box and seizes the horse's head; he is dragged -several yards along the track. A torrent of imprecations -in Basque, French and Spanish. Ataurresagasti -pulls his mount back on to its haunches. The officer -is ultimately convinced that he is no smuggler, and -relinquishes somewhat charily his prey; Ataurresagasti -winds gently along the bank. When beyond -the range of pry or spy he dismounted and swung -Lisalda to the ground. Once in his arms he did not -readily let her go but showered kiss after kiss. The -horse unheeded proceeded to explore on his own -account and soon was lost to sight. Ataurresagasti -showered kiss after kiss upon her wounded arm, her -neck, her mouth, her eyes, her brow; but what is this—his -lips are blistered in contact with the hair that -shades that brow; he pushes the hair aside. A name -in fiery angelical characters is flaring there. Horror of -horrors, 'tis the golem! In his far off tavern Aquelarre -is laughing in his sleeve. Ataurresagasti stands aghast. -The creature regards him with puzzled eyes. She -does not understand this sudden change; her mouth -smiles and the first word she has ever uttered crosses -her lips. It is her own name picked up, parrot-like -from the iteration of the sailor. It had a different -effect from what the poor thing expected. -</p> - -<p> -"Lisalda!" -</p> - -<p> -His cry of agony jarred her dulcet note. Every -cord of his body was strung in an instant to one -thought. To destroy this soulless creature—to -annihilate—to erase her—to have her from God's earth. -He pounced upon her. But the poor pretty monster -seemed to feel by instinct that this was another guess -embrace from the first ardent one. And instinctively -she wrestled with him. It was an awful unheard-of -bout. Not a syllable was spoken, nor a cry. The -blood now streamed like rain from her wounded arm. -They slipped in the puddling soil. And Ataurresagasti -could not get rid of the horrible idea that it was, -after all, the real Lisalda that he was wiping out of -life. Bit by bit, and one by one he obliterated the -cursed characters. And bit by bit as the execution -proceeded a horrible change came over her. Her -limbs grew lean and spidery that she twisted about -him. Her eyes grew dull and fishy. Her hair fell -out by handfuls. She was dying letter meal. At -length he forced her to his feet still clinging to his knees. -The last figure of the angelical name disappeared -beneath his thumb. Before him there lay no longer -She but It. No longer a Lisalda, but a battered -waxen doll with two pebbles and a herring-bone -clapped on to one side of its head to distinguish front -from back. Laughable—yes, perhaps—but Ataurresagasti -did not laugh. He fell upon his face and wept. -Something like an hour passed before he rose. Then -drawing his hanger, and selecting the greenest spot, -he proceeded to dig a grave. This he lined with -masses of such wild flowers as he could find, and then -reverently disposed the golem upon them. He -shovelled back the earth upon the body, as he could -not help but call it. He stamped it down obliterating -all traces of his handiwork. He had said no prayer, but -prayers crowded into his mind. He seemed in his -tangled consciousness to have buried the real Lisalda, -and with her all his love. He drew towards the river and -stared into its inscrutable depths, turning over in his -mind the pro and con as touching suicide. But after -mature deliberation he decided, in preference, to -return to that officer at Behobia, and give himself up -for wife murder. He took a gloomy pleasure in this -idea, and might even have carried it through. But -suddenly a mocking peal of laughter—fiendish -laughter—struck, as he thought, familiarly on his ears. He -rubbed his eyes and looked across the river. On the -French side of the boundary stream, there stood facing -him the devil's attorney, hand in hand with what the -now crazed sailor took for a golem. The existence -in the world of a real Lisalda never occurred to his -wandering wits. Aquelarre knew full well what had -transpired. The sight of the discomfiture of his rival -seemed balsam to his wounded self-esteem. Nor did -he evidently as yet despair of making all things -square. He addressed Ataurresagasti at first with -real or assumed jocularity. -</p> - -<p> -"Hola? master gaff topsail, and have you found -the truth of what I once told you, that two can play -in a game of brag? Come, we are surely quits by -this time. Let bygones be bygones, and let us adjust -our contra accounts. You hold on your side what is -of value to me, and I on my side what is of value to -you. Exchange is no robbery. Cast me the Ring -across the stream, and Lisalda shall join you at -Behobia." -</p> - -<p> -"Lisalda, do you say? And do you really think -to befool me with a golem, in the making of which I -myself had a hand? Lisalda, I know, is dead. By -this hand she died, and I would cut it from me were it -not that the bloody crust on it is the only relic of her -that remains to me." -</p> - -<p> -"Madman, you rave! Oh this I never dreamed of, -that his reason should wander so untimely. Pull -yourself together, man. 'Tis no golem that stands -beside me. 'Tis your own Lisalda,—your cutest -medicine—could I but get you to take it. Oh, be but -for an hour sane, and then put eternity out of joint if -you will! Again I say, the Ring across the stream, -and take Lisalda in exchange; that turns the scale -against your immortal soul!" -</p> - -<p> -"Never waste your lies on me, man! 'Tis nothing -but a golem that you seek to palm off upon me. -Lisalda, I know too well, is dead,—by the token that -these same impious hands that snatched her into -darkness have just smothered her into a heathen -grave. I had thought to have bedded her in other -guise, but it seems my fondest star had never -appraised me as so worthy. Take away your golem, -and I shall keep the devil's autograph." -</p> - -<p> -"Perdition be your speed! This passes patience. -All is indeed at an end between us. All save my -vengeance. For I will tell you now a secret that -shall open your eyes to the imminent deadly breach -between us. This Lisalda (whose name you would -add to the long list already tattooed upon your hairy -bosom) has not, does not, nor will ever love any other -but myself. Sacristan at my Sabbaths from her -earliest years—my living altar at the Black Mass—she -is more to me than all your Ring. Nay the very -plot and plan for conveying that Ring from its -rightful owner was conceived and carried out by her. For -that she undertook a special trip to the New World; -for that she donned the disguise in which she wormed -herself into the confidence of the Cabalist, and -ultimately persuaded him to visit me at the Four Cross -Roads. Unfortunately (you gentleman swab) you -took it into your cursed costard to see further into a -millstone than other people. We tried to make -account of your sea-dogged persistency by drugging -your nightcap with a view to palm you off upon -justice (save the mark) as the murderer of the -Cabalist. But again, through your ferreting foresight -(darkened be your eyes), you tripped upon the tragedy -in the worst possible moment (trust you for that), and -even blundered into possession of the Ring. And now -keep your ill-gotten gear, and Aquelarre for the first -time in life is content to be bought and sold." -</p> - -<p> -He broke off abruptly as if unable to contain himself, -and throwing himself upon the girl with ferocious -ardour he covered all her face with kisses. Kisses -that absolutely foamed at the mouth. Kisses which -she with even greater abandonment returned. -Ataurresagasti caught fire at the sight (as mayhap it was -intended with devilish cunning that he should) and -cried out across the stream, every muscle of his face -quivering with jealousy. -</p> - -<p> -"This is the stroke that beggars fate! All is -indeed at an end between us! Bought and sold! -Ataurresagasti is bought and sold! But I can touch -you in what (in spite of all you say) I know is still a -raw. The devil bless you, and thus to the devil -with demon and ring!" -</p> - -<p> -"Stop, stop, stop! 'Tis no hand of the Cabalist -upon which the ring sparkles but the hand of his -murderess whom you love! Through you in your -ignorance it was branded with the brand of Beelzebub, -and if you relinquish it her soul will be struck from -her!" -</p> - -<p> -He crowded the words together incredibly in -his eagerness, but yet he was too late. The Hand -of Glory now acknowledged to be hand of Lisalda, -had already left the sailor's touch. It flew through -the air and as it flew, shot a double lightning of -great joy. For the Demon (so long imprisoned -within the crystal) knew at length that his appointed -hour was come. Too late, the sailor grasped the -stupendous revelation of Aquelarre. Too late, he -recognised Lisalda in the supposed golem, and in -Lisalda the murderess, whose shorn hand he had -so long carried about him. The moment that he -hurled it violently from him a startling change took -place in the girl. Her garments became shaggy -hair. Her glorious eyes narrow and slanting. -Her teeth protruded at great length and -yellow. Name of Mercy! This was then that large -and loathly wolf (a werewolf as he now astounded -saw) that had scattered the life of the Cabalist. -The huge incredible beast (with a mournful -howl that curdled the sailor to the marrow) -sprang desperately after the brand which bound -her soul. But being short of one paw she -failed to arrest it. The Hand of Glory crashed -down upon the water with an impact that shivered -its crystal setting. It burst with a flame and smoke, -and a hellish explosion with which mingled the -dying shriek of the werewolf. With a roar that -made rock the whole Pyrenean chain, the demon -thus set free had darted upon her! He shot up -as it seemed through her very body in a column -like a waterspout that seemed to pierce the skies. -She was instantly riven into a million shreds and -sprinkled in a red rain as far as eye could reach -over the length and breadth of the stream. -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p><a id="chap03"></a></p> - -<h3> -THE RABBI LION. -</h3> - -<p> -The clock of the Jewish quarter of Prague -moves in the opposite direction to its -brethren of the Christian town, yet each in -its own way arrives second by second at -the same inexorable facts of time. -</p> - -<p> -It was an hour short of midnight by both baptised -and unbaptised reckoning—a misty rain was falling -and mingled with the mist that rose from the river. -Black obscure clouds veiled the face of the moon. -Thunder roared at intervals. A flash of lightning -that lifted momentarily the edge of the darkness -revealed nothing kindlier than a gibbet. Dead bones -that once had lived were creaking in its chains. The -flesh had taken wing, the fowls of the air knew -whither. Another flash showed a living man who -crouched smothered up in a cloak at the foot of the -unsightly tree. This unhappy outlaw if he dared seek -no choicer shelter was, perhaps, even more to be pitied -than his brother above. Whatever his reason, he -made no motion in the direction of a light that shone -afar and presaged warmth and shelter. -</p> - -<p> -It was an inn. Its occupants concern us. They -consisted of a company of half-a-dozen youths that -had palpably imbibed both long and deep. Their -carouse, however, was drawing to an end. The landlord -hovered near cogitating over his bill, and yet with -an ear to the conversation of his guests, lest haply he -might catch some word. In this he was unsuccessful, -and no wonder. The language they spoke was not -only foreign to the landlord, but was that one of all -others of which the angels themselves are traditionally -supposed to be ignorant. In a word, it was Chaldee. -But how did these youngsters come to speak in the -secret language of Cabala? The reason is not far -to seek. They were students of the Cabala and of -magic under a Rabbi—one of the most esteemed of -his time. The occasion they were celebrating with the -flowing bowl was, indeed, no other than the conclusion -of their seven years' apprenticeship. So far so good. -But there was more in it than that. There was a -death's head at their feast. Something that necessitated -for its discussion their gift of tongues, something -that took the heat from food and made the red wine -show white through their skins. Upon entering their -course they had set their hands in blood to the -customary indentures of the magical schools of that -period. After seven years (so the bond provided) only -five of the pupils were to leave their Alma Mater -their occult education complete; the sixth was forfeit -to the devil, his due for acquiescence and assistance in -their studies. A point on which the academies -differed was the method of selecting among the -apprentices which was to suffer as damned soul. -Some held a kind of glorified race in which the -runner that last attained the winning-post was -torn asunder by the fiend. But the Rabbi who -conducted the reading party in which we are interested -had laughed at a decision made on physical grounds. -The graduates should be chosen (he thought) not for -fleetness of foot, but for the foremost quality of their -sorcery. The scapegoat should similarly be thrown -out not for unsoundness of wind or limb, but for the -inadequate result of Black Art cramming. Logical -enough all this. There remained but to discriminate -between the competitors. To do this the Rabbi had -decided that on the morrow of the night when our -story opens he would hold a solemn incantation. It -would be the first serious function of which the -neophytes could boast. Their seven years' candidacy -had been occupied with theory and had never ventured -on practice. They would now find out the difference -between knowing how to raise the devil and doing it. -A difference which is even greater in this particular -case than between word and deed in other arts and -sciences. The idea of the Rabbi was that beginning -gradually the terror should be accumulated ever -thicker and faster until it reached a point where one -of the men would break. This then would be the -victim to be forced instantly from his circle and -snatched soul from body by the enemy. -</p> - -<p> -The reader is now cognizant of the mysterious -business that fluttered these young hearts. We may -add that their use of a dead language had another -source besides the need for secrecy. No two of these -ill-fated ones were natives of the same country, no two -of them spoke a common speech. Such was the -cosmopolitan fame of the Rabbi at whose feet they sat -that he could pick his lads from Arctica to Cancer. -</p> - -<p> -We have already remarked that the supper drew -to an end. The six had tried their manfullest to -drown care, but they had found it impossible to get -rightly drunk in the shadow of Death and of Hell. -With despair for their toastmaster they drank every -time the health of five, and thought the more that -they spoke no word of the eternal ruin of the sixth. -The roofless wretch outside was less to be pitied than -these. They had discussed without hope every loophole -of escape and hopeless rejected all. There was -nothing for it now but to return home. The Rabbi -would never have allowed them out so late on any less -momentous eve, but he had no fear of losing them -now they had run out their course of lessons. He -had done his part, they had received their consideration, -trust him to look after his own that keeps the -tally of the damned. -</p> - -<p> -The reckoning had been adjusted to the satisfaction -of the landlord, by the chairman of the feast. -That youth (who was apparently a Bohemian by -birth) now led his companions out of the house which -some one of them was never to re-enter. And each -turned back to look at it uncertain to what tune -beggarly Fortune next might dance. They proceeded -in the direction of the gallows we have already -alluded to. Rain was still falling. The outlaw had -disappeared, but will turn up later in our path. As -they approached the grisly standard even the seasoned -nerves of the sorcerers were troubled at the sight of -its charge. They would have turned aside but for -the Bohemian, who sturdily harangued them on their -cowardice. -</p> - -<p> -"The Devil walk arm in arm with you! Is this -the way you stand to your guns at the sight of a -gutted envelope—of a cast peascod—you that are due -in but a few hours' space to outfront the root of all -evil! I tell you the pit is digging deep for him that -shows such favour then. But my liver is of another -colour. What, fear a sloughed garment, and more -rags than ribbons at that! Why I have only to set -my hand to it"—— -</p> - -<p> -The incident ended in a manner entirely unforeseen. -The Bohemian had barely touched the corpse -when it dropped upon his shoulders. At this the -other sorcerers shod with fear incontinently fled. -The Bohemian stood his ground for only a moment. -It had been in his mind that the thing would fall to -pieces, but when he felt a burning breath, and the -bony arms closing round his throat his brave soul -shrunk like the kernel of a nut, and rattled against -his sides. With the horrible revenant ever tightening -its grasp the Bohemian started to flee. In doing this -he followed in the footsteps of his companions, who -had made their way back to the tavern. The landlord -was in the act of putting up his shutters when his -late guests tumultuously helter-skeltered to his door, -and shrieked for immediate rations of strong waters. -Nothing loath he planted them again at his tables and -exchanged their solids for his fluids. At this juncture -the Bohemian appeared, alone, but sweating to the -very palms. He steadied himself against the wall -and drank off the landlord's proffer at a gulp. -</p> - -<p> -"Your health!" cried out a mocking voice from -the very midst of the Convives. -</p> - -<p> -The Bohemian dropped his glass with a crash that -sowed its fragments wide. There was a stranger -sitting in the midst of their company, and drinking as -if one of themselves; no one had seen him enter. -The host appeared as much at a loss as they were. -But the unknown being obviously man of mortal -mould the Bohemian soon recovered his wits. He -challenged the unbidden guest. -</p> - -<p> -"Who are you? And why do you drink to me?" -</p> - -<p> -The stranger rose to his full height, which was -more than common tall. We repeat that none of -those present knew him; but to continue our practice -of dealing fairly with the reader we identify him with -the outlaw with whom we commenced our story -huddled up at the feet of justice. This understood, -we record the stranger's speech:— -</p> - -<p> -"Walls have ears, and if you would know me you -must breathe the outer air. As to my drinking of -your health, between man and man, do you not look -as if you needed it?" -</p> - -<p> -The obvious truth of this remark was only fuel to -the Bohemian's fire. The more anxious on that -account to know who the mysterious one was, he -signed to his companions to come outside. The rain -had now ceased. As they retraced—not without -trepidation—the path they had so hastily left, they -noticed that the gibbet was again occupied, but no one -dared to ask the Bohemian how he had got rid of his -unwelcome visitant. It was the stranger who renewed -the conversation by abruptly mentioning his name. -</p> - -<p> -"I am Iron Haquin!" -</p> - -<p> -His hearers started. They had expected nothing -like this. It was a name proscribed, and upon which -a heavy price was set. It was the name of the comrade -(still at large)—of him that shook a leg on the gallows. -But Iron Haquin knew that these men were nothing -to be feared. The affair of the dead bandit had given -them their fill—of thief-taking, at any rate—for that -one night. The living might safely laugh them out -of countenance about that exploit. He addressed -himself accordingly to the Bohemian. -</p> - -<p> -"What! frightened with the rattling of bones that -ride the gale? Would have me believe that the -unrepentant thief descended from the cross? A sorrow -on your fears! Take such tales to your confessor, for -I'll have none of them, be sure! You had looked -too long upon the jewelled wine, and that's the long -and the short of it. I'll even touch hands with my -dead mate myself, just to show you how unfounded -your stampede. You will see no windfall vouchsafed -to me, shake I never so shrewdly the tree." -</p> - -<p> -He suited the action to the word and the event -proved him right. The sorcerers would have turned -tail at half a suspicion. But never a miracle occurred -this time. The corpse continued to hug its chains. -The Bohemian waxed wilder and still more wild, but -he did not cease to listen to Iron Haquin. -</p> - -<p> -"Fear has no share in life of mine—death has -been all too long my fellow—familiarity breeds -contempt. I believe I could make the Devil's pulse -jump could I only obtain an interview. That, at any -rate, is the one thing left that might fathom the -resources of my heart. I saved the life of a Hebrew -once, who, in return, gave me lessons in magic. I -never worked so hard in my life. I looked to shortly -kiss the mouth of hell, but, as ill luck would have it, -I quarrelled with my Rabbi, and never found a -chance." -</p> - -<p> -The Bohemian could scarcely help showing his -incredulity, nor did he care much for the stranger's -feelings. -</p> - -<p> -"What possible cause of quarrel could you have -with a man whose life you saved?" -</p> - -<p> -"Cause enough for anything and everything since -he introduced me to his betrothed and I fell in love -with her. He poisoned her mind against me, and on -a chance cast me into a well. The water, however, -was sufficient to break my fall, and I escaped after -starving many days. It was twenty years ago, but I -have never been able to forget it. He shall yet curse -the mother that bore him. I tell you all this frankly -as I told you my name, because I know that you are -not what you seem!" -</p> - -<p> -The Bohemian followed this relation, and chewed -the cud of it. An idea had occurred to him fraught -with unholy joy. He saw (as he thought) how he -could achieve his own salvation at one stroke with the -death of the intruder. How it worked out we shall see -in the sequel. This is how the Bohemian set it going. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you mean by saying that we are not -what we seem?" -</p> - -<p> -"Because, although your outer man is clad in this -world's uniform, your hearts are of the livery colours -of hell; you are students of sorcery, and no later than -to-morrow you are to conjure in your strength. Do I -not read you rightly?" -</p> - -<p> -The Bohemian stared in something very much -like stupor. Where on earth could the man have got -his information? It sealed his death warrant, in any -event. He knew too much for sure! The Bohemian, -by this time, had matured his plans, which he now -expressed in words. -</p> - -<p> -"Whatever your source of knowledge you have hit -us off correctly, I admit; nor can we deny hospitality -to such a man. We are within (as you say) a few -hours of a magical ceremony. If you are so anxious -as you pretend to face such odds I will go so far as to -yield my place to you." -</p> - -<p> -For the life of him the Bohemian could not help -something of a smile as he made this handsome offer. -He was ignorant still whether the bandit was aware -of the exceptional nature of this incantation. His -reply would decide that point. If he knew the rules -of the approaching contest he would certainly refuse. -If he did not, he could hardly maintain his fame -without becoming a substitute for the Bohemian. To -do him justice, Iron Haquin did not hesitate for a -moment. -</p> - -<p> -"Your hand upon the bargain, man, and never fear -but I shall do you credit. Since the beginning of -recorded time there shall have been no such -conjuration. We will quench the light of adverse stars. -Hell's idiom has no word for what we shall do." -</p> - -<p> -Still wearing the same sardonic grin, the Bohemian -broke in upon this enthusiasm. His department was -the practical. -</p> - -<p> -"Permit me to draw your attention to the fact that -we have been drifting slowly on and shall soon have -reached the Rabbi's house. It befits us, therefore, to -arrange our order of business. It may not have -occurred to you that the Rabbi must know nothing -about this. If he did he might possibly veto the -affair. But there will be no difficulty in circumventing -him. The house is built square around a central -court where the conjuration will take place in open -air. You will enter with us muffled in your cloak, -and your presence will not be detected among so -many; you will conceal yourself under the staircase -while the Rabbi takes us to our bedrooms, which are -the topmost of the house. The old gentleman locks -us in all night, for we are strictly looked after, I can -assure you. When we are released (after a brief -slumber) it will still be dark, and if I slip into your -hiding-place and you assume my authority I do not -see why the Rabbi should be the wiser. As to the -risk you run that is, of course, more your affair than -mine. I shall pray for you from my coign of vantage -if I can remember any but backward prayers. But -now, confess, are you not moved at length with fear?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nay, by horn and hoof! I shall weather the -devil as I have got the weather of death, and be -hail-fellow-well-met with both! At the worst a man can -die but once—I had rather thus than a prod and a sod -like so many that I have sent to their account. And, -to end all, is this your destination? Why, it is the -house of Rabbi Lion!" -</p> - -<p> -"The Rabbi Lion is our teacher." -</p> - -<p> -The Bohemian was only too glad that the matter -was thus settled. His fears for himself, and of the -other, were disposed of in one ingenious coup. The -remaining five sorcerers had followed the negotiations -with mixed admiration and envy. From them no -remonstrance was to be expected, quite the contrary, -since they believed and hoped that the bandit as a -novice in magical matters would be the one to pay -penalty to the fiend. They had yet to find out that -their dupe had more knowledge than they bargained -for. Meanwhile the Bohemian has knocked at the -door. From within there comes a clangour of bolt -and bars. The door is opened, and the Rabbi appears. -His pupils enter in as much of a hustle as possible, -allowing Iron Haquin to conceal himself as arranged. -The students file upstairs to be disposed of by their -tutor, who will presently return alone. -</p> - -<p> -During this absence of the Rabbi, Iron Haquin -took by the forelock the opportunity of looking -around. The courtyard itself was bare, the lofty -walls of the house built it in on all four sides. -Under the roof half-a-dozen windows seemed to -indicate the garrets of as many students. On the -level of the ground there was nothing but two doors -to break the monotonous courses of stone. One -of these massive portals was that of the street -through which Iron Haquin had entered. The -other, which faced it on the opposite side, had been -left ajar by the Rabbi. It was of a certainty -the passage way to his sanctum. The bandit -approached it and looked through. A mighty -chamber lay behind. The light which streamed -from it into the courtyard was engendered by a -central lamp, one of that sort which are -traditionally reputed to burn with an everlasting flame; -from the ceiling hung stuffed reptiles and other -grotesques that seemed to shiver in the current of -fresh air. Tables conveniently disposed for work -were loaded with books and manuscripts; every -available niche and nook was piled with tools of -necromancy that the bandit had no time to identify. -Hearing the steps of the Rabbi descending, he -slipped to his covert just in time. The ancient -Israelite re-entered his studio and slammed the door -behind him. The wondrous light was thus -extinguished, and the courtyard plunged in darkness. -But not for long. The outlaw had scarcely disposed -himself for sleep—better quarters this than the -gibbet's foot—when the door was again thrown -wide. He looked in the expectation of seeing -once more the Rabbi's work-room; but to his utter -surprise and consternation it was a different room -altogether, though indisputably the self-same door. -This time it was a lady's boudoir that was revealed, -of immense size, imperially furnished—a thousand -mirrors flashing back its chandeliers. There was -no trace of the Rabbi who had just entered that -very door, instead, a beautiful girl of about twenty -summers glided out to the cooling breeze. Had -it not been for her Iron Haquin would have been -dumbfounded at the inexplicable shift of rooms. -But the moment he set eyes on her so much greater -a surprise beset him that it drove all other out of -mind. -</p> - -<p> -It was the woman of whom he had spoken to the -Bohemian—the woman who had cut friendship, and -all but wrought his death—the woman whom still he -loved. He strode forth without a second thought. -</p> - -<p> -"It is her very self!" he cried. -</p> - -<p> -The girl smiled at him as in recognition. Not the -least surprise did she show at this strange meeting. -She called him by his name. -</p> - -<p> -"Iron Haquin!" -</p> - -<p> -"You know me after all these years?" -</p> - -<p> -"Who better among men should I know after all -that passed between us? And did you not first know -me?" -</p> - -<p> -"That is not the same thing. I am twenty years -older, but you—I can hardly believe my eyes—are the -girl of twenty years ago. Has time, too, been fooled -by those eyes of yours which I have often said would -split a lover's coffin?" -</p> - -<p> -"Believe me, my friend, Time's ravages are here -as surely as that you will never see them. It is your -love now, as ever, that blinds your eyes and drapes a -faded woman in your poetry. When I am dead, and -my body an ordinary for worms, you will see me still -in fancy's eye just the girl you see me now. And by -the same token you, that speak of being twenty years -older, are in my eyes the brave and innocent boy -whose lips were once my food." -</p> - -<p> -"Then you loved me all the time, after all?" -</p> - -<p> -"At that age, what did I know of love—or -loathing?" -</p> - -<p> -"But the Rabbi?" -</p> - -<p> -"He is old," she cried, "past passion. Ah, -Haquin, you would not know him now!" -</p> - -<p> -"I cannot make it out that you are still sweet and -twenty. Here is a waist would warm the arm of -death! You are, if anything, lovelier, transfigured, -haloed. You would hurry the pace of a star! Tell -me true now, is it not some elixir of the Rabbi's that -has pinnacled you beyond the teeth of Time?" -</p> - -<p> -She laughed. -</p> - -<p> -"Elixir of his! Why he would swallow it himself! -And to prove how little I lean on him you may -kill him if you will! -</p> - -<p> -"An assassination!" gasped the bandit, "the man -knows no sword play." -</p> - -<p> -He was thinking, as he spoke, of the primitive -device by which his rival had once tried to get rid of -him. -</p> - -<p> -"A duel!" returned the Jewess, "for if he knows -no sword play he can measure swords with steel they -forge below. You are a tall man of your hands when -knives are stripping, but at his trade you are the -Rabbi's fool. You will need all you know to join issue -with him in ceremonial of magic. No later than this -morning must you pit your strength against him, for -to that you were decoyed hither." -</p> - -<p> -"Decoyed! I came of my own free will, for an -adventure to my mind. The story is worth telling. -I was dying for a sensation, so I decided to cut down -a comrade and give him more decent sepulchre than -a gizzard. I had just got his corpse in safety to the -ground when I heard a confusion of coming footsteps. -Fearing it might be noticed that the gibbet was naked -I swung myself into the chains. I knew from their -conversation they were magical students that passed. -I had a yearning to foregather with such once more, -as I did in the days of my youth. A practical joke -gave me the opportunity, and Heaven be praised for -the good hap!" -</p> - -<p> -Iron Haquin was about to improve the occasion, -but, at this interesting juncture, a howl of rage -discharged through the upper air. It came from the -head of the Bohemian thrust out of his window. The -Jewess snatched up the two hands of her lover and -pressed them to her fervid lips. Almost before he was -aware of it she had retreated to her bower, and closed -the door behind her. At the same moment the -Bohemian, having wriggled through his window, -leaped headlong into the courtyard. He came down -unskilfully. Iron Haquin thought he heard his leg go. -He lay there groaning, and then burst into invective -against the outlaw. -</p> - -<p> -"The devil rough-ride you that have seen, so close, -a dream I only sighted from afar. Bestride me the -succubus, if I would have brought you hither had I -known she would come out to-night. The skies are -dark as a wolf's throat, and I believed she only walked -in the moon. Full many a night I watched it shine -on her silken hair—silken as the touch of sin—long, -so that when she unbound it she stumbled in her -locks. Her silver body was fragrant as the boundaries -of hell. Death and dissolvement! Let me get you -in my grips, and you shall never see her twice! Help -me to my feet and unfold your blade, and then bite -on what prayers you know!" -</p> - -<p> -The bandit surveyed this unexpected rival with -something very much like fellow-feeling. Then he -voiced the question that was uppermost in him. -</p> - -<p> -"How old did you suppose her?" -</p> - -<p> -"How old? What do I care how old? Old -enough to be loved and to love." -</p> - -<p> -"How old did you suppose her?" -</p> - -<p> -"If you insist on it, I suppose she wears some -twenty years, and a queenly garment they!" -</p> - -<p> -"What! Twenty years in your sight also! Why -I tell you this very girl is the one of whom I spoke to -you that I loved twenty years ago." -</p> - -<p> -"You lie, by the Father of Lies!" -</p> - -<p> -The bandit clapped his hand to hilt, and as -instantly snatched it away. -</p> - -<p> -"I fight with no cripple," he hissed in his teeth, -"but you shall hear from herself God's truth!" -</p> - -<p> -So saying he ran his great strength against that -door. Twice and thrice he rammed it. It did not -flinch. He went back a few steps to acquire a fresh -impetus. But before he could return to the attack it -flew abruptly open, as if moved by some hidden spring. -Iron Haquin uttered an astonished cry. The boudoir -was no longer there! -</p> - -<p> -The mysterious chamber had undergone another -Protean change. To speak more by the book, there -was no longer any chamber. The door framed nothing -but blackest darkness. Neither ceiling, nor walls, nor -floor could be distinguished. By this time the -Bohemian had struggled to his feet, and now hobbled -in the direction of the door. -</p> - -<p> -"Back, back," cried the bandit, "this is no place -for you, nor for any christened man. The foundations -of this house are laid in hell. Back, back, as you -value your infinite soul!" -</p> - -<p> -"To heel," shrieked the Bohemian, and he whipped -our his sword, "lest I strike you in the place where -you live! This is my hour, and you shall not be the -only one to take her between your hands." -</p> - -<p> -Before Haquin could forestall him, he had -leaped the grinning door, and disappeared in -enigmatical gloom. He was scarcely lost to sight, -when a shriek rang out, beyond conception awful. -It was his death-note. The whole air curdled. Iron -Haquin fell upon his knees. What grimmest of -riddles the victim solved no man shall ever know. -His body—even as his soul—was lost in that -abysmal horror. For a while Haquin gazed at it, -and saw no sign, nor heard what could be called -a sound. It was a grave that gave up no dead. -</p> - -<p> -At last, the outlaw rose and crossed himself, -and closed the door upon its secret. Withdrawn -to his corner, he set himself to think what monstrous -enigma couched behind there. The worst of it -was that it threw still more suspicion on the woman. -But was she a woman at all? In his wanderings -across Europe, from sea to sea, he had never lost -the Jewess out of mind. Whenever it was possible to -acquire later news of her, he spared no pains to -do so. But the gossip, through which alone at -such a distance he could keep himself in touch -with her circumstances, was always vague, and -often contradictory. He had been circumstantially -assured of her death, and as circumstantially -undeceived. But now he began to wonder if that -report might have had foundation. To assume that -upon losing her the Rabbi had supplied her place -with a familiar culled from the females of the pit, -would explain nearly all that he had seen. Was -it woman or nightmare that couched behind there? -He had arrived at no decision when the door again -flew open, and he stretched out his head for the -next development. But the panoramic capacity of -the door seemed, for the time being, to have played -itself out. The view was only the old one of the -laboratory out of which the Rabbi stepped. -</p> - -<p> -He was loaded with apparatus of ceremonial -magic; he deposited it upon the ground; he closed -the wonder-working door. His next step was to trace -out two enormous circles, one within the other. The -outer one embraced the whole area of the courtyard, -the other one ran inside it at a distance of about a -yard all round. Between the circumferences of these -two circles he inscribed seven smaller ones, at equal -distances apart. The outlaw, who, though disappointed -at the drying-up of the resources of the door, watched -all these proceedings with attention, perceived that -the seven circles were intended—one each—for the -Rabbi and his six attendants. He concluded that the -ill-starred Bohemian, as having been undoubtedly -cock of the school, would be assigned one of the two -circles next the master, which was precisely the post -Iron Haquin would have chosen. He was in some -doubt, however, as to whether there might, or might -not, be a miscarriage when the bedroom was found to -be unaccountably empty. Fortunately, the Rabbi -(after placing a pan of living coal in each circle) went -upstairs to unlock each door, and came down again -at once, without opening any. This may have been -intended to allow time for his disciples to dress, but -he bore as well the air of one having forgotten -something, and ran as fast as his years would permit him -to that door of doors. The outlaw noted as the -Rabbi passed through that it was the boudoir this -time visible. Apparently the thing worked round in -a cycle. The Rabbi emerged again almost at once -with a look of considerable relief. All this was Greek -to the onlooker. The five candidates now appeared -and took up the circles pointed out to them. The -outlaw pulled his hat well over his features, and (as it -was still dark) hoped to pass muster. He saw, as he -had expected, one of the places of honour was left for -the Bohemian. He boldly took his stand there; he -had now burnt his boats, and must go through. The -Rabbi had not yet syllabled a word, reserving his -strength for the strain to come. He silently divided -among his assistants the remainder of what he had -brought out of his store room. This consisted of -civet, amber and musk, of benzoin, camphor and -myrrh, of every fragrance that wizards burn. -</p> - -<p> -The Rabbi then stepped into his own circle and -commenced a preliminary prayer. The supreme -moment had come. -</p> - -<p> -A sudden glow invaded the veins of the amateur -exorcist (late Iron Haquin) as he heard that -well-known voice. Bit by bit, as he warmed to the work, -he remembered the ritual which this very man had -once been at pains to teach him. From time to time -the other five chimed in with the responses. Iron -Haquin dared not risk the recognition of his voice. -As the ceremony proceeded the air seemed to grow -more dense until it became a matter of difficulty to -breathe. It was thickening with, as yet, invisible -elementals. Anon the outlaw's attention was drawn -to the glances of his fellows, which timorously sought -the empty space enclosed by the inmost of the two -circles. He was somewhat dashed—even he—to see -that this empty space had sunk below the level of the -courtyard. Worse, it continued to sink until it -disappeared altogether. The magicians now stood in -their seven circles, around the circumference of a well. -Even this was not the worst, as the bottom, though -out of sight, must still be sinking, and would sink to -the very confines of the underworld. Connexion was -to be opened with the bottomless pit by means of this -bottomless shaft. Having arrived at this by no means -engaging conclusion, Iron Haquin had only to wait -for the end. It came with a sudden smother and -smoke that belched from the mouth of the chimney. -The Rabbi threw instantly perfumes upon his fire, and -his acolytes did likewise. Essence and quintessence -fought desperately with the evil odours of this smoke -that came straight from eternal fires. And there was -borne up with the smoke a weird hubbub of voices, -that blasphemed in every tongue. Cracked lips of the -damned shrieked execrations in languages long dead, -whose accents unintelligible made heart stand still. In -vain the Rabbi raised his voice that had never ceased -from the first onset. His exorcisms were drowned in -oaths both loud and deep, and with the rush and roar -of furnaces stoked with blood. And now the thick -air showed faces that peered in their eyes, and -gibberings that were not faces, creeping and crawling -things. The outlaw's skin had long ago wrung out -its last drop of sweat. The Rabbi's white hair stood -all on end. The moment for the trial had come. -</p> - -<p> -Iron Haquin threw his hat out of the circle where it -was instantly torn into a million shreds; His face -thrust abruptly into the Rabbi's line of sight, he -roared in tones of thunder:— -</p> - -<p> -"Rabbi Lion, I am Iron Haquin!" -</p> - -<p> -The effect upon the Rabbi was electric. His eyes -started out of his head. The chant died away upon -his lips. He dropped like a stone into the pit. One -long low moan reverberated from side to side, broken -up by peals of hellish jubilee. A terrible voice that -hushed all else cried out three times— -</p> - -<p> -"Lost! Lost! Lost!" -</p> - -<p> -This was the climax, and Iron Haquin the man to -bear the brunt of it. No help was to be expected -from the five sucking sorcerers. They were ridden to -rags. The last events had crowded so quickly -together that the outlaw practically took up the litany -where the Rabbi dropped it. He gave it such voice -as would have been a surprise to the others, were -they in a state to make the observation. The fact is, -Iron Haquin was drunk with the cup of revenge. For -two pins he would have bearded the fiend. The -infernals shrunk from the lash and lather of such -magnificent rage expressed in the highest terms of -art. They of the pit sucked in their smoke and -hushed the outlet of despair. The centre of the -courtyard reappeared, air refined itself, victorious -sweet scents flung wide their banners. -</p> - -<p> -"Go in peace unto your place. Peace be between -us and you. Be you ready to come when you are -called." -</p> - -<p> -This final, formal leave-taking of the spirits, -without which no magician worth his salt would ever -abandon his circle, wound up what had once looked a -serious business. The six could now quit in safety -the circles which a moment before had been their only -bulwark against perdition. The students were too -limp to pay any attention to the giant that had taken -their world upon his shoulders. Their little remaining -sanity was all bent to the desire to get away from -an accursed house. They stumbled out of the front -gate, which the outlaw had to open for them, and -scattered to the four winds of heaven. -</p> - -<p> -The coast being now clear the bandit made for that -other door which had played so many parts. On -what would the curtain now arise? He opened and -discovered the boudoir. A repetition of its last role. -The cycle theory was thus effectually disposed of. -There was nothing for it but that the door obeyed -some arbitrary will. Scarcely its own. The Rabbi -was dead, and worse. There remained then only the -Jewess. But where was she? The chamber had no -outlet. She could in no wise have left it. Our hero -ransacked every corner, he upset, and set up, and -upset again every priceless piece of furniture, tore -down silk and satin, and threw jewels under foot, -ground beneath his heel the command of armies, and -the price of the honour of queens. At last his eye -was arrested by a common glass bottle, he was -fascinated by it, he held it to the light, he all but -dropped it. It contained the object of his search. -</p> - -<p> -Yes, there was no doubt now of the death of his -former love. No doubt but that the Rabbi's diabolical -art and craft had replaced her by a familiar spirit. -This was the receptacle in which he confined the -familiar at seasons when he was not in need of her. -This was the familiar herself within the bottle, reduced -most delicately small. She still wore the guise of his -long lost wife with which her master had endowed -her. She still caused a pang to the iron heart of -Haquin to see her down to such poor prison. And -she knew her power over him. She knew that he -would find a way. She smiled at him divinely, she -clasped her tiny hands in prayer to him. But he was -aware that he must needs release her. He neither -thought nor would have cared that, now her master was -dead, once released there was no controlling her. It -just had to be done. But how to set about it? The -stopper was sealed down and with a talismanic -character on the seal. It was the uttermost secret of -the Rabbi. Iron Haquin could not read it, and without -reading it could never open the bottle. There -remained but one avenue of escape—the bottle must -be broken. With all the strength of his iron arm he -dashed it to the ground. There was a tremendous -explosion, a roar like thunder, a flash before his eyes. -Not a mirror in the chamber but was shattered and -scattered. A rapidly enlarging female form escaped -from the shards of the broken bottle. It lost as it -enlarged all resemblance to the well-remembered -Jewess. It became indefinite, it thinned into little -more than a mist. It gradually disappeared, yet, as -the last waft of it brushed his face the passionate lover -thought he felt once more his sweetheart's lips. But -he looked around and saw himself alone with solitude, -and wreckage, and desire of death. -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p><a id="chap04"></a></p> - -<h3> -THE EVIL EYE. -</h3> - -<p> -Our story opens upon a gloomy function; -the burning of a gang of wizards and -witches. -</p> - -<p> -The bells were ringing, but it was a -muffled peal, and the hammers were -subdued that wrought the scaffolding in the market -place. The steps of the citizens were as those that -seek pleasure or plunder by night, and the very -soldier trailed a pike most unsoldierly silent. A -stranger, who, from the singularity of his appearance, -would have attracted notice on any other occasion, -to-day threaded unchallenged this German town. -</p> - -<p> -Tall he was, worn down to the bone, gaunt and -prematurely grey, hollow-cheeked and hollow-eyed. -His dress might be described, with no great stretch -of language, as little but nakedness visible. But -it was sweet with the scent of the sea, and the roll -of the sea was in his long legs, as he wound his -way to the central square. He looked neither to -the right nor to the left. Arrived at his destination -he took no heed of the ominous carpenters, nor -of the wood-work to which they were putting the -finishing touch. He walked straight—and as if -by instinct rather than by eye—into a certain tavern -of those that debouched upon that place. He might -have been supposed to be dumb as well as blind, -since he merely made a pantomime expressive of -hunger as he sank into one of the seats. The -landlord looked with doubt at his visible assets. A -sad thing of the nature of a smile flickered upon -the burnt and blistered visage of the sailor. He -evolved a coin from some miraculous hiding-place -in the cobweb that was his apology for raiment. The -landlord bit it, rang it, and bit it again. Ultimately -he appeared satisfied, and placed food before his -customer. The speed with which it vanished would -have justified an observer in antedating considerably -the stranger's previous meal. Leaving a clean plate -he threw himself back in his chair and steadily -regarded the landlord. -</p> - -<p> -Then he asked, not without emotion, -</p> - -<p> -"Don't you know me, old comrade?" -</p> - -<p> -The landlord started as if shot. -</p> - -<p> -"By all the saints and saintesses! <i>Marquard!</i>" -</p> - -<p> -"Aye, Marquard it is; but not the Marquard -you knew of old. It was an evil hour I ran away -to sea." -</p> - -<p> -"But why have you not returned these years?" -</p> - -<p> -"Returned! He asks me why I did not return! -I that—before I had been long enough aboard to be -on good terms with my inner man—was captured -by the Algerine! I that have been chained to an -oar in the galley of Barbarossa every day of these -years of which you speak! But pay no heed to what -I say. There is news for which I burn. You that -have lived humdrum can tell me of <i>her</i>, for whose -coquetries I lost patience and exiled myself." -</p> - -<p> -"She lives," murmured the landlord, in a -half-hearted way, and he looked upon the floor. -</p> - -<p> -"She lives! And what of my rival that I -thought she preferred to me?" -</p> - -<p> -"He lives, if you mean the Hungarian, whose -name we could never pronounce, and whom we -used to call Teremtette from his favourite oath." -</p> - -<p> -"Come, tell more about them both." -</p> - -<p> -The landlord cast a troubled eye upon him, -and again looked down. He spoke with distinct -embarrassment. -</p> - -<p> -"Prepare yourself for the worst, my friend. -Remember that he of whom we speak was always -a hobnobber with sorcerers, and a sorcerer suspect. -After your departure he became a sorcerer -confessed." -</p> - -<p> -"And <i>she</i>, man! What of her?" -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! She followed wherever he led, though -the devil's shadow was all his light. She lived -with him for a time after you abandoned the field -to him." -</p> - -<p> -"I knew it! In my dreams they were husband -and wife, the while I hugged a bare board to my -aching heart." -</p> - -<p> -"Husband and wife! They were never that, -save at some witches' sabbath, mated by priests -unfrocked and anathematised, but not in the sight -of gods or men." -</p> - -<p> -"Then she is free, and I shall steal her from -him yet. I will marry her, but I will kill him first." -</p> - -<p> -"You know not what you say. He is swollen -in power until he is acknowledged the master -magician of all Germany. It is <i>whispered</i> that he -made a pact with Satan, and in pledge thereof -exchanged one of his eyes for an eye of the fiend's. -It is <i>known</i> that he walks abroad with one eye shut -until he wishes to perform some evil. Then he lifts -the eyelid and shoots forth a spear of light from -that eye which is not his own. And it blasts whereever -it falls. For this reason we call him the Evil -Eye." -</p> - -<p> -"His backbone shall be limp for me, his front -abased, his star is set, his grave is dug, his flesh -already rots! I will bury him in a church that he -may hug false hopes of salvation, and then I will set -my feet on his gravestone when I stand with her -before the priest. He shall shriek curses from his -coffin while I knit her life to mine, until the -scandalised sacred earth shall spit him forth to those -that lie in wait." -</p> - -<p> -"Unhappy man, you are still dreaming of the -girl you left behind! Do you not realise that, now -years have rolled over her, she is a mother witch? -Nay, there is worse that I had hoped to spare you. -Did you not notice the stakes erected outside in the -market place? To-day a host of women, and not a -few evil men, are to wipe out their crimes with the -last payment. At this very moment the sad procession -is entering the square. Do you recognise no -prisoner among them?" -</p> - -<p> -He threw open the door. It was even as he -said. The sailor sprang to his feet and scanned -the accused. -</p> - -<p> -"I do not see him there!" -</p> - -<p> -"Not he, he flies too high for judge or jury, the -devil's true knight, hell sublimate! But look again. -Do you not recognise one of the women?" -</p> - -<p> -With a terrible foreboding Marquard strained his -eyes, but saw no face that corresponded to his -memories. They were, without exception, abominable -hags that were to suffer. But one of them had at -once recognised <i>him</i>. Recognised him, in spite of the -awful change wrought by his captivity. The foulest -beldame of them all stretched her skinny arms to him. -Her cracked voice called his name. -</p> - -<p> -"Marquard!" -</p> - -<p> -An icy hand gripped the galley-slave's heart-strings. -In that second he lived all the years since -last he had seen her. He saw (in his mind's eye) -golden hair shade to grey, skin become parchment, -roses and lilies scatter in dust. He recognised her, -and he leaped forward to her like an arrow from a -bow. The spectators parted in amaze, to right and -left. Guards and executioners fell back from his foot -and hand. He caught the outstretched hands of the -witch in his. He devoured her with his looks, and she -him. He was as one in a dream. He scarcely felt -her press something round into one of his palms. She -whispered so that he alone heard her:— -</p> - -<p> -"Marquard! It is a charm I am giving you that -has cost me dear. It will protect you from all evil, -and especially from <i>him</i>. As you love me, never part -with it while you live. I dare not wish you well lest -my prayer should blast you. Good-bye, and think -sometimes kindly of me." -</p> - -<p> -He would have retained her, but she drew her -fingers away, leaving with him that globular -thing to which he paid no attention. She kissed him -with her eyes. He tried to speak, but words were -choked in sobs. And now the soldiers, both horse -and foot, bore down upon him. A cry of rescue was -raised by some of the crowd that were interested in -the prisoners. Others shouted them down, and shook -their fists in Marquard's face. The wildest confusion -reigned. His rags were torn from his back. A -hundred blades were thrust into his flesh. Those -that had taken his part pulled him one way, the more -law-abiding citizens pulled him another. His head -swam, he lost his footing, he fell, and was trampled -alike by friend and foe, in the pitched battle that was -fought over his body. He lost consciousness, and -knew no more. -</p> - -<p> -When he recovered his painful identity, it was -some time before he could remember what had passed. -He was sick, as he fancied, from the rollings of the -galley, and sore from the laying-on of the taskmaster's -whip. It was the possession of a certain ball, which -he still clutched in his palm, which, after he had -stared at it for a while, led him back to truth. When, -by degrees, he had recovered his memory, he tried to -make out of what substance it was formed, but without -arriving at any conclusion, he carefully stowed it -away. He was most puzzled by the fact that he was -in a room. It was dark, so that a considerable time -must have elapsed. He rose, and felt all round the -walls. There was no doubt about it. Presently he -came upon the door. He tried it. It opened. He -was evidently not a prisoner. He stepped into a -passage, and up to another door. This one was -locked, but the key was in it. He turned it, and -opening the door disclosed the square. The mystery -was now solved. He was in the precincts of the -tavern. He had been saved, perhaps from death, by -his good friend, the inn-keeper. -</p> - -<p> -The night was magnificently clear. A single -star hung low in the ear of the moon. He looked -all around the deserted place that during his swoon -must have been the scene of butcherly justice. The -remnants of the stakes were evidence that the -decrees of the law had really been executed. A few -fragments of charred bone were now all that -remained of the girl he had loved. He seemed to -scent the odour of burnt flesh in the air. Suddenly, -he became aware that he was not alone in his -contemplation of this field of blood. Some man was -ferreting about the bases of the stakes, and sifting -the human dust that paved the square. It needed -no second look to tell the galley-slave who this was, -so much keener than love is hate. It was the -man—or more than man—of whom Marquard had -conferred with the inn-keeper. It was the -Hungarian—Teremtette—the Evil Eye. -</p> - -<p> -For what then was he a-search among this life -that had ceased to live? Marquard thought that -he could answer this question. The ball of so much -mystery had been given to him by the witch, as -a charm that would protect from this very man. -The association of the Hungarian with her made -it probable that he was acquainted with her -possession of it, and with its powers. Such being -the case, it was a property that he must itch to lay -his fingers upon. Perhaps he had even attempted, -and failed, to obtain it from her while she was alive -At any rate it was this, presumably, which he was -agog for on the scene of her death. As a charm -it would be unconsumable by fire, and had Marquard -not been before him the Hungarian might have -attained his end. The one weak point in the theory -was that it supposed the wizard ignorant of -Marquard's return. Yet this was not impossible, -since surely even wizards have their limitations. -Having decided Upon this explanation of his rival's -presence, Marquard burned to confront him face -to face. He strode boldly out of his protecting -doorway. The Hungarian heard his step, looked -up, and sprang to his feet. The galley-slave noted -with a thrill that one of his eyes was closed. It -was the Evil Eye against which he was soon to test -his powers of endurance. For the wizard had -evidently recognised him at once. His whole face -was writhen with diabolical glee. Slowly he raised -the lid that covered the Evil Eye. There was a gush -of blinding light from under that veil. The square -was lit up as by noonday sun. The ray struck -remorselessly upon the sailor. He stood erect -unshaken. Astonishment was legible upon the -magician's features at this evident failure of his -trusted weapon. He raised the lid to its fullest -extent, and put all he was worth into the uncanny -stare. But the sailor stood erect, unscathed. The -charm was doing the work which its donor had foreseen, -and doing that work right well. The galley-slave -registered a vow never to part with it. Suddenly the -magician dropped his eyelid, and the market-place -once more was dark. He had apparently arrived at -some decision, for now—for the first time—he spoke. -</p> - -<p> -"Antlers of Belial!! Do I see before me my old -friend Marquard?" -</p> - -<p> -"Your enemy to the hilts you see." -</p> - -<p> -"You must pardon my defective sight which -obliged me to call in the aid of science before I -recognised you. Who would have thought of seeing -you here? But now I know you I shall not readily -part with you. You shall sleep under no other roof -than mine this night of your home-coming." -</p> - -<p> -"Dare you speak thus to <i>me</i>, knowing that this -day the woman we both loved has died a horrible -death at hangman's hands, and all for following the -course <i>you</i> set and staked for her?" -</p> - -<p> -"Nonsense, my friend. You have been deceived -by a chance resemblance, if indeed any could exist -between such wrinkles as were smoothed out to-day -and a face that made the stars ashamed. I regret to -say that I have lost sight of her for many a year—that -maiden we both knew and loved; I would give -all I have left to give to see her before me as she was. -Her waist was slender as the waist of death—I -cannot conceive her as blue flame and grey ash. -Again I say you have deceived yourself, my friend." -</p> - -<p> -"Friend me no friends! What I feel for you is -unscabbarded, naked hate." -</p> - -<p> -"Death and the judgment! If you do not love -me, you <i>fear</i> me, coward that you are!" -</p> - -<p> -"Were I the crowning coward—the bye-word and -mock of cowards—there would be one man beneath -my fear." -</p> - -<p> -"And do you mean that I am that man? I -challenge you then to accompany me to my castle. -It is worth the seeing." -</p> - -<p> -"You need not press me. I ask nothing better -than your company. You shall tire of me ere I tire -of you. Lead, and I will follow you to the fringes of -the Pit." -</p> - -<p> -"We'll needs ride sabbatical post." -</p> - -<p> -He plucked up two charred logs that lay near at -hand. He thrust one between the knees of the -galley-slave and the other between his own. He -uttered a magic word, sharp, pungent, and obeyed. -The logs became two stallions, black as grief -and fleet as joy. Before Marquard had grasped -the fact that he was mounted, they were out of -the town. -</p> - -<p> -The weather, as we have said, was of the clearest. -A train of obscene hags, bound for some witches' -frolic, was the only thing that rode the night. They -passed it and left it easily in their rear. Their pace, -in fact, was a pace to kill. They shook off a mile -with every sweat drop. It took them a second to -shoot through a forest. They cleared, not one river, -but twos and threes at a time; the wind, striving to -keep up with them, fell breathless. Huge mountains -tossed their grandsire heads and deemed themselves -impassable. These also the chargers crossed, and -left them shrugging their fat shoulders far behind. -But now a peak of peaks appeared—a Babel that -overlooked earth, and peered into heaven—would -they double that? They reached its summit, but at -the instant, with a word from the sorcerer, they were -logs again. -</p> - -<p> -Marquard reeled as his feet touched ground. He -steadied himself with an effort, and took a step -forward. The Hungarian seized him by the collar, -just in time to save him from a fall. They were -standing upon the edge of a precipice. The sailor -looked down and saw no bottom—a gulf that -staggered reason. He shuddered at his escape, and -reeled again. When he had somewhat recovered, he -rubbed his eyes, and took a careful survey of the -position. -</p> - -<p> -They had been deposited at the extreme altitude -of the mountain. But it was not a single peak, it -formed a ring like the crater of a volcano, but of a -diameter so stupendous that its further side was -barely visible to the naked eye. Of its depth we -have already given some idea, but the most singular -feature of the whole strange place—the feature which -made it impossible to regard it as a mere giant -volcano—was a slender spire of rock that shot up -from its unknown floor to about the same height as -the surrounding rim. It might be compared to a -Cleopatra's Needle set in a well, or else to the stamen -of some egregious petrified flower. Or from the -sailor's point of view (considering the spot where he -stood as mainland) it was an islet left bare by a -dried-up sea. Nor was it a desert island. It was -inhabited, or at any rate it was built upon. There -was a castle on it which it was just large enough -to hold. The outer walls merged straight down -as if one piece with the wall of rock upon which -they were founded. From the front entrance, a -bridge of marble, with rails of gold, spanned the -abyss that separated the castle from the mountain. -</p> - -<p> -While Marquard was making these observations, -the Hungarian took stock of him with his single eye. -When the sailor had apparently sucked in all his -environment, Teremtette asked him, what seemed -on the face of it, a neediest question. -</p> - -<p> -"What do you see?" -</p> - -<p> -"I see a castle, whiter than a bride, uplift upon -yon mast of stone." -</p> - -<p> -"What else do you see?" -</p> - -<p> -"I see a bridge across the airy moat that parts -us from that fantastic crow's nest." -</p> - -<p> -"That castle and that bridge are of my architecture. -If you consider as child's play all that you -<i>have</i> dared—if you are willing to <i>begin</i> to show high -courage—you can follow me within its gates." -</p> - -<p> -He walked towards the bridge, crossed it, and -disappeared within the castle walls. The galley -slave sat down, and gazed at the fairy fabric in -something very much like indecision. He felt among -his garments to see if he still possessed the -talisman, the witch's parting gift. It was there. He -drew it forth and looked at it. A little shrivelled -pellet, of some unknown dried substance, it was as -much of an enigma to him as ever. He laid it -upon the rock on which he sat, and turned again -towards the castle. To his horror and astonishment -it was losing its clearness of outline. It became—along -with the bridge—semi-transparent. He could -see through them both. They grew thinner, and -thinner. They faded into little more than mist. -Ultimately nothing of either was any more visible. -Only the bare pillar stood up in the midst of the -chasm. But no—there was a figure upon the now -tonsured rock—it was the figure of the Hungarian. -A moment's thought explained this. The castle -alone was unsubstantial. In disappearing it left -revealed the man that had been within it. He was too -far off for the sailor to be sure of what he was -engaged on. There ran through all Marquard's veins -a current of fear. He felt helpless in the presence of -all this glamour that he did not understand. He -looked round for his only friend—the amulet—thank -God! it was still there. He snatched it up, resolved -never more to let it away from him. And then -another wonderful thing occurred. The castle and -its bridge again gradually appeared in sight. The -sailor began to suspect the rules of the game. He -could not forbear to put the talisman down again for -a moment. The outlines of the magical buildings -grew immediately dim. He took up the ball. Their -solidity was immediately restored. He now knew -his bearings. There could be no longer any doubt. -Apart from their creator—the Hungarian—the castle -and bridge were only visible to the holder of that -wizened trifle. Marquard packed it away, with -heightened respect, and deliberately walked up to, -and across, the bridge. It rang substantial enough -under his feet, for him to almost doubt the truth of -what he had just seen. He was too near his enemy -to hazard any more experiments. He found him in -a goodly, square, and most singularly wall-papered -room, inasmuch as each of its walls—where not -pierced for a door—was one vast mirror. In the -centre stood a table loaded with every delicacy in and -out of season. At each side of the table was placed a -luxurious chair. The Hungarian pointed to one of -these and spoke. -</p> - -<p> -"I bid you to this last supper, in the name of those -that hold this house, if you dare sit down and feast." -</p> - -<p> -"I dare do anything in <i>your</i> company." -</p> - -<p> -"Then eat, drink, and be merry, for to-morrow -one of us two dies. That, I believe, was the intention, -with which you accompanied me hither?" -</p> - -<p> -"You are right therein, as always." -</p> - -<p> -"Then for an hour we will proclaim a truce to all -our differences. We will pledge the survivor in -flowing bowls from vintages of a thousand years. -Wine you shall have creating thirst and woman -creating desire. That is if you can call her woman -that tempted Adam out of Paradise." -</p> - -<p> -"To whom do you refer?" -</p> - -<p> -"To Lilith, Eve's rival, queen of all damnations!" -</p> - -<p> -"Was it for <i>her</i>, then, that you sold your soul and -swopped an eye with Satan?" -</p> - -<p> -"Ha-ha, you have heard that story. It is true -that I left my eye in pawn, but it is false that I -received one in exchange. This is not an eye at -all—this Evil Eye as they call it—whose beam is -supposed to blight wherever it falls. In your own -person you have tested its perfect harmlessness." -</p> - -<p> -He paused, as if to see whether the sailor had -swallowed this more than doubtful statement. The -latter made no sign. The wizard then proceeded to -lift his sinister eyelid, until the fiery stab of the Evil -Eye was a second time unveiled. As before it had -no effect whatever on Marquard. The magician then -lifted his finger to it, and with a twist turned the -apparent eye-ball out of its socket. It slipped over -the finger that had released it, and in so doing shewed -what it really was. It was a <i>ring</i>, set with an -enormous blazing stone! -</p> - -<p> -Yes, this was the fabled Evil Eye, this innocent -circlet of gold with its flashing stone. The magician -obligingly extended the hand that now wore it, to the -end that Marquard might examine it more minutely. -As he got accustomed to its baleful glare, he perceived -that this was not generated by the gem itself. -The gem was hollow, and served merely as a -receptacle for something <i>alive</i> that crouched within. -From the eyes of this living weevil—or devil—or -whatever it was—streamed the poison of ill-effect -which the public had thought to proceed from an -Evil Eye. Nor were they wrong after all, only that -there were two evil eyes, and their owner to -boot—instead of one. But even this was only the -beginning of the Hungarian's surprises. Having allowed -the sailor to gaze long enough upon the ring, he -rested the hand that wore it upon a chair. Then -with the other hand he just touched the gem at his -side. It flew open and the creature that lived in it -came forth. She increased in size—the sailor saw -that it was a woman—a woman, whose beauty would -have blinded the severest eye. She would have -seduced an anchorite to dimpled sin. -</p> - -<p> -"You see," laughed the Hungarian, "that, if I -got no eye from the devil, he gave me a rib out of -his side." -</p> - -<p> -When she had reached the height of her companion -Lilith stopped growing, and sat down upon -her chair. The magician seated himself at one hand -of her, the sailor at the other, and looked -inquiringly towards the vacant place that fronted -her. The Hungarian intercepted his glance, and -grinned. -</p> - -<p> -"Look at the mirror, man," he cried, "there are -more guests here—and more august—than you -imagine." -</p> - -<p> -The galley-slave looked at the mirror behind the -vacant side of the table, and started from his seat in -sudden terror. The mirror reflected the back of -someone as if occupying that chair, which nevertheless -still stood in front of it, empty. The sailor looked -from chair to mirror—from mirror to chair again—but -there was no mistaking that weird fact. His -hair stood up. He sank into his seat. He snatched -to his white lips the first goblet that came to hand. -The magician at once took up his own glass and -cried out, mockingly, -</p> - -<p> -"I second your toast! To the health of our -guest—the Orb and Sceptre of all the hells!" -</p> - -<p> -From that the orgie waxed fast and furious. -They swam in music. The room was grey with -incense. Their lights were balls of coloured fire -that flashed in the air, and ever and anon dropping -into their cups hissed like snapdragons. Songs were -sung that fallen angels had brought from paradise. -Tales were told of doings done before the world was -planned. But who sung, and who narrated was -beyond the sailor's ken, a-swim as he was with wine -and witchery. He grew more and more bemused. -The table whirled round and round. The viands -slipped away from his hands, when he turned to -look at his fair neighbour he could only find the -one eye of the Hungarian. The mirrors gave back -distortions. All was confusion and delusion, and -mocking laughter in his ears. After a brave attempt -to keep his head, he rolled upon the floor. The -vintages of a thousand years had done their work. -</p> - -<p> -When he awoke, with a splitting headache, the -room was clear. The Hungarian paced up and dawn -at one end. A glance at him sufficed to show that -the matchless ring had been restored to its socket. -</p> - -<p> -"Ha-ha," laughed the sorcerer, "are you looking -for the girl you were so sweet on last night? Behold -her!" He lifted his eyelid, and there flashed forth -coquettish lights from the prisoner of the gem. -</p> - -<p> -The sailor sprang to his feet. -</p> - -<p> -"Arch and unheard-of juggler," he cried, "your -play is played, and your curtain is nigh to ringing -down. You have done the devil's work—beshrew the -like!—and you shall get the devil's wages. You shall -rue the day you brought me here." -</p> - -<p> -"The nightmare be your bride! Were you not -girt with an adverse fate you had dawned in a fiercer -place than this! And now, if you are bent upon a -duel—and the laws of hospitality do not protect -me—I will even let you take the lead." -</p> - -<p> -"Then look to yourself, witch-master!" cried the -sailor, drawing a rusty pistol from his long sea-boot. -He took aim, and fired; the bullet struck the -Hungarian, and <i>rebounded</i>. A peal of laughter shook -the hall. -</p> - -<p> -"The devil kiss your lips!" cried the sorcerer; -"you have no reach for me! But try again if you -like before I set my foot on the neck of your revenge." -</p> - -<p> -The sailor considered. It was no use wasting -another leaden bullet on a man who was evidently -impregnable to such. He remembered that a silver -button cut from one's coat was considered sovereign -against a wizard when all else failed. But, -unfortunately, Marquard wore no silver buttons, and very -few buttons of any kind. An idea struck him, there -was the magic ball that the witch had given him. It -was true that, if it flew wide of its mark, he would -have staked, and lost, his all; since he would no -longer boast any influence to protect him. On the -other hand, he felt a presentiment that it would not -fail him. In any case the sorcerer, who was aware -by this time of his possession of the talisman, seemed, -from his good humour, to have forged some device by -which he could counteract it. Marquard threw his -scruples to the wind, and rammed the amulet into the -pistol. -</p> - -<p> -"I will bring your royal insolence a-dust," he cried, -"in hackneyed, unoriginal death for all that you are -the devil's fetch and carry!" -</p> - -<p> -He fired. Thunder shook the furthest stars. -The room was full of fÅ“tid smoke. As it partially -cleared away, the galley-slave saw his enemy lying -supine upon the ground. He crept up to him, still -misdoubting, and touched him gingerly. He was -dead. But when Marquard came to look upon his -face, he started back surprised, all trace of the ring -had entirely disappeared. Both the sorcerer's eyes -were open, and both were now a match. But whence -had come back this long-lost eye? It was the ball -which the witch had handed over to Marquard—the -ball which Marquard had loaded into his pistol—the -ball which had steered unerring to its ancient -seat, and ousted the usurper which it found there. -Marquard reverently lifted the fallen pride of -wizardry and carried him gently to the outer gate. -This man upon whom he had served the warrant of -that bowelless catch-poll—Death, this clay, after -all was said and done, had once been boyhood like -himself. Lovers of one girl the tunes of their two -lives were built upon the same bottom note. It was -with tenderness that Marquard tossed the body into -the abyss. He did not know how soon he was to -follow it. It had scarcely disappeared when he -became aware from the thinning of the castle that -he had unwittingly got rid of the power which -enabled him to cross the bridge. The golden railing -had already vanished. He started to run, but the -marble under his feet was softening, and he sank in -it to the ankles at every step. A little further and -his legs went through to the knee. With incredible -exertions he reached the centre, but could go no -further. He floundered in the fast ebbing material, -hopelessly, to the waist. Then he sank to his -armpits—spread out his arms so as to hold yet a second -to life—but finally the last remnants of the bridge -evaporated, and he fell plumb into the gulf, turning -over and over in his fall. -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p><a id="chap05"></a></p> - -<h3> -THE WITCHES' SABBATH. -</h3> - -<p> -Our scene is one of those terrific peaks -set apart by tradition as the trysting -place of wizards and witches, and of -every kind of folk that prefers dark to -day. -</p> - -<p> -It might have been Mount Elias, or the Brocken, -associated with Doctor Faustus. It might have -been the Horsel or Venusberg of Tannhaeuser, or -the Black Forest. Enough that it was one of -these. -</p> - -<p> -Not a star wrinkled the brow of night. Only in -the distance the twinkling lights of some town -could be seen. Low down in the skirts of the -mountain rode a knight, followed closely by his -page. We say a knight, because he had once owned -that distinction. But a wild and bloody youth had -tarnished his ancient shield; the while it kept bright -and busy his ancestral sword. Behold him now, -little better than a highwayman. Latterly he had -wandered from border to border, without finding -where to rest his faithful steed. All authority was -in arms against him; Hageck, the wild knight, was -posted throughout Germany. More money was set -upon his head than had ever been put into his -pocket. Pikemen and pistoliers had dispersed his -following. None remained to him whom he could -call his own, save this stripling who still rode -sturdily at the tail of his horse. Him also, the -outlaw had besought, even with tears, to abandon one -so ostensibly cursed by stars and men. But in vain. -The boy protested that he would have no home, save -in his master's shadow. -</p> - -<p> -They were an ill-assorted pair. The leader was -all war-worn and weather-worn. Sin had marked -him for its own and for the wages of sin. The -page was young and slight, and marble pale. He -would have looked more at home at the silken train -of some great lady, than following at these heels -from which the gilded spurs had long been hacked. -Nevertheless, the music of the spheres themselves -sings not more sweetly in accord than did these two -hearts. -</p> - -<p> -The wild knight, Hageck, had ascended the -mountain as far as was possible to four-legged -roadsters. Therefore he reined in his horse and -dismounted, and addressed his companion. His -voice was now quite gentle, which on occasion could -quench mutiny, and in due season dry up the taste -of blood in the mouths of desperate men. -</p> - -<p> -"Time is that we must part, Enno." -</p> - -<p> -"Master, you told me we need never part." -</p> - -<p> -"Let be, child, do you not understand me? I hope -with your own heart's hope that we shall meet again -to-morrow in this same tarrying place. But I have -not brought you to so cursed a place without some -object. When I say that we must part, I mean that -you must take charge of our horses while I go -further up the mountain upon business, which for -your own sake you must never share." -</p> - -<p> -"And is this your reading of the oath of our -brotherhood which we swore together?" -</p> - -<p> -"The oath of our brotherhood, I fear, was writ -in water. You are, in fact, the only one of all my -company that has kept faith with me. For that -very reason I would not spare your neck from the -halter, nor your limbs from the wheel. But also -for that very reason I will not set your immortal soul -in jeopardy." -</p> - -<p> -"My immortal soul! Is this business then -unhallowed that you go upon? Now I remember -me that this mountain at certain seasons is said to -be haunted by evil spirits. Master, you also are -bound by our path to tell me all." -</p> - -<p> -"You shall know all, Enno, were oaths even -cheaper than they are. You have deserved by your -devotion to be the confessor of your friend." -</p> - -<p> -"Friend is no name for companionship such as -ours. I am sure you would die for me. I believe I -could die for you, Hageck." -</p> - -<p> -"Enough, you have been more than brother to -me. I had a brother once, after the fashion of this -world, and it is his envious hand which has placed -me where I stand. That was before I knew you, -Enno, and it is some sweets in my cup at any rate, -that had he not betrayed me I should never have -known you. Nevertheless, you will admit that since -he robbed me of the girl I loved, even your loyal -heart is a poor set off for what fate and fraternity -took from me. In fine, we both loved the same girl, -but she loved me, and would have none of my -brother. She was beautiful, Enno—how beautiful -you can never guess that have not yet loved." -</p> - -<p> -"I have never conceived any other love than that -I bear you." -</p> - -<p> -"Tush, boy, you know not what you say. But to -return to my story. One day that I was walking -with her my brother would have stabbed me. She -threw herself between and was killed upon my -breast." -</p> - -<p> -He tore open his clothes at the throat and showed -a great faded stain upon his skin. -</p> - -<p> -"The hangman's brand shall fade," he cried, "ere -that wash out. Accursed be the mother that bore me -seeing that she also first bore him! The devil squat -down with him in his resting, lie with him in his -sleeping, as the devil has sat and slept with me every -noon and night since that deed was done. Never give -way to love of woman, Enno, lest you lose the one -you love, and with her lose the balance of your life." -</p> - -<p> -"Alas! Hageck, I fear I never shall." -</p> - -<p> -"Since that miscalled day, blacker than any night, -you know as well as any one the sort of death in life -I led. I had the good or evil luck to fall in with -some broken men like myself, fortune's foes and foes -of all whom fortune cherishes, you among them. Red -blood, red gold for a while ran through our fingers. -Then a turn of the wheel, and, presto, my men are -squandered to every wind that blows—I am a fugitive -with a price upon my head!" -</p> - -<p> -"And with one comrade whom, believe me, wealth -is too poor to buy." -</p> - -<p> -"A heart above rubies. Even so. To such alone -would I confide my present purpose. You must -know that my brother was a student of magic of no -mean repute, and before we quarrelled had given me -some insight into its mysteries. Now that I near the -end of my tether I have summed up all the little I -knew, and am resolved to make a desperate cast in -this mountain of despair. In a word, I intend -to hold converse with my dead sweetheart before -I die. The devil shall help me to it for the love -he bears me." -</p> - -<p> -"You would invoke the enemy of all mankind?" -</p> - -<p> -"Him and none other. Aye, shudder not, nor -seek to turn me from it. I have gone over it again -and again. The gates of Hell are set no firmer than -this resolve." -</p> - -<p> -"God keep Hell far from you when you call it!" -</p> - -<p> -"I had feared my science was of too elementary -an order to conduct an exorcism under any but the -most favourable circumstances. Hence our journey -hither. This place is one of those where parliaments -of evil are held, where dead and living meet on equal -ground. To-night is the appointed night of one of -these great Sabbaths. I propose to leave you here -with the horses. I shall climb to the topmost peak, -draw a circle that I may stand in for my defence, and -with all the vehemence of love deferred, pray for my -desire." -</p> - -<p> -"May all good angels speed you!" -</p> - -<p> -"Nay, I have broken with such. Your good wish, -Enno, is enough." -</p> - -<p> -"But did we not hear talk in the town about a -hermit that spent his life upon the mountain top, -atoning for some sin in day-long prayer and mortification? -Can this evil fellowship of which you speak -still hold its meetings upon a spot which has been -attached in the name of Heaven by one good man?" -</p> - -<p> -"Of this hermit I knew nothing until we reached -the town. It was then too late to seek another -workshop. Should what you say be correct, and this -holy man have purged this plague spot, I can do no -worse than pass the night with him, and return to -you. But should the practices of witch and wizard -continue as of yore, then the powers of evil shall draw -my love to me, be she where she may. Aye, be it in -that most secret nook of heaven where God retires -when He would weep, and where even archangels are -never suffered to tread." -</p> - -<p> -"O all good go with you!" -</p> - -<p> -"Farewell, Enno, and if I never return count my -soul not so lost but what you may say a prayer for it -now and again, when you have leisure." -</p> - -<p> -"I will not outlive you!" -</p> - -<p> -The passionate words were lost on Hageck, who -had already climbed so far as to be out of hearing. -He only knew vaguely that something was shouted -to him, and waved his hand above his head for a -reply. On and on he climbed. Time passed. The -way grew harder. At last exhausted, but fed with -inward exaltation, he reached the summit. It was -of considerable extent and extremely uneven. The -first thing our hero noticed was the cave of the -hermit. It could be nothing else, although it was -closed with an iron door. A new departure, thought -Hageck to himself, as he hammered upon it with the -pommel of his sword, for a hermit's cell to be locked -in like a fortress. -</p> - -<p> -"Open, friend," he cried, "in heaven's name, or in -that of the other place if you like it better." -</p> - -<p> -The noise came from within of a bar being -removed. The door opened. It revealed a mere -hole in the rock, though large enough, it is true, to -hold a considerable number of persons. Furniture -was conspicuous by its absence. There was no sign -even of a bed, unless a coffin that grinned in one -corner served the occupant's needs. A skull, a -scourge, a crucifix, a knife for his food, what more -does such a hermit want? His feet were bare, his -head was tonsured, but his eyebrows were long -and matted, and fell like a screen over burning -maniacal eyes. A fanatic, every inch of him. He -scrutinised the invader from top to toe. Apparently -the result was unsatisfactory. He frowned. -</p> - -<p> -"A traveller," said he, "and at this unholy hour. -Back, back, do you not know the sinister reputation -of this time and place?" -</p> - -<p> -"I know your reputation to be of the highest, -reverend father; I could not credit what rumour -circulates about this mountain top when I understood -that one of such sanctity had taken up a perpetual -abode here." -</p> - -<p> -"My abode is fixed here for the very reason that -it is a realm of untold horror. My task is to win -back, if I can, to the dominion of the church this -corner, which has been so long unloved that it cries -aloud to God and man. This position of my own -choice is no sinecure. Hither at stated times the full -brunt of the Sabbath sweeps to its rendezvouz. -Here I defy the Sabbath. You see that mighty -door?" -</p> - -<p> -"I had wondered, but feared to ask, what -purpose such a barrier could serve in such a -miserable place." -</p> - -<p> -"You may be glad to crouch behind it if you stay -here much longer. At midnight, Legion, with all the -swirl of all the hells at his back, will sweep this -summit like a tornado. Were you of the stuff that -never trembles, yet you shall hear such sounds as -shall melt your backbone. Avoid hence while there -is yet time." -</p> - -<p> -"But you, if you remain here, why not I?" -</p> - -<p> -"I remain here as a penance for a crime I did, a -crime which almost takes prisoner my reason, so -different was it from the crime I set out to do, so -deadly death to all my hopes. I am on my knees -throughout the whole duration of this pandemonium -that I tell you of, and count thick and fast my -beads during the whole time. Did I cease for -one second to pray, that second would be my -last. The roof of my cavern would descend and -efface body and soul. But you, what would you -do here?" -</p> - -<p> -"I seek my own ends, for which I am fully prepared. -To confer with a shade from the other world -I place my own soul in jeopardy. For the short time -that must elapse, before the hour arrives when I can -work, I ask but a trifle of your light and fire." -</p> - -<p> -"The will-o'-the-wisp be your light, Saint -Anthony's your fire! Do you not recognise me?" -</p> - -<p> -The wild knight bent forward and gazed into the -hermit's inmost eye, then started back, and would -have fallen had his head not struck the iron door. -This recalled him to his senses, and after a moment -he stood firm again, and murmured between his teeth, -"My brother!" -</p> - -<p> -"Your brother," repeated the holy man, "your -brother, whose sweetheart you stole and drove me to -madness and crime." -</p> - -<p> -"I drove you to no madness, I drove you to no -crime. The madness, the crime you expiate here, -were all of your own making. She loved me, and me -alone—you shed her blood, by accident I confess, -yet you shed it, and not all the prayers of your -lifetime can gather up one drop of it. What soaked -into my own brain remains there for ever, though I -have sought to wash it out with an ocean of other -men's blood." -</p> - -<p> -"And I," replied the hermit, and he tore his -coarse frock off his shoulders, "I have sought to -drown it with an ocean of my own." -</p> - -<p> -He spoke truth. Blood still oozed from his -naked flesh, ploughed into furrows by the scourge. -</p> - -<p> -"You, that have committed so many murders," -he continued, "and who have reproached me so -bitterly for one, all the curses of your dying victims, -all the curses I showered upon you before I became -reformed have not availed to send you yet to the -gibbet or to the wheel. You are one that, like the -basil plant, grows ever the rifer for cursing. I -remember I tried to lame you, after you left home, -by driving a rusty nail into one of your footsteps, -but the charm refused to work. You were never -the worse for it that I could hear. They say the -devil's children have the devil's luck. Yet some -day shall death trip up your heels." -</p> - -<p> -"Peace, peace," cried the wild horseman, "let -ill-will be dead between us, and the bitterness of -death be passed, as befits your sacred calling. Even -if I see her for one moment to-night, by the aid of -the science you once taught me, will you not see -her for eternity in heaven some near day?" -</p> - -<p> -"In heaven," cried the hermit, "do I want to see -her in heaven? On earth would I gladly see her -again and account that moment cheap if weighed -against my newly discovered soul! But that can -never be. Not the art you speak of, not all the dark -powers which move men to sin, can restore her to -either of us as she was that day. And she loved -you. She died to save you. You have nothing to -complain of. But to me she was like some chaste -impossible star." -</p> - -<p> -"I loved her most," muttered the outlaw. -</p> - -<p> -"You loved her most," screamed the hermit. -"Hell sit upon your eyes! Put it to the test. Look -around. Do you see anything of her here?" -</p> - -<p> -The other Hageck gazed eagerly round the cave, -but without fixing upon anything. -</p> - -<p> -"I see nothing," he was forced to confess. -</p> - -<p> -The hermit seized the skull and held it in front -of his eyes. -</p> - -<p> -"This is her dear head," he cried, "fairer far than -living red and white to me!" -</p> - -<p> -The wild knight recoiled with a gasp of horror, -snatched the ghastly relic from the hand of his -brother, and hurled it over the precipice. He put -his fingers over his eyes and fell to shaking like an -aspen. For a moment the hermit scarcely seemed -to grasp his loss. Then with a howl of rage he -seized his brother by the throat. -</p> - -<p> -"You have murdered her," he shrieked in tones -scarcely recognisable, "she will be dashed to a -hundred pieces by such a fall!" -</p> - -<p> -He threw the outlaw to the ground and, retreating -to his cave, slammed the door behind him, but -his heart-broken sobs could still be heard distinctly. -It was very evident that he was no longer in his right -mind. The wild knight rose somewhat painfully -and limped to a little distance where he perceived -a favourable spot for erecting his circle. The -sobbing of the crazed hermit presently ceased. He -was aware that his rival had entered upon his -operations! The hermit re-opened his door that he -might more clearly catch the sound of what his foe -was engaged upon. Every step was of an absorbing -interest to the solitary as to the man who made it. -Anon the hermit started to his feet. He fancied he -heard another voice replying to his brother. Yes, -it was a voice he seemed to know. He rushed out -of the cave. A girlish figure clad in a stained dress -was clasped in his brother's arms. Kiss after kiss -the wild knight was showering upon brow, and eye, -and cheek, and lip. The girl responded as the -hermit had surely seen her do once before. He flew -to his cave. He grasped the knife he used for his -food. He darted like an arrow upon the startled -pair. The woman tried to throw herself in front of -her lover, but the hermit with a coarse laugh, "Not -twice the dagger seeks the same breast," plunged it -into the heart of her companion. The wild knight -threw up his arms and without a cry fell to the -ground. The girl uttered a shriek that seemed to -rive the skies and flung herself across her dead. The -hermit gazed at it stupidly and rubbed his eyes. He -seemed like one dazed, but slowly recovering his -senses. Suddenly he started, came as it were to -himself, and pulled the girl by the shoulder. -</p> - -<p> -"We have not a minute to lose," he cried, "the -great Sabbath is all but due. If his body remains -out here one second after the stroke of twelve, his -soul will be lost to all eternity. It will be snatched -by the fiends who even now are bound to it. Do -you not see yon shadowy hosts—but I forget, you -are not a witch." -</p> - -<p> -"I see nothing," she replied, sullenly, rising up -and peering round. The night was clear, but starless. -</p> - -<p> -"I have been a wizard," he answered, "and once -a wizard always a wizard, though I now fight upon -the other side. Take my hand and you will see." -</p> - -<p> -She took his hand, and screamed as she did so. -For at the instant there became visible to her these -clouds of loathsome beings that were speeding -thither from every point of the compass. Warlock, -and witch, and wizard rode post on every conceivable -graceless mount. Their motion was like the lightning -of heaven, and their varied cries—owlet hoot, -caterwaul, dragon-shout—the horn of the Wild -Hunter, and the hurly of risen dead—vied with the -bay of Cerberus to the seldseen moon. A forest of -whips was flourished aloft. The whirr of wings raised -dozing echoes. The accustomed mountain shook -and shivered like a jelly, with the fear of their -onset. -</p> - -<p> -The girl dropped his hand and immediately lost -the power of seeing them. She had learned at any -rate that what he said was true. -</p> - -<p> -"Help me to carry the body to the cave," cried -he, and in a moment it was done. The corpse was -placed in the coffin of his murderer. Then the -hermit crashed his door to its place. Up went bolts -and bars. Some loose rocks that were probably the -hermit's chairs and tables were rolled up to afford -additional security. -</p> - -<p> -"And now," demanded the man, "now that we -have a moment of breathing space, tell me what -woman-kind are you whom I find here with my -brother? That you are not her I know (woe is me -that I have good reason to know) yet you are as -like her as any flower that blows. I loved her, and -I murdered her, and I have the right to ask, who and -what are you that come to disturb my peace?" -</p> - -<p> -"I am her sister." -</p> - -<p> -"Her sister! Yes, I remember you. You were -a child in those days. Neither I nor my brother -(God rest his soul!), neither of us noticed you." -</p> - -<p> -"No, he never took much notice of me. Yet I -loved him as well as she did." -</p> - -<p> -"You, too, loved him," whispered the hermit, as -if to himself; "what did he do to be loved by two -such women?" -</p> - -<p> -"Yes, I loved him, though he never knew it, but -I may confess it now, for you are a priest of a sort, -are you not, you that shrive with steel?" -</p> - -<p> -"You are bitter, like your sister. She was always -so with me." -</p> - -<p> -"I owe you my story," she replied more gently; -"when she died and he fell into evil courses and -went adrift with bad companions, I found I could -not live without him, nor with anyone else, and I -determined to become one of them. I dressed in -boy's clothes and sought enlistment into his -company of free lances. He would have driven me from -him, saying it was no work for such as I, yet at last -I wheedled it from him. I think there was something -in my face (all undeveloped as it was and -stained with walnut juice) that reminded him of her -he had lost. I followed him faithfully through good -and evil, cringing for a look or word from him. We -were at last broken up (as you know) and I alone -of all his sworn riders remained to staunch his -wounds. He brought me hither that he might wager -all the soul that was left to him on the chance of -evoking her spirit. I had with me the dress my -sister died in, that I had cherished through all my -wanderings, as my sole reminder of her life and -death. I put it on after he had left me, and followed -him as fast as my strength would allow me. My -object was to beguile him with what sorry pleasure -I could, while at the same time saving him from -committing the sin of disturbing the dead. God forgive -me if there was mixed with it the wholly selfish -yearning to be kissed by him once, only once, in my -true character as loving woman, rid of my hated -disguise! I have had my desire, and it has turned -to apples of Sodom on my lips. You are right. All -we can do now is to preserve his soul alive." -</p> - -<p> -She fell on her knees beside the coffin. The -hermit pressed his crucifix into her hands. -</p> - -<p> -"Pray!" he cried, and at the same moment the -distant clock struck twelve. There came a rush of -feet, a thunder at the iron door, the cave rocked like -a ship's cabin abruptly launched into the trough of -a storm. An infernal whooping and hallooing filled -the air outside, mixed with it imprecations that made -the strong man blanch. The banner of Destruction -was unfurled. All the horned heads were upon -them. Thrones and Dominions, Virtues, Princes, -Powers. All hell was loose that night, and the -outskirts of Hell. -</p> - -<p> -The siege had begun. The hermit told -his beads with feverish rapidity. One Latin -prayer after another rolled off his tongue -in drops of sweat. The girl, to whom these -were unintelligible, tried in vain to think of -prayers. All she could say, as she pressed the -Christ to her lips, was "Lord of my life! My -Love." She scarcely heard the hurly-burly that -raged outside. Crash after crash resounded -against the door, but good steel tempered with -holy water is bad to beat. Showers of small -pieces of rock fell from the ceiling and the cave -was soon filled with dust. Peals of hellish -cachinnation resounded after each unsuccessful attempt -to break down that defence. Living battering rams -pressed it hard, dragon's spur, serpent's coil, cloven -hoof, foot of clay. Tall Iniquities set their backs -to it, names of terror, girt with earthquake. All -the swart crew dashed their huge bulk against it, -rakehelly riders, humans and superhumans, sin -and its paymasters. The winds well nigh split -their sides with hounding of them on. Evil stars -in their courses fought against it. The seas threw -up their dead. Haunted houses were no more -haunted that night. Graveyards steamed. Gibbets -were empty. The ghoul left his half-gnawn corpse, -the vampire his victim's throat. Buried treasures -rose to earth's surface that their ghostly guardians -might swell the fray. Yet the hermit prayed on, -and the woman wept, and the door kept its face to -the foe. Will the hour of release never strike? -Crested Satans now lead the van. Even steel -cannot hold out for ever against those in whose -veins instead of blood, runs fire. At last it bends -ever so little, and the devilish hubbub is increased -tenfold. -</p> - -<p> -"Should they break open the door—" yelled the -hermit, making a trumpet of his hands, yet she could -not hear what he shouted above the abominable din, -nor had he time to complete his instructions. For -the door did give, and that suddenly, with a clang -that was heard from far off in the town, and made -many a burgher think the last trump had come. -The rocks that had been rolled against the door flew -off in every direction, and a surging host—and the -horror of it was that they were invisible to the -girl—swept in. -</p> - -<p> -The hermit tore his rosary asunder, and scattered -the loose beads in the faces of the fiends. -</p> - -<p> -"Hold fast the corpse!" he yelled, as he was -trampled under foot, and this time he made himself -heard. The girl seized the long hair of her lover -pressed it convulsively, and swooned. -</p> - -<p> -Years afterwards (as it seemed to her) she -awakened and found the chamber still as death, -and—yes—this was the hair of death which she still -clutched in her dead hand. She kissed it a hundred -times before it brought back to her where she was -and what had passed. She looked round then for the -hermit. He, poor man, was lying as if also dead. -But when she could bring herself to release her -hoarded treasure, she speedily brought him to some -sort of consciousness. He sat up, not without -difficulty, and looked around. But his mind, already -halfway to madness, had been totally overturned by -what had occurred that woeful night. -</p> - -<p> -"We have saved his soul between us," she cried. -"What do I not owe you for standing by me in -that fell hour?" -</p> - -<p> -He regarded her in evident perplexity. "I -cannot think how you come to be wearing that -blood-stained dress of hers," was all he replied. -</p> - -<p> -"I have told you," she said, gently, "but you -have forgotten that I cherished it through all my -wanderings as my sole memento of her glorious -death. She laid down the last drop of her blood -for him. She chose the better part. But I! my -God! what in the world is to become of me?" -</p> - -<p> -"I had a memento of her once," he muttered. -"I had her beautiful head, but I have lost it." -</p> - -<p> -"That settles it," she said, "you shall cut off -mine." -</p> - -<p><br><br><br></p> - -<p><a id="chap06"></a></p> - -<h3> -"THE DEVIL'S DEBT." -</h3> - -<p> -Somewhere about the Middle Ages—somewhere -in a mediaeval town—-there -lived a man who walked always on the -shady side of the way. None of his -neighbours could have assigned a reason -why he should only tread where the lapse of time -leaves no trace on the dial, yet so it was. None -had ever seen him in sunshine. -</p> - -<p> -This man was known by the name of Porphyro, -though we may reasonably doubt if it was given -to him in baptism. For he belonged to a class that -baptised toads by night at their Sabbaths in -mockery of the baptism of babes by day. In a -word, Porphyro was a wizard, and for one -circumstance (which will presently be mentioned) was -perhaps better known among his like than any -practiser of the Black Art before or since. -</p> - -<p> -There was, and likely enough still is, in Europe -a University of the occult sciences, buried -underground, carved out of the roots of mountains, far -from the hum of men. Here taught weird -professors—eerie, eldritch, elflocked. Here came weird -students to tread the intoxicating wine-press of -magical study. Your true wizard is set apart from -birth by some particularity which bespeaks his -vocation. To the University came representatives of -every class which felt this call. Here was the -demoniac and the stigmatic, the abortion and the -albino, the hermaphrodite and the changeling, the -hag-ridden and the pixy-led, sleep-walker, Cesarean, -Sunday-child, seventh son, and he that is born with -the caul. This motley crew was of as many hues -as there are ends of the earth. Many tongued as -Mithridates, all wrote their notes by common -consent in the lingua angelorum. -</p> - -<p> -The University boasted a laboratory of at least -a hundred paces in length and proportionately broad -and high. A mock sun gave it cold light by day, -and a mock moon by night. Here experiments in -exorcism were conducted, of course under the strictest -supervision of the principals. Here the students -learned that the ghosts of dead men (having, always -some of the old Adam that was unpurged from -them), are easier to call back to us than elemental -spirits can be wrenched from their eternal spheres. -The most trivial task (and therefore that of the -junior classes), was to re-incarnate some suicide, set -in four cross roads, whose soul still hovered like a -noxious gas about the only body where it could -hope to find toleration. The pupils were very -properly forbidden to incur the danger of repeating -these experiments in private. Nevertheless -something of the kind went on under the rose. As a -rule the novices (and these were after all the lucky -ones), ignominiously failed in their attempts to -storm the outworks of hell. They knew how to call -spirits from the vasty deep, but the spirits refused to -come when they did call them. One youth, however, -boasted that he had raised the devil, or at any -rate, a devil He described him to his bosom -friends nearly as follows:— -</p> - -<p> -"A great and full stature, soft and phlegmatic, of -colour like a black obscure cloud, having a swollen -countenance, with eyes red and full of water, a bald -head, and teeth like a wild boar." -</p> - -<p> -One of the listeners, doubtless jealous, attempted -to cheapen this success of his companion, by -remarking that an exorcist, if worth his salt, should -be able to make the spirit appear in what guise he -chose. -</p> - -<p> -"Then, by the belt of Venus," swore a third, -"I would command it to appear as a lovely girl, -with longer hair and smaller feet than any on this top -which the Almighty set spinning and dubbed earth." -</p> - -<p> -Another poor fellow appears to have been so -inflamed with the suggestion of this rustler, that he -tried to bring it into the sphere of practical politics. -He was never seen alive again. Not answering to his -name at the roll-call next morning, his bedroom was -visited, and a thin trickle of blood found oozing under -the door. One of the search party put a pistol -to the lock and fired. The door flew open. A -cry burst from all present, and some of the youngest, -covering their faces with their hands, fled. The -body of the devoted wretch who had played with -unholy fire, was scattered parcel meal about the room. -The lopped limbs were twisted round into spirals -as if boneless. One of stronger stomach than the -rest of the onlookers, and who examined them more -closely, declared that the bone had melted and run -out under some incredible heat. One of the teachers -opined that if the demon had only breathed upon the -bone, it would have been enough to fuse it. There -were no more experiments in students' rooms. -</p> - -<p> -Apart from such accidental deaths, the Academy -paid a regular yearly rent of one living soul to -hell, and woe unto teachers and taught had they -lapsed into arrear one day. The victim who was to -suffer, that the rest might live and learn, was selected -in the following traditional manner. The whole of -the pupils toed a line at one extreme end of the hall, -and, at a given signal, raced to the opposite door. -There was, as may be imagined, a terrible struggle -to pass through the hangings. The last to cross -the threshold was hugged to hell by the awaiting -fiend. It was on such an occasion that Porphyro -earned the unique distinction, alluded to above, of -having successfully cozened the Prince of Darkness -himself. Strain as he might, he was the last to -touch the winning post. His competitors, who -now breathed themselves in safety in the lobby, -had given him up for lost. But no piercing shriek -of dissolution stabbed the air, no fiendish laughter -made horrible the echoes. Instead, voices were -heard, until presently their comrade rejoined those -who had already mourned him. Amid a scene of -the wildest excitement, he was dragged into the -light. Something unprecedented must obviously -have occurred. His hair had turned snowy white. -Those fell back who looked first into his eyes, for -they saw in them reflected the face of Hell himself. -The tale which Porphyro told them was in substance -this, that when he arrived last at the curtains, and -already felt the breath of punishment upon his -cheek, there occurred to him one loophole of escape. -He turned desperately at bay, like hunted quarry, -and roundly told the scrutineer that all he could -claim by the letter of his bond was Porphyro's -shadow. That was the last living thing which -passed out of the lists; and not Porphyro, who -preceded it. Strange as it may seem, after a few -heated words, the justice of this quibble was -acknowledged by the father of all such juggleries. He -bore off the shadow with a sort of smile, that was -more terrible than men's frown, and lo and behold! when -the schoolfellows, with one accord, looked -down at the feet of him who had so miraculously -escaped the infernal maw, they saw that Porphyro -was, as he ever afterwards remained, shadowless. -And now our readers can guess why our hero walked -always on the shady side of the way. -</p> - -<p> -Nothing had ever been known (even in circles like -this) so successfully daring as this piece of evasion. -Round and round the whole round globe, by means -only known to wizards, the news sped fast to all the -wizard world. It was proclaimed at every Sabbath, -from Blockula to the Brocken. The Lapland witch -whispered it to the Finland witch, as they sat tying -up wind after wind in knots for their seafaring -customers. The Druids of Carnac knew it, and the -Persian devil worshippers. The Shamans of Siberia -made a song of it and beat their magic drums -thereto. The magicians of Egypt pictured it in their -mirrors of ink. The African Obi men washed their -great fetish in the blood of a thousand virgins, and -sent it as a present, over the desert sands, to -Porphyro. Even the medicine men heard of it in -the heart of an undiscovered continent, and -emblazoned it upon the walls of their medicine -lodge. Everyone foresaw a brilliant career for -Porphyro. They fully expected him to disembowel -Hell. The reverse was what really happened. -Instead of swinging himself at once to the top round -of the ladder, he showed no disposition to trouble -himself at all. He opened a private office in the -town referred to at the beginning of our story, and -carried on a private business in magic of the whitest -kind. For him no monster evocations, with a million -demons at his beck and call, like the Sicilian whom -Benvenuto Cellini employed to conjure for him in the -Coliseum. Porphyro refused in the most stiff-necked -manner to exorcise on any terms for anyone. He -confined himself solely to pettyfogging business, such -as writing talismans, and reckoning magic squares, -drawing horoscopes, and casting schemes of geomancy, -poisoning rivals for lovers, or close-fisted -relatives for spendthrift heirs. Need we state in -black and white the reason (concealed from everyone -else), why he held his hand from higher things? -Oh, the humiliation of it! He was afraid! Yes, -Porphyro was afraid, even he, who had plucked a -hair from the devil's beard, for that very reason he -was afraid. He had saved his soul alive, losing only -a shadow of little moment to him, but in return, he -had incurred the eternal enmity of one whose grudge -had once shaken the high heavens. The general -adversary of all mankind was first and beyond all -things most ferociously Porphyro's adversary. -Unhappy Porphyro, who had already given seisin to -hell, Porphyro with one half of him already in the -living devil's clutch, who never slept but he dreamed -of the tortures his poor shadow suffered at the hands -of those that lovingly work evil! Tortures, which -were but foreshadowings of his own! No wonder -Porphyro dared not invoke even the least of spirits. -He knew too well that the mightiest of them would -appear with no greater calling than a word. -</p> - -<p> -But there was one antidote which wrestled with -the nightshade in his cup, one star of the right colour -appeared above his horizon. There was a woman in -his town (one only for him) a princess and the ward -of a king, an exquisite beauty. From the first time -he saw her, he loved her with a passion which -reproached his meaner self. She fed upon his sighs, -without knowing that the air she breathed was full -of them. In any case, he would never have dared to -speak to her. It was sufficient daily bread to him -to see her move. He hung upon her footsteps. He -kept pace with her in her rides, running ever in the -shadow because he himself had no shadow to call his -own. Yet he forgot while looking at her this one -great fact of his life. Even in his dreams she -presently held his hand while he suffered. And he -dreamed of her thus till he set his teeth in his pillow. -Gradually her little mouth sucked up all the breath -of his body. He wrote poems about his princess and -swallowed them. Often he took no other food for -days. He made philtres which would infallibly have -caused her to love him, had he not ruthlessly thrown -them all away as soon as made. He constructed an -image of her in wax, and worshipped it five times -daily. It was this which wrought his downfall. -Certain of his clients (they had not paid him) denounced -him as a sorcerer. Without notice he received a -domiciliary visit from the authorities. Apart from -other evidence which the house contained, the wax -image of the princess was discovered, and he was at -once charged with intending to make away with her -life. Oh, the irony of fate, he who would have -cheerfully laid down his own for her! Being forcibly -removed from his house, the secret he had so long -kept was discovered, and this shadowlessness, though -accounted for in a hundred ways, all wide of the -truth, was added at once to the long list of crimes in -his indictment. At the preliminary examination, he -would confess nothing. He was accordingly -imprisoned pending the preparation of tortures to shake -his resolution. With the aid of these refinements, he -might be made to confess anything, even that he had -attempted the life of his best beloved. The scaffold -loomed before him. And oh, that her name should -be bandied about in such context. -</p> - -<p> -Meanwhile Porphyro sat, body and soul in darkness. -He saw none but the jailer, who brought him -food once daily, with a finger ever, on his lips. Rats -there were, and such small deer, but with these he -could hold no converse, although in his youth he had -met with men who professed to teach their languages, -Porphyro was fain to chatter constantly to himself -that he might have no time to think. He played his -school games over again, rehearsed his school tasks to -imaginary masters, held imaginary conversations with -clients and with his parents long dead, and with his -princess who was more than parent, and more than -dead to him. He wooed her in a thousand ways, -now as an emperor, raising her to his level, now as -the meanest of her grooms, to whom she sweetly -condescended, now he was a soldier, better used to -red lips of wounds than red lips which wound, now -he was a scholar, who forgot all wisdom save hers, -now he was a miser, who came like Jupiter in a -shower of gold. Thus riotous reigned carnival before -his coming Lent. -</p> - -<p> -And now comes the strangest part of all this -strange eventful history. He fancied once or twice -that he was replied to as he spoke. Again and again -he groped all over the blind prison, and felt no one. -Yet there was of a surety a tongue which answered -him. And the weirdness of it was that, turn though -he might, it always spoke from behind him. Again -he searched the litter of the dungeon, and again -without result. The voice was at first unintelligible, -like the murmur of the sea, yet with a cadence which -soon struck his ear as strangely familiar. He had -heard it only once before, but it had been in that -cock-pit underground where he had fought a main -which had coloured his whole life. He was bound -up with the memory of it like a poor prisoner whom -men fetter to a corpse. It was the still small voice -which dominates the brawl of Hell. -</p> - -<p> -His hair could grow no whiter, else it had done -so. He listened with all his ears and began to catch -syllables and afterwards words, till at last he made -out that the Tempter was proposing terms of peace -with him. -</p> - -<p> -Right well knew Porphyro (none better), the price -that must be paid for such a truce. His soul must -feed the quick of Hell. It seemed hard to yield up -at last that immortal henchman which he had once -so gloriously saved from these same talons. Yet -what chance had he? On the one hand, if he -maintained his feud with the Evil One, the halter was -weaving which must strangle love and life. On the -other part, if he surrendered his soul to the Exile, he -could at any rate make what terms he pleased. And -there were terms he pictured himself exacting which -made ultimate payment of the highest price seem -easy to the blood which had once stood face to face -with Satan, and given him better than he gave. -Porphyro still continued to argue <i>pro</i> and <i>con</i>, though -his decision was a foregone conclusion. At last he -formulated his demands to the spirit. He must -marry the Princess. He must be her husband, were -it but for a single night. -</p> - -<p> -The walls of the dungeon suddenly became bright -with a kind of phosphorescent glow. Porphyro (still -alone, or, at any rate, he seemed so) saw a table -standing in front of him, bearing a bond already -drawn and the materials for signing it. The terms -set forth were those he had himself proposed. He -signed, sealed, and delivered it, and was plunged into -darkness again as his finger left the parchment. A -sense of infernal laughter pervaded the air, though -nothing was to be heard. Porphyro fell full length -to the ground in a fainting fit. -</p> - -<p> -When he recovered his jailer was standing over -him, come (as he thought) to bring him food, but he -was soon disabused of any such notion by the man -himself. He, who had refused on all prior occasions -to hold converse with his prisoner, now spoke voluntarily -to tell him the sands of his captivity had run -out. At first the dazed cage bird (who had forgotten -for the moment his compact) believed that he was on -the point of expiating his crimes, real and imaginary, -upon the scaffold. But the jailer, not without difficulty, -made it clear to him that all captives received -pardon on the joyous occasion of the marriage of -their Princess, which was fixed for that day. Then -Porphyro remembered all, and swooned again. -</p> - -<p> -When he revived, our hero was sitting in the -open air upon the steps which led from the jail. He -caught the smell of oxen roasting whole in the -market-place. The sky was red with the fires. The -streets as far as he could see them, were paved -with flowers and, decorated with triumphal arches. -The citizens were bustling about in holiday attire. -Music seemed to be playing everywhere. Occasionally -some exuberant person fired off a gun. -Porphyro rubbed his eyes and wondered whether -this could really be his wedding day. He had faith -in the boundless powers of the banner under which -he had enrolled himself. And yet was it possible? -But his faith was amply justified. An equerry -suddenly rode up, parting the spectators to right and -left, leading a spare horse magnificently caparisoned, -and followed in the distance by a brilliant retinue. -He doffed his cap to Porphyro and sprang to the -ground, and with a profound obeisance, said in tones -of deep respect:— -</p> - -<p> -"I trust your Highness has recovered from your -indisposition. I have brought the horse as your -Highness commanded." -</p> - -<p> -Porphyro dimly understood that some potent -influence was at work on his behalf. With -the assistance of his squire he took to the saddle. -The latter then, with another bow, remounted his -own horse, scattered a handful of gold to each side -to break up the crowd, and with the rest of the train -(which had caught up with them) they galloped to -the Cathedral. Porphyro noted with stupid surprise -that all the fountains spouted wine, whereto certain -of the citizens, judging by the hiccups which mingled -with their cheers, had already applied themselves, -not wisely but too well. But our hero was in a -state of so great fog himself as to feel his heart warm -more towards these than to the soberer ones, whose -salutations he clumsily returned. By the time the -Cathedral was reached, he was rolling in his saddle. -He could not have dismounted without help. The -incense made him dizzy. He could not get the -ringing of the bells out of his ears. The candles -danced before his eyes. Of all the service he heard -one word, and that was uttered by one who stood -beside him, and whom alone he saw (and that -through a mist) of all that gay assembly. It was -the Princess. He pressed her hand as if he would -never part with it. -</p> - -<p> -The service over, he had no idea how, or in what -order they reached the castle, and the banquet which -followed was more or less of a blank to him. The -wines of which he partook liberally, could make him -no more drunk, nor all the compliments of all the -fulsome speeches (had he heard them) raise by one -degree his pride. He soared empyrean high in the -thought that he had won the right to crush into one -cup, one moment, all the eternal delirium of all the -heavens. -</p> - -<p> -That moment of fruition had come at last. -Porphyro stood in that holy of holies, his princess's -chamber. A guard of soldiers was ranged along the -four walls of this dainty nest. Each leaned with one -arm upon a pike, while with the other hand he held -aloft a blazing torch. Great personages were also -present, both courtiers and noble dames, and at last -the bride herself was brought in by her women. -While complimentary discourse passed from mouth -to mouth, Porphyro longed with his whole bartered -soul to be alone with her. He was burning with -internal fire which he could hold in little longer. At -last he approached one that appeared to act as -master of the ceremonies. -</p> - -<p> -"When is this rigmarole going to end?" he -muttered between his teeth. -</p> - -<p> -"Whenever your Highness pleases to draw your -sword and lay it in the middle of the bed, the princess -will take up her place upon one side of it, while you -occupy the other," was the reply. -</p> - -<p> -Porphyro started. He sorely recognised that -voice. The official kept his face averted, but it was -undoubtedly the demon. -</p> - -<p> -"What mean you by this gabble of naked swords -between me and her?" thundered Porphyro, unheeding -who might hear. "Damned posture master, -is she not my wife?" -</p> - -<p> -"Your wife, yes, but only by letters of procuration," -and there was a note of triumph in that voice. -</p> - -<p> -"God of the Judgment! What is that you say?" -</p> - -<p> -"I say you must be dreaming not to remember -that you are only temporarily united to the princess -in your character of proxy for his Imperial Majesty, -the Holy Roman Emperor." -</p> - -<p> -"Alas the while! Then I am dreaming, indeed!" -</p> - -<p> -"These soldiers," continued the demon, "will -remain here all night. These ladies and gentlemen -will also attend here till morning, to entertain you -and your bride of an hour through your somewhat -tedious spell of lying fully dressed together." -</p> - -<p> -"Death and the Pit! Is this true?" -</p> - -<p> -"True as death, assured as the pit. To-morrow -you will sheathe your sword, and depart from her for -ever." -</p> - -<p> -Porphyro pressed his hands to his temples. He -thought his brain would burst. He saw it all -now. He was the dupe of the fiend who had once -been his dupe. His place in this pageant had been -contrived with infernal subtlety, only to wring the -uttermost pang from his heart strings. He who sups -with the devil (they say) must needs have a very -long spoon. No help was possible. The Evil One -was reaping his revenge. And now he was assured -his victim had at last grasped the situation, he threw -off the mask, and showed himself in his true colours. -He raised his eyes for the first time from the ground, -those brimming lakes of bottomless hate which -Porphyro had fronted once before in the -underground hall. It was his turn now to quail. -</p> - -<p> -"Ha! ha!" laughed the fallen angel. "By mine -ancient seat in heaven (and that is an oath I never -lightly take as you may guess), confess, have I not -bested you, friend Porphyro? He laughs best who -laughs the last; is it not so?" -</p> - -<p> -"But what about that bond registered between us -in Hell's chancery?" cried Porphyro, in a voice which -would have melted triple brass. -</p> - -<p> -"Your bond," shrieked Beelzebub. "Do you remind -me of your bond; you who once outfaced me -that a bond should be read by the letter, and not by -the spirit? I have come round to your views, and -I now fling that word back in your teeth. You have -had your bond to the letter, and now go and kill -yourself, for there is nothing more for you to do." -</p> - -<p> -Porphyro bent like a broken reed. He had found -his over-mastering fate. His hopes were ash. He -breathed in gasps. He staggered to the window, -and threw open the casement. A great pitiful star -looked in, but to his eyes it appeared red and -bloodshot. He turned round again to the room. He -wished to see once more before he died that mistress -of his soul for whose sake he had flung it away. But -the figure of his master had swelled, and was swelling -so rapidly in size that it seemed to fill every available -corner of the room. Porphyro raised his hands to -heaven, and called upon his lady's name. Three -times he called it, and then sprang out of the window. -The princess, who had grasped nothing of what had -passed, ran to the shutter, and looked out just in time -to hear the splash of his body as it fell into the moat. -It was the first sign of interest in him which she had -shown. -</p> - -<p><br><br><br><br></p> - -<div style='display:block; margin-top:4em'>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK TALES OF THE SUPERNATURAL ***</div> -<div style='text-align:left'> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Updated editions will replace the previous one—the old editions will -be renamed. -</div> - -<div style='display:block; margin:1em 0'> -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law 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. 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