Rose Mortimer; Or, The Ballet-Girl's Revenge — page 94: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

88 _— ROSE MORTIMER. ‘“They are too matter-of-fact—never admit aught that does not come within reach of their comprehen- sion — deny all that bears the slightest appearance of mystery—und lose many truths—”’ ‘© Which they are perfectly well unacquainted ; with.” ‘* Perhaps.” ‘Well, so it seems to me,’ said Sir Harold. come here for a little hokus- -pokus,! because it is something new—something a little exciting, and: be- cause I’m thoroughly used up, Else I know well that I had better stay away.” ** And wherefore ?”’ Sir Harold King hemm’d and ha‘d, but could give no reason for this. As he was speaking the faint tinkling of a bell reached the Arab. We say the Arab, because’ Sir Harold apyiarSntly did not observe it. Mermet looked up and summoned Ahmet the attendant. “ Ahmet.”” ‘€ Sahib.”” “€ Conduct this gentleman to another apartment.”’ The servant salaamed both his master and: the visitor in great humility. ‘¢ Will the sahib fo!low his humble slave ?” ‘¢ By all means,” said the baronet, ‘“‘since it must be so.”’ ““T will join you pee ne said the Arab. ‘‘I have to see a visitor, I shall be with you as soon as I can dispose of him.” Good.” Ahmet then led Sir Harold to the next apartment by rather a circuitous route—promenading an un- necessary amount of passage, Here he ushered him in. ‘Do you require anything, sahib?” “No. I can amuse myself here while old Hokus Pokus gets ready for me.’ The servant left. As Sir Harold looked around him: he perceived that the walls were decorated with all kinds of anatomical drawings and scientific diagrams. The room contained half a dozen globes. In the centre of the room was an arabasque flower- stand, filled with artificial flowers and leaves, most natur ally worked and highly scented. The flower-stand was in the centre of a small plat- form, elevated some few inches above the level of the boards. This was the first object which attracted his’ at- tention. “‘ A neat little contrivance that,’ he thought. wonder if they are real.” Taking a chair, he placed himself beside the flow ers and leant over them. ‘* Delicious !”? he said, “‘ What beautiful perfume !”’ Each flower was differently scented, and it was an intoxicating effect which they all produced together. Never before had Sir Horold experienced such sensations. Never had such odours been inhaled. They seemed to steal upon the senses, bewildering and enrapturing at once. ‘‘Strange,’’ muttered the baronet incoh rently. ** Strange effect.” The final syllable of the latter word almost died upon his lips ere it was barely uttered. He remained with his eyes fixed upon the flowers, perfectly still and motionless. His expression was rather that of a lover gazing upon the face of his mistress than aught else. Rapturous delight was there clearly delineated, although he neither moved nor spoke, ey in raptures of delight, ts ‘like ‘that. He appeared insensible to all that was passing around him. A slight sound like the sliding of a curtain failed to arouse his attention. There was a fresh stream of light admitted from the further end of tlie apartment. A long tapestry curtain was drawn aside, showing the next room. Still the baronet never moved from the same posi- tion. . And yet the opening of the curtain disclosed a sight which of all others would have been the most likely to excite Dis curiosity and attention. & * * The bar ab necromancer Bea I Mes has reccived another visitor. This is the gentleman who called upon him the previous day. ' Major Strangeways, as Alimet had ascertained at the club. ‘Well, sir astrologer,” entered. ‘‘ I am here.”’ “*T see.”’ ‘‘And now to the little bit of mummery we were discussing yesterday.” ‘Mummery ?” ce Ay. ” ** You are not choice in your expressions at ap- pears to me.’ ‘“‘True, I am not.’’ “Phen I would have you a little guarded. Re- member that you seek me and my council, not I ou. 3) ee Pooh! pooh !’ ‘And if I am further annoyed by you TI shall decline.”’ “‘ Woa |”? said thé visitor with a coarse laugh. ** Not quite so fast. Do you think I’m going to let you off You are endeavouring to knock up a shine, it strikes me, in order to get out of a fix which you got ‘said the visitor as he ‘into by your wonderful promises yesterday.” “¢ What mean you 2” “That you’re a humbug.” 6* Sir ! 1”? &§ And that I shall expose your devilish humbug- gery.’ The Arab ‘fixed his eyes quietly upon those of his visitor. | * And the dog ?” These few words, so smoothly uttered, had a striking effect upon the visitor. ‘He changed colour visibly. He endeavoured to smile, but met with a lamenta- failure. **T see you aregrowing to know that I am not the fool and charlatan you would take me for,” said the Arab. ‘€T—I don’t understand.”’ Truly 2”? **No, I really mean no offence in anything I may say. ? ‘* And your threats ?” ‘Threats? Absurd! I offer threats, Mr. Mermet ? Preposterous !” “So I say,” quoth the Arab drily. ** But touching the matter of which you spoke yesterday ?”’ The dogs’ 79 Ay.” ‘You want the drug for him ?” “Ay. Unless—” ‘Speak on. Uniless I can bring it here, as I said?” ce Yes. 32 ‘Then I can, condition.”’ ** Name it.” But this can only be done upon one Eonnieoooks com)