The Argosy, Vol. XXIV, No. 1 — page 89: what you’re looking at

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

A MONTH IN THE MOON. 89 On a level with the latter were ivory plates, bearing the inscriptions: /avvs, London, Rome, Constantinople, St. Petersburg, New York, Pekin, Calcutta, Quebec, etc. ‘‘T have turned the Khartoum wire aside,’’ said the dwarf, laughing, ‘and Gordon’s despatches must pass here on their way to Cairo. Read this if thou art interested.’’ Gertrude remained motionless. ‘(T will read it to thee,’’ continued Kaddour. General Gordon to Sir Evelyn Baring, Agent-General of Her Brittannic Majesty at Carro. KHARTOUM, March 2. If an English battalion start for Khartoum vza the Nile, everything will be saved. The number of men is unimportant; the prestige is sufficient. The insurrection will die out of itself if only I am supposed tovbe supported by European troops. If not, all is lost. We shall be blockaded in less than three days. (Signed ) GORDON. ‘““T shall send on the despatch,’’ said the dwarf, with a sneer, ‘but I shall alter it somewhat by stating that #0 army of support is needed. What sayest thou, child? Nowidost thou believe in my ayers aie ‘“T believe in thy treachery !’’ ; CHAPTER XVIII.—THE DWARF’S POWER. Tue dwarf grew pale with rage. Fora few minutes he remained in a gloomy reverie. Then, turning to Gertrude, he said with a long drawn sigh: “How can I manage to convince thee? Foolish girl! Art thou then impervious to fear? ‘Thou art not content with what thou hast seen already. Perhaps thou desirest proofs of my supernatural power? Thou shalt have them. Wouldst thou at this moment behold him of whom thou art thinking ?’’ He blew a shrill blast on the silver whistle hanging to hissash. Instantly a third alcove opened like the others, and behind a screen formed of a large sheet of crystal there arose a slight cloud like mist. This gradually con- densed and took at length a human shape. Gertrude recognized her father. He was seated in his office in the French Consulate at Khartoum, and attentively studying a report that lay before him. Ona sudden he leaned back in his arm chair. ‘Then he opened a drawer in his desk, and took out a portrait that Gertrude tearfully recognized as her own. The consul kissed it long and tenderly. Tears must have filled his eyes, for Gertrude saw him wipe them away, and her own flowed so freely at the sight that she could no longer distinguish anything. Little by little the vision faded away. “That isthe present,’’ said the dwarf, ‘‘ and now behold the future.”’ On the crystal screen where but a moment before the image of her beloved father had rested, Gertrude now beheld a circular form that gradually took distinct shape. She knew it for the grand square at Khartoum, with the Government House on one side, the French Consulate on the other. It was apparently the dawn of day ; people of every age and condition were COMmicaoolks 3