In Search of an Unknown Race — page 139: what you’re looking at

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

VAN. 129 Descending these, the trio found themselves in a perfectly circular room, perhaps twenty feet in diameter, with a dome-like ceiling. From the middle of it de- pended a sort of antique lamp, which sent out a curious perfume as it burned with a steady, unwavering flame. ‘‘Ah, you have been down here to-day, father,” said Ninada, looking curiously about her. ‘“‘T was here nearly all night, daughter,” was the grave reply. And then, seating himself on a quaintly- wrought and embossed coffer of copper, Mr. Briscoe motioned the two to seats on a couple of others. Several such coffers were ranged about the circular apartment. ‘‘When I brought Flores home with me, after the death of his parents,” began Mr. Briscoe, rather abruptly, ‘‘Y meant not only to make him my heir, but to fit him for the position of an escort and protector to Ninada when she should go forth into the world. This,” he said, addressing Van directly, ‘‘ was before I dreamed that I should be allowed by the governor and his council to share my wealth with such of my own blood as might be living in my native country. ‘‘But I was disappointed in Flores,” he went on with a tone of sadness. ‘‘ As he grew up certain inherited traits, such as deceitfulness, a revengeful disposition, and a set determination that all things should yield to his imperious will, began to develop themselves. So when, in return for a certain favor done the governor, the edict was issued allowing me to share as I have said (on condition that I myself always remain in Itambez), I wrote the letter intended for my brother, and at the same time told Flores what I had done.” GEOmiGcbdoo cS (G(0)