The Argosy, Vol. XXIV No. 2 — page 146: what you’re looking at

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

338 A MONTH IN THE MOON. ‘Where shall we find its alphabet ?’’ said Norbert. ‘‘I own that I never thought of providing that, and perhaps the omission was a mistake on my part.’’ ‘“ Perhaps we can devise a sGbstitute’® rejoined the doctor. ‘‘I used to know it pretty well, once upon a time, and it is much easier than is generally supposed. One has only to remember the conventional finger signs that stand for the twenty four letters of the alphabet ; it is much easier for us than for poor children who have never had their sight or hearing, and do not kngw their letters. See! This is how the letter A is shown.’’ - The doctor proceeded to teach them all the other letters of the alphabet in succession. He took out his note book and drew the signs on it in pencil. ““T don’t know how it is,’’ he resumed, ‘‘ but it isa curious fact that a little thing of thissort sometimes remains for years in a corner of the memory, much like a bundle of letters in an old drawer, and is ready for use when oc- casion offers. We must have fresh signs if I have forgotten auy.”’ They all proved good pupils, and gesticulated in praiseworthy concert. Norbert, glancing at Virgil, thought that even he was trying to learn the mute language. The soldier stood on the threshold of the office gesticulating wildly. But, on a sudden, his master saw that his signs were genuine attempts to attract notice. He was blinking his eyes, and making despairing gestures from behind Gertrude’s chair, as if to intimate to his master that he had something serious and special to communicate to him in private and as soon as possible. Norbert gave him a look to Sica that he cadecaid. and left the table soon after, pretending that he had to take the time of a chronometer in the Hall of Telescopes. ‘‘ There are thieves here, sir,’’ Virgil whispered. ‘Thieves! What do you mean?’’ | ‘“‘T have just found the store room quite demolished. The canned goods biscuits, sugar, coffee, everything is gone! We have been robbed of tons. Everything is upset, the drawers left open, and the cases empty on the floor. One would think a troop of Arabs must have been there. And it was all done while we were at the foot of the Peak. For I was the last to leave the storeroom with a barrel of water, and I find it in this state on my return !”’ ‘* Might it not have been done by Sir Bucephalus?’’ ‘‘Sir Bucephalus? He couldn’t have carried off all that is missing |! Feit must have been the work of eight or ten men, depend upon it. Besides, Sir Bucephalus has not been in, I think, and he has not touched the lunch table.’’ ‘“ What makes you think so?”’ ‘‘Kverything. The way in which the ham is cut, the meats nace about, so unlike the orderly, methodical habits of the English. We servants notice these little matters. And, then, he has a good appetite, certainly ; but he could not have eaten such a lot! Besides, his dinner napkin has not been un- folded, and his plate is quite clean. No, no. Believe me, sir, Sir Bucephalus has not been in,’’ 5 =) cS) G =} O sO )(0 (0)