"TherewereSimlareasons，certainly，"hereplied。"ButyouthinkIcamehereforsolitude!SOLITUDE!"herepeated，withalaugh。
　　"Why，Iholddailyconversationswithanyblessedthinginthishouse，fromtheverandatothechimney—stack，withanystickoffurniture，fromthefootstooltothetowel—horse。IgetmoreoutofitthanthegabbleattheClub。Youlooksurprised。Listen!I
　　tookthisthingupinmyleisurehoursintheDepartment。Ihadreadmuchabouttheconversationofanimals。Iarguedthatifanimalsconversed，whyshouldn’tinanimatethingscommunicatewitheachother？Youcannotprovethatanimalsdon’tconverse——neithercanyouprovethatinanimateobjectsDONOT。See？"
　　Iwasthunderstruckwiththeforceofhislogic。
　　"Ofcourse，"hecontinued，"therearedegreesofintelligence，andthatmakesitdifficult。Forinstance，amahoganytablewouldnottalklikearush—bottomedkitchenchair。"Hestoppedsuddenly，listened，andreplied，"Ireallycouldn’tsay。"
　　"Ididn’tspeak，"Isaid。
　　"IknowYOUdidn’t。Butyourchairaskedme’howlongthatfoolwasgoingtostay。’Irepliedasyouheard。Praydon’tmove——I
　　intendtochangethatchairforonemoreaccustomedtopolitesociety。Tocontinue：Iperfectedmyselfinthelanguage，anditwasawfullyjollyatfirst。WheneverIwentbytrain，Iheardnotonlyalltheenginessaid，butwhateveryblessedcarriagethought，thatjoinedintheconversation。Ifyouchapsonlyknewwhatrotthosewhistlescangetoff!Andasforthebrakes，theycanbeatanymuledriverincursing。Then，afteratime，itgotrathermonotonous，andItookashortseatripformyhealth。But，byJove，everyblessedinchofthewholeship——fromthescrewtothebowsprit——hadsomethingtosay，andthebadlanguageusedbythegarboardstrakewhentheshiprolledwassomethingtooawful!Youdon’thappentoknowwhatthegarboardstrakeis，doyou？"
　　"No，"Ireplied。
　　"NomoredoI。That’sthedreadfulthingaboutit。You’vegottolistentochapsthatyoudon’tknow。Why，cominghomeonmybicycletheotherdaytherewasanawfulrowbetweensomeinfernal’sprocket’andthe’ballbearings’ofthemachine，andIneverknewbeforethereweresuchthingsinthewholeconcern。
　　IthoughtIhadgotathissecret，andsaidcarelessly："ThenI
　　supposethiswasthereasonwhyyoubrokeoffyourengagementwithMissMillikens？"
　　"Notatall，"hesaidcoolly。"Nothingtodowithit。Thatisquiteanotheraffair。It’saveryqueerstory；wouldyouliketohearit？"
　　"Byallmeans。"Itookoutmynotebook。
　　"YourememberthatnightoftheAmateurTheatricals，gotupbytheWhiteHussars，whenthelightssuddenlywentoutalloverthehouse？"
　　"Yes，"Ireplied，"Iheardaboutit。"
　　"Well，IhadgonedowntherethateveningwiththedeterminationofproposingtoMaryMillikensthefirstchancethatoffered。Shesatjustinfrontofme，hersisterJanenext，andhermother，smartWidowMillikens，——whowasabitlarkyonherownaccount，youremember，——thenextonthebench。Whenthelightswentoutandthepanicandtitteringbegan，Isawmychance!Ileanedforward，andinavoicethatwouldjustreachMary’searIsaid，’Ihavelongwishedtotellyouhowmylifeisboundupwithyou，dear，andI
　　never，nevercanbehappywithoutyou’——whenjustthentherewasamightybigshovedownmybenchfromthefellowsbeyondme，whoweretryingtogetout。ButIheldonlikegrimdeath，andstruggledbackagainintoposition，andwenton：’You’llforgivemytakingachancelikethis，butIfeltIcouldnolongerconcealmyloveforyou，’whenI’mblestiftherewasn’tanothershove，andthoughI’dgotholdofherlittlehandandhadakindofsqueezeinreturn，I
　　wasdriftedawayagainandhadtofightmywayback。ButImanagedtofinish，andsaid，’Ifthedevotionofalifetimewillatoneforthishurriedavowalofmyloveforyou，letmehopeforaresponse，’andjustthentheinfernallightswereturnedon，andthereIwasholdingthewidow’shandandshenestlingonmyshoulder，andthetwogirlsinhystericsontheotherside。Yousee，Ineverknewthattheywereshoveddownontheirbencheverytime，justasIwas，andofcoursewhenIgotbacktowhereIwasI’djustskippedoneofthemeachtime!Yes，sir!IhadmadethatproposalinTHREEsections——aparttoeachgirl，windingupwiththemother!Noexplanationwaspossible，andIleftSimlanextday。Naturally，itwasn’tathingtheycouldtalkabout，either!"
　　"ThenyouthinkMrs。Awksbyhadnothingtodowithit？"Isaid。
　　"Nothing——absolutelynothing。Bytheway，ifyouseethatlady，youmighttellherthatIhavepossessionofthatbrocadeeasy—
　　chairwhichusedtostandinthecornerofherboudoir。Yourememberit，——fadedwhiteandyellow，withoneofthecastersoffandalittlefrayedattheback，butrathersoft—spokenandamiable？Butofcourseyoudon’tunderstandTHAT。Iboughtitaftershemovedintohernewbungalow。"
　　"ButwhyshouldItellherthat？"Iaskedinwonder。
　　"Nothing——exceptthatIfinditveryamusingwithitsreminiscencesofthecompanysheusedtoentertain，andherconfidencesgenerally。Good—by——takecareofthelioninthehall。Healwayscouchesontheleftforaspring。Ta—ta!"
　　Ihurriedaway。WhenIreturnedtoSimlaItoldMrs。Awksbyofmydiscoveries，andspokeofthearmchair。
　　Ifanciedshecoloredslightly，butquicklyrecovered。
　　"DearoldSparkley，"shesaidsweetly；"heWASachampionliar!"
　　II。
　　APRIVATE’SHONOR
　　IhadnotseenMulledwineyforseveraldays。Knowingtheman——thislookedbad。SoIdroppedinontheColonel。Ifoundhimindeepthought。Thislookedbad，too，foroldCockeyWax——ashewasknowntoeverybodyintheHilldistrictsbuthimself——wasn’tgiventothinking。Iguessedthecauseandtoldhimso。
　　"Yes，"hesaidwearily，"youareright!It’stheoldstory。
　　Mulledwiney，Bleareyed，andOtherwiseareatitagain，——drinkfollowedbyClink。EvennowtwocorporalsandaprivatearesittingonMulledwiney’sheadtokeephimquiet，andBleareyedischainedtoanelephant。"
　　"Perhaps，"Isuggested，"youareunnecessarilysevere。"
　　"Doyoureallythinkso？Thankyousomuch!Iamalwaysgladtohaveacivilian’sopiniononmilitarymatters——andviceversa——itbroadensoneso!Andyet——amIsevere？Iamwilling，forinstance，tooverlooktheirraiduponanativevillage，andtheransomtheydemandedforanativeinspector!Ihaveoverlookedtheirtakingthehorsesoutofmycarriagefortheirownuse。Iamcontentalsotobelievethatmyfowlsmeeklysuccumbtojunglefeverandcholera。ButtherearesomethingsIcannotignore。ThecarryingoffofthegreatgodVishnufromtheSacredShrineatDucidbadbyTheThreeforthesakeofthepricelessopalsinitseyes"——
　　"ButIneverheardofTHAT，"Iinterruptedeagerly。"Tellme。"
　　"Ah!"saidtheColonelplayfully，"that——asyousooftenandsoamusinglysay——is’AnotherStory’!YetIwouldhaveoverlookedthetheftoftheopalsiftheyhadnotsubstitutedtwooftheQueen’sregimentalbuttonsfortheeyesofthegod。This，whileitdidnotdeceivetheignorantpriests，hadadeeppoliticalandracialsignificance。Youareaware，ofcourse，thatthegreatmutinywasoccasionedbytheissueofcartridgestothenativetroopsgreasedwithhog’sfat——forbiddenbytheirreligion。"
　　"Butthesethreemencouldthemselvesalonequellamutiny，"I
　　replied。
　　TheColonelgraspedmyhandwarmly。"Thankyou。Sotheycould。I
　　neverthoughtofthat。"Helookedrelieved。Forallthat，hepresentlypassedhishandoverhisforeheadandnervouslychewedhischeroot。
　　"Thereissomethingelse，"Isaid。
　　"Youareright。Thereis。Itisasecret。Promisemeitshallgonofurther——thanthePress？Nay，swearthatyouwillKEEPitforthePress!"
　　"Ipromise。"
　　"ThankyouSOmuch。ItisamatterofmyownandMulledwiney’s。
　　Thefactis，wehavehadaPERSONALdifficulty。"Hepaused，glancedaroundhim，andcontinuedinalow，agitatedvoice：
　　"YesterdayIcameuponhimashewassittingleaningagainstthebarrackwall。Inaspiritofplayfulness——mereplayfulness，I
　　assureyou，sir——Ipokedhimlightlyintheshoulderwithmystick，saying’Boo!’Heturned——andIshallneverforgetthelookhegaveme。"
　　"Goodheavens!"Igasped，"youtouched——absolutelyTOUCHED——
　　Mulledwiney？"
　　"Yes，"hesaidhurriedly，"Iknewwhatyouwouldsay；itwasagainsttheQueen’sRegulations——and——therewashissensitivenaturewhichshrinksfromevenaharshword；butIdidit，andofcoursehehasmeinhispower。"
　　"Andyouhavetouchedhim？"Irepeated，——"touchedhisprivatehonor!"
　　"Yes!ButIshallatoneforit!Ihavealreadyarrangedwithhimthatweshallhaveitoutbetweenourselvesalone，inthejungle，strippedtothebuff，withourfists——Queensberryrules!Ihaven’tfoughtsinceIstoodupagainstSpinksMajor——yourememberoldSpinks，nowoftheBombayOffensibles？——atEton。"Andtheoldboypluckilybaredhisskinnyarm。
　　"Itmaybeserious，"Isaid。
　　"Ihavethoughtofthat。Ihaveawife，severalchildren，andanagedparentinEngland。IfIfall，theymustneverknow。Youmustinventastoryforthem。Ihavethoughtofcholera，butthatisplayedout；youknowwehavealreadytrieditonTheBoywhowasThrownAway。Inventsomethingquiet，peaceableandrespectable——asfarremovedfromfightingaspossible。Whatdoyousaytomeasles？"
　　"Nothalfbad，"Ireturned。
　　"Measlesletitbe，then!SayIcaughtitfromWeeWillieWinkie。
　　Youdonotthinkittooincredible？"headdedtimidly。
　　"NotmorethanYOURstory，"Isaid。
　　Hegraspedmyhand，strugglingviolentlywithhisemotion。Thenhestruggledwithme——andIlefthurriedly。Pooroldboy!Thefuneralwaswellattended，however，andnooneknewthetruth，notevenmyself。
　　III
　　JUNGLEFOLK
　　Itwashighnoonofawarmsummer’sdaywhenMooKowcamedowntothewatering—place。Miaow，otherwiseknownas"Puskat"——thewarmth—lovingone——wascrouchingonalimbthatoverhungthepool，sunningherself。BrerRabbit——butthatisAnotherStorybyAnotherPerson。
　　ThreeorfourGeeGees，alreadyatthepool，movedawayontheapproachofMooKow。
　　"Whydoyestandaside？"saidtheMooKow。
　　"Whydoyousay’ye’？"saidtheGeeGeestogether。
　　"Becauseit’smoreimpressivethan’you。’Don’tyouknowthatallanimalstalkthatwayinEnglish？"saidtheMooKow。
　　"Andtheyalsosay’thou，’anddon’tyouforgetit!"interruptedMiaowfromthetree。"IlearntthatfromaManCub。"
　　Theanimalsweresilent。TheydidnotlikeMiaow’sslang，andwerejealousofheroccasionallysittingonaManCub’slap。OnceDun—
　　kee，apoorrelationoftheGeeGees，hadtriediton，disastrously——butthatisalsoAnotherandamoreAgedStory。
　　"WeareriddenbyTheEnglish——pleasetoobservetheCapitalletters，"saidPiBol，theleaderoftheGeeGees，proudly。"Theyareamightyracewhorideanythingandeverybody。D’yemindthat——
　　Imean，lookyewelltoit!"
　　"WhatshouldtheyknowofEnglandwhoonlyEnglandknow？"saidMiaow。
　　"Isthataconundrum？"askedtheMooKow。
　　"No；it’spoetry，"saidtheMiaow。
　　"IknowEngland，"saidPiBolprancingly。"IusedtogofromtheBanktoIslingtonthreetimesaday——Imean，"headdedhurriedly，"beforeIbecameascrew——Ishouldsay，ascrew—gunhorse。"
　　"AndI，"saidtheMooKow，"amterrible。Whentheyoungwomenandchildreninthevillageseemeapproachtheyflyshriekingly。Mypresencealonehasscatteredtheirsacredfestival——TheSundesKoolPiknik。Istriketerrortotheirinmostsouls，andammorefearedbythemthanevenKreep—mows，theinsidious!Andyet，behold!I
　　havetakentheplaceofthemothersofmen，andIhavenourishedthemightyonesoftheearth!Butthat，"saidtheMooKow，turningherheadasidebashfully，"thatisAnudderStory。"
　　Adeadsilencefellonthepool。
　　"AndI，"saidMiaow，liftinguphervoice，"Iamthehorrorandhaunterofthenightseason。WhenIpasslikethenightwindovertheroofsofthehousesmenshudderintheirbedsandtremble。
　　WhentheyhearmyvoiceasIcreepstealthilyalongtheirbalconiestheycrytotheirgodsforsuccor。Theyarise，andfromtheirwindowstheyoffermetheirpricelesshouseholdtreasures——thesacredvesselsdedicatedtotheirgreatgodShiv——whichtheycall’ShivinMugs’——theKloesBrosh，theBoo—jak，urgingmetoflythem!
　　Andyet，"saidMiaowmournfully，"itisbutmylove—song!ThinkyewhattheywoulddoifIwereonthewar—path。"
　　Anotherdeadsilencefellonthepool。Thenarosethatstrange，mysterious，indefinableThing，knownas"TheScent。"Theanimalssniffed。
　　"ItheraldstheapproachoftheStalkies——themostfamousofBritishSkoolBoaz，"saidtheMooKow。"Theyhavejustplacedadecayingguinea—pig，twowhitemiceinanadvancedstateofdecomposition，andasinglesliceofLimburgercheeseinthebedoftheirtutor。Theyhadpreviouslyskillfullydivertedthedrainssothattheyemptiedintothedrawing—roomofthehead—master。Theyhavejustburneddownhishouseinanaccessofnoblezeal，andarefightingamongthemselvesforthespoil。Hark!doyehearthem？"
　　Awildmedleyofshrieksandhowlshadarisen，andanirregularmobofstrangecreaturessweptoutofthedistancetowardthepool。
　　Somewerelikepygmies，somehadbloodynoses。Theirtalkconsistedoffeverish，breathlessejaculations，——agibberishinwhichthewords"rot，""oach，"and"giddy"werepreeminent。Somewereexcitingthemselvesbychewingakindof"bhang"madefromtheplantcalledpappahmint；othershadtheirfacesstreakedwithdjam。
　　"Butwhoisthistheyareduckinginthepool？"askedPiBol。
　　"Itisonewhohasfoolishlyandwantonlyconceivedthathisparentshavesenthimheretostudy，"saidtheMooKow；"butthatisagainsttherulesoftheStalkies，whoacceptstudyonlyasapunishment。"
　　"Thenthesebesurelythe’BanderLog’——themonkeyfolk——ofwhomthegoodRhuddyiddhastoldus，"saidaGeeGee——"theoneswhohavenopurpose——andforgeteverything。"
　　"Fool!"saidtheMooKow。"KnowyenotthatthegreatRhuddyiddhassaidthattheStalkiesbecomeMajor—Generals，V。C。’s，andC。
　　B’softheEnglish？Truly，theyaregreat。Looknow；yeshallseeoneofthegreatesttraitsoftheEnglishStalky。"
　　OneofthepygmyStalkieswasofferingabuntoalargerone，whohesitated，buttookitcoldly。
　　"Behold!itisoneofthegreatesttraitsofthismightyracenottoshowanyemotion。HeWOULDtakethebun——heHAStakenit!Heispleased——buthemaynotshowit。Observehimeat。"
　　ThetallerStalky，aftereatingthebun，quietlykickedthegiver，knockedoffhishat，andturnedawaywithacalm，immovableface。
　　"Good!"saidtheMooKow。"Yewouldnotdreamthathewasabsolutelychokingwithgratefulemotion？"
　　"Wewouldnot，"saidtheanimals。
　　"Butwhyaretheyallrunningbackthewaytheycame？"askedPiBol。
　　"Theyaregoingbacktopunishment。Greatisitspower。HaveyenotheardthegospelofRhuddyiddthemighty？’Forceiseverything!Gentlenesswon’twash，courtesyisdeceitful。
　　Politenessisforeign。Beyebeatenthatyemaybeat。Passthekickon。’"
　　Butherehewasinterruptedbytheappearanceofthreesoldierswhowereapproachingthewatering—place。
　　"Yearenow，"saidtheMooKow，"withthemainguard。ThefirstisBleareyed，whocarriesaraveninacage，whichhehasstolenfromthewifeofadeputycommissioner。Hewillpaintthebirdsnowwhiteandsellitasadovetothesamelady。ThesecondisOtherwise，whoisdraggingasmallgardenengine，ofwhichhehasdespoiledanativegardener，whomhehasfelledwithasingleblow。
　　ThethirdisMulledwiney，swingingacut—glassdecanterofsherrywhichhehasjustsnatchedfromthetableofhiscolonel。
　　MulledwineyandOtherwisewillplaytheengineuponBleareyed，whoissufferingfromheatapoplexyanddjim—djams。"
　　Thethreesoldiersseatedthemselvesinthepool。
　　"Theyaregoingtotellawfulwarstoriesnow，"saidtheMooKow，"storiesthatarelargeandstrong!Somepeopleareshocked——
　　otherslike’em。"
　　ThenhethatwascalledMulledwineytoldastory。InthemiddleofitMiaowgotupfromthelimbofthetree，coughedslightly，andputherpawdelicatelyoverhermouth。"Youmustexcuseme，"shesaidfaintly。"Iamtakenthiswaysometimes——andIhaveleftmysaltsathome。Thanks!Icangetdownmyself!"Thenextmomentshehaddisappeared，butwasheardcoughinginthedistance。
　　Mulledwineywinkedathiscompanionsandcontinuedhisstory：——
　　"Widthatweworinthethickavthefoight。WhinIsay’thick’I
　　maneit，sorr!Weworthatjammedtogether，divilabitcudweshootorcut!Atfur—rest，Ihadlashedtwomushkitstogetherwidthebaynitsoutso，likeahayfork，andgettingthehaymaker’sliftonthim，IjustliftedtwoPaythiansout——oneanaychbaynit——
　　andpassed’em，aisy—like，overmeheadtotherearrankforthemtofinish。Butwhatwidthebludgettin’intomeois，Iwasblinded，andthepressurekeptincraysin’untilmearrumswasthrussedlikeafowltomesides，andsorraabitcudImovebutmejaws!"
　　"Andbloomin’wellyouknewhowtousethem，"saidOtherwise。
　　"Thrueforyou——thoughyedon’tmaneit!"saidMulledwiney，playfullytappingOtherwiseontheheadwithadecantertillthecutglassslowlyshivered。"So，begorra!therewornothingleftformetodobuttoATEthim!Wirra!butitwasthecrooelworruk。"
　　"Excuseme，mylord，"interruptedthegaspingvoiceofPiBolashebegantobackfromthepool，"Iambutahorse，Iknow，andbeingbuiltinthatway——naturallyhavethestomachofone——yet，really，mylord，this——er"——Andhisvoicewasgone。
　　Thenextmomenthehaddisappeared。Mulledwineylookedaroundwithaffectedconcern。
　　"Saveus!Butwe’vecleanedouttheJungle!Sure，there’snotabasteleftbutourselves!"
　　Itwastrue。Thewatering—placewasempty。MooKow，Miaow，andtheGeeGeeshaddisappeared。Presentlytherewasaboomingcrashandalong，deeprumblingamongthedistanthills。ThentheyknewtheywereneartheoldMoulmeinPagoda，andthedawnhadcomeuplikethunderoutofChina’crossthebay。Italwayscameupthatwaythere。Thestrainwastoogreat，anddaywasactuallybreaking。
　　"ZUT—SKI"
　　THEPROBLEMOFAWICKEDFEMESOLE
　　BYM——R——EC——R——LLI
　　I
　　Thegreatpyramidtoweredupfromthedesertwithitsapextowardthemoonwhichhunginthesky。Forcenturiesithadstoodthus，disdainingtheaidofgodsorman，being，astheSphinxherselfobserved，abletostandupforitself。Andthiswasnosmallpraisefromthatsublimeyetmysteriousfemalewhohadseentheagescomeandgo，empiresriseandfall，novelistsucceednovelist，andwho，foreonsandcyclesthecynosureandcentreofadmirationandmen’sidolatrousworship，hadyet——wonderfulforawoman——
　　throughitallkeptherhead，whichnowaloneremainedtosurveycalmlythepresent。Indeed，atthatmomentthatmagnificentandpeacefulfaceseemedtohavelost——withafewunimportantfeatures——
　　itsusualexpressionofspeculativewisdomandintensedisdain；
　　itsmouthsmiled，itslefteyelidseemedtodroop。Astheopaltintsofdawndeepeneduponit，theeyelidseemedtodrooplower，closed，andquicklyrecovereditselftwice。YouwouldhavethoughttheSphinxhadwinked。
　　Thenaroseavoicelikeawindonthedesert，——butreallyfromthedirectionoftheNile，whereahireddahabiyehlaymooredtothebank，——"’ArryAxes!’ArryAxes!"Withitcamealsoaflapping，trailingvisionfromthewater——thesacredIbisitself——andwithwingsaslantdriftedmournfullyawaytoitsowncreakingecho：
　　"K’raksis!K’raksis!"Againarosetheweirdvoice："’ArryAxes!
　　Wotcherdoin’of？"AndagaintheIbiscroakeditswildrefrain：
　　"K’raksis!K’raksis!"Moonlightandthehourwovetheirownmystery（forwhichtheauthorisnotresponsible），andthevoicewasheardnomore。Butwhenthefulldaysprangingloryoverthedesert，itilluminatedthefewremainingbutsufficientlylargefeaturesoftheSphinxwithaburningsaffronradiance!TheSphinxhadindeedblushed!
　　II
　　ItwasthefullseasonatCairo。ThewealthandfashionofBayswater，SouthKensington，andeventheboskyWoodoftheEvangelisthadsenttheirlatestluxuryandstyletofloutthetombsofthepastwiththeghastlyflippancyofto—day。Thecheaptripperwasthere——thelatestexampleoftheDarwiniantheory——
　　apelike，fleaandcuriohunting!Shamelesslyinquisitiveandalwayshungry，whatdidheknowoftheSphinxorthepyramidsorthevoice——and，forthematterofthat，whatdidtheyknowofhim？
　　Andyethewasnothalfbadincomparisonwiththe"swaggerpeople，"——thesepeoplewhopretendtohavelungsandwhatnot，andinsteadofgallopingonmerryhuntersthroughthefrostandsnowofPiccadillyandPark，insteadofenjoyingtheroaringfiresofpiledlogsintheevening，atthefirstapproachofwinterstealawaytotheLandoftheSun，anddeclinetodie，likehonestBritons，onBritishsoil。AndthentheyknownothingoftheEgyptiansandarehorrifiedat"bakshish，"whichtheyreallyoughttopayfortheprivilegeofshockingthestraight—limbed，naked—footedArabinhissingleroughgarmentwiththeirbaggyelephant—leggedtrousers!
　　Andtheyknownothingofthemysticlandoftheoldgods，filledwithprofoundenigmasofthesupernatural，darksecretsyetunexploredexceptinthisbook。WellmightthegreatMemnonmurmurafterthislapseofthesethousandyears，"They’remakingmetired!"
　　Suchwastheblissful，self—satisfiedignoranceofSirMidasPyle，orasLordFitz—Fulke，withhisdelightfulimitationoftheEastLondonaccent，calledhim，Sir"MydeHisPyle，"asheleanedbackonhisdivanintheGrandCairoHotel。HewasthevulgareditorandproprietorofavulgarLondonnewspaper，andhadbroughthiswifewithhim，whowasvainlytryingtomarryoffhisfadeddaughters。Therewastobeafancy—dressballatthehotelthatnight，andLadyPylehopedthathergirls，ifproperlydisguised，mighthaveabetterchance。Here，too，wasLadyFitz—Fulke，whosemotherwasimmortalizedbyByron——sixtyifaday，yetstilldressingyouthfully——whohadsoughtthelandoftheSphinxinthefainthopethatinthecontiguityofthatladyshemightpassforbeingyoung。AlasterMcFeckless，asplendidyoungScotchman，——
　　alreadydressedasaFlorentinesailorofthefifteenthcentury，whichenabledhimtoshowhismagnificentcalvesquiteaswellasinhisnativehighlanddress，andwhohadaddedwithcharacteristicnobleprideasporrantohiscostume，waslollingonanotherdivan。
　　"Oh，thoseexquisite，thosemagnificenteyesofhers!Eh，sirs!"
　　hemurmuredsuddenly，aswakingfromadream。
　　"Oh，damnhereyes!"saidLordFitz—Fulkelanguidly。"Tellyouwhat，oldman，you’rejustgoneonthatgirl!"
　　"Ha!"roaredMeFeckless，springingtohisfeet，"yewillbeusingsuchlanguageofthebonniest"——
　　"Youwillexcuseme，gentlemen，"saidSirMidas，——whohatedscenesunlesshehadatrustedreporterwithhim，——"butIthinkitistimeformetogoupstairsandputonmyWindsoruniform，whichIfindexceedinglyconvenientforthesemixedassemblies。"Hewithdrew，caressinghisprotuberantpaunchwithsomedignity，asthetwomenglancedfiercelyateachother。
　　Inanothermomenttheymighthavesprungateachother’sthroats。
　　Butluckilyatthisinstantacurtainwaspushedasideasifbysomewaitinglistener，andathinmanentered，dressedincapandgown，——whichwouldhavebeensimplyacademicbutforhiscarryinginonehandbehindhimabundleofbirchtwigs。ItwasDr。HaustusPilgrim，anotedLondonpractitionerandspecialist，dressedas"YeOlde—fashionedPedagogue。"HewaspresumablyspendinghisholidayontheNileinalargedahabiyehwithanumberoffriends，amongwhomhecountedthetwomomentaryantagonistshehadjustinterrupted；butthosewhoknewthedoctor’sfar—reachingknowledgeandcrypticresearchesbelievedhehadhisownscientificmotives。
　　Thetwomenturnedquicklyasheentered；theangrylightfadedfromtheireyes，andanawedandrespectfulsubmissiontotheintrudertookitsplace。Hewalkedquietlytowardthem，putalozengeinthemouthofoneandfeltthepulseoftheother，gazingcriticallyatboth。
　　"Wewillbeallrightinamoment，"hesaidwithprofessionalconfidence。
　　"Isay!"saidFitz—Fulke，gazingatthedoctor’scostume，"youlookdoocedsmartinthosetogs，don’tcherknow。"
　　"Theysuitme，"saidthedoctor，withaplayfulswishofhisbirchtwigs，atwhichthetwogravemenshuddered。"Butyouwerespeakingofsomebody’sbeautifuleyes。"
　　"ThePrincessZut—Ski’s，"returnedMcFecklesseagerly；"andthisdaftcallantsaid"——
　　"Hedidn’tlikethem，"putinFitz—Fulkepromptly。
　　"Ha!"saidthedoctorsharply，"andwhynot，sir？"AsFitz—Fulkehesitated，headdedbrusquely："There!Runawayandplay!I’vebusinesswiththisyoungman，"pointingtoMcFeckless。
　　AsFitz—Fulkeescapedgladlyfromtheroom，thedoctorturnedtoMcFeckless。"Itwon’tdo，myboy。ThePrincessisnotforyou——
　　you’llonlybreakyourheartandruinyourfamilyoverher!That’smyadvice。Chuckher!"
　　"ButIcannot，"saidMcFecklesshumbly。"Thinkofherweirdlybeautifuleyes。"
　　"Isee，"saidthedoctormeditatively；"sortofmakesyoufeelcreepy？Kindofall—overishness，eh？That’slikeher。Butwhomhavewehere？"
　　Hewasstaringatastrikingfigurethathadjustentered，closelyfollowedbyacrowdofadmiringspectators。And，indeed，heseemedworthyofthehomage。Hismagnificentformwascloselyattiredinavelveteenjacketandtrousers，withasingulardisplayofpearlbuttonsalongtheseams，thatwereabsolutelylavishintheirquantity；ahatadornedwithfeathersandrosescompletedhissingularlypicturesqueequipment。
　　"Chevalier!"burstoutMcFecklessinbreathlessgreeting。
　　"Ah，monami!Whatgoodchance？"returnedthenewcomer，rushingtohimandkissinghimonbothcheeks，totheBritishhorrorofSirMidas，whohadfollowed。"Ah，butyouareperfect!"headded，kissinghisfingersinadmirationofMcFeckless’sFlorentinedress。
　　"Butyou？——whatisthisravishingcostume？"askedMcFeckless，withapangofjealousy。"Youaregod—like。"
　　"ItisthedressofwhatyoucalltheKoster，atransplantedPheniciantribe，"answeredtheother。"Theywhoknocked’emintheroadofOldKent——knowyounotthelegend？"Ashespoke，heliftedhissuperbformtoawarrior’sheightandgesture。
　　"Butisthisquitecorrect？"askedFitz—Fulkeofthedoctor。
　　"Perfectly，"saidthedoctororacularly。"Therenowned’’ArryAxes’——Ibeghispardon，"heinterruptedhimselfhastily，"ImeantheChevalier——isperfectinhisarchaeologyandethnology。TheKosterisoriginallyaGypsy，whichisbutacorruptionoftheword’Egyptian，’and，ifImistakenot，thatgentlemanisalinealdescendant。"
　　"Butheiscalled’Chevalier，’andhespeakslikeaFrenchman，"
　　saidFluffy。
　　"And，beingaFrenchman，ofcourseknowsnothingoutsideofParis，"
　　saidSirMidas。
　　"WeareintheLandofMystery，"saidthedoctorgravelyinalowvoice。"YouhaveheardoftheEgyptianHallandtheTempleofMystery？"
　　Ashudderpassedthroughmanythatwerethere；butthemajoritywerefollowingwithwildadulationthesuperbKoster，who，withelbowsslightlyoutwardandhandsturnedinward，waspassingtowardtheballroom。McFecklessaccompaniedhimwithconflictingemotions。WouldheseetheincomparablePrincess，whowaslovelierandevenstillmoreamysterythantheChevalier？Wouldshe——
　　terriblethought!——succumbtohisperfections？
　　III
　　ThePrincesswasalreadythere，surroundedbyacrowdofadmirers，equalifnotsuperiortothosewhowerefollowingthesuperbChevalier。Indeed，theymetalmostasrivals!Theireyessoughteachotherinsplendidcompetition。TheChevalierturnedaway，dazzledandincoherent。"Sheisadorable，magnificent!"hegaspedtoMcFeckless。"Iloveherontheinstant!Behold，Iamtransported，ravished!Presentme。"
　　Indeed，asshestoodthereinastrangegauzygarmentofexquisitecolors，apparentlyshapeless，yetnowandthenrevealingherperfectfigurelikeabatherseenthroughundulatingbillows，shewaslovely。Twowandswereheldinhertaperfingers，whosemysteryonlyaddedtothegeneralcuriosity，butwhoseweirdandcabalisticusesweretobeseenlater。Hermagnificentface——
　　strangeinitsbeauty——wasstrangerstill，since，withperfectarchaeologicalEgyptiancorrectness，shepresenteditonlyinprofile，atwhateveranglethespectatorstood。Butsuchaprofile!ThewordsofthegreatPoet—KingrosetoMcFeckless’slips："HernoseisasatowerthatlookethtowardDamascus。"
　　Hehesitatedamoment，tornwithloveandjealousy，andthenpresentedhisfriend。"Youwillfallinlovewithher——andthen——
　　youwillfallalsobymyhand，"hehissedinhisrival’sear，andfledtumultuously。
　　"Voulez—vousdanser，mademoiselle？"whisperedtheChevalierintheperfectaccentoftheboulevardier。
　　"Merci，beaucoup，"sherepliedinthediplomaticcourtesiesoftheAmbassadeurs。
　　Theydancedtogether，notonce，butmanytimes，totheadmiration，thewonderandenvyofall；tothescandalizedreprobationofaproperfew。Whowasshe？Whowashe？Itwaseasytoanswerthelastquestion：theworldrangwiththereputationof"ChevaliertheArtist。"Butshewasstillamystery。
　　Perhapstheywerenotsotoeachother!Hewasgazingdeliriouslyintohereyes。Shewaslookingathimindisdainfulcuriosity。
　　"I’veseenyoubeforesomewhere，haven’tI？"shesaidatlast，withacrushingsignificance。
　　Heshuddered，heknewnotwhy，andpassedhishandoverhishighforehead。"Yes，Igothereveryoften，"herepliedvacantly。"Butyou，mademoiselle——you——Ihavemetbefore？"
　　"Oh，ages，agesago!"Therewassomethingweirdinheremphasis。
　　"Ha!"saidavoicenearthem，"Ithoughtso!"Itwasthedoctor，peeringatthemcuriously。"Andyoubothfeelratherdazedandcreepy？"Hesuddenlyfelttheirpulses，lingering，however，astheChevalierfancied，somewhatlongerthannecessaryoverthelady’swristandbeautifularm。HethenputasmallroundboxintheChevalier’shand，saying，"Onebeforeeachmeal，"andturningtotheladywithcaressingprofessionalaccentssaid，"Wemustwrapourselvescloselyandendeavortoinduceperspiration，"andhurriedaway，draggingtheChevalierwithhim。Whentheyreachedasecludedcorner，hesaid，"Youhadjustnowakindoffeeling，don’tyouknow，asifyou’dsortofbeentherebefore，didn’tyou？"
　　"Yes，whatyoucalla——preexistence，"saidtheChevalierwonderingly。
　　"Yes；Ihaveoftenobservedthatthosewhodoubtafuturestateofexistencehavenohesitationinacceptingapreviousone，"saidthedoctordryly。"Butcome，Iseefromthewaythecrowdarehurryingthatyourdivinity’snumberisup——Imean，"hecorrectedhimselfhastily，"thatsheisprobablydancingagain。"
　　"Aha!withhim，theimbecileMcFeckless？"gaspedtheChevalier。
　　"No，alone。"
　　Shewasindeedalone，inthecentreoftheballroom——withoutstretchedarmsrevolvinginanoccult，weird，dreamy，mystic，druidical，cabalisticcircle。Theynowforthefirsttimeperceivedthemeaningofthosestrangewandswhichappearedtobeattachedtothemanyfoldsofherdiaphanousskirtsandinvolvedherinafleecy，whirlingcloud。Yetinthewildconvolutionsofhergarmentsandthemadgyrationsofherfigure，herfacewasupturnedwiththeseraphicintensityofadevotee，andherlipspartedaswiththeimpassionedappealfor"Light!morelight!"Andtheappealwasanswered。Afloodofblue，crimson，yellow，andgreenradiancewasalternatelypoureduponherfromtheblackboxofamysteriousNubianslaveinthegallery。Theeffectwasmarvelous；atonemomentsheappearedasamartyrinasheetofflame，atanotherasanangelwrappedinwhiteandmuffledpurity，andagainasanymphoftheceruleansea，andthensuddenlyacloudofdarknessseemedtodescenduponher，throughwhichforaninstantherfigure，asimmaculateandperfectasamarblestatue，showeddistinctly——thenthelightwentoutandshevanished!
　　Thewholeassemblyburstintoarapturouscry。EventhecommonArabattendantswhowerepeepinginatthedoorsraisedtheirmelodiousnativecry，"Alloe，Fullah!Aloe，Fullah!"againandagain。
　　Ashockedsilencefollowed。ThenthevoiceofSirMidasPylewasheardaddressingDr。HaustusPilgrim：
　　"Maywenotpresume，sir，thatwhatwehavejustseenisnotunlikethatremarkableexhibitionwhenIwaspainedtomeetyouoneeveningattheAlhambra？"
　　Thedoctorcoughedslightly。"TheAlhambra——ah，yes!——you——er——
　　refer，Ipresume，toGranadaandtheLandoftheMoor，wherewelastmet。ThemusicanddancearebothdistinctlyMoorish——which，afterall，isakintotheEgyptian。Iamgratifiedindeedthatyourmemoryshouldbesoretentiveandyourarchaeologicalcomparisonsoaccurate。Butsee!theladiesareretiring。Letusfollow。"
　　IV
　　TheintoxicationproducedbytheperformanceofthePrincessnaturallyhaditsreaction。TheBritishmoralsoul，startledoutofitshypocrisythenightbefore，demandedthebitterbeerofself—consciousnessandremorsethenextmorning。Theladieswerenowopenlyshockedatwhattheyhadsecretlyenvied。LadyPylewas，however，propitiatedbythedoctor’sassurancethatthePrincesswasafriendofLadyFitz—Fulke，whohadpromisedtolendheryouthfulageandaristocraticprestigetothereturnballwhichthePrincesshaddeterminedtogiveatherownhome。"Still，I
　　thinkthePrincessopentocriticism，"saidSirMidasoracularly。
　　"Damnallcriticismandcritics!"burstoutMcFeckless，withthenoblefranknessofapassionateandyetunfetteredsoul。SirMidas，whoemployedcriticsinhisbusiness，ashedidotherbaseandignobleslaves，drewuphimselfandhispaunchandwalkedaway。
　　TheChevaliercastasuperblookatMcFeckless。"Voila!Regardmewell!IshallseekoutthisPrincesswhensheiswithherself!
　　Alone，comprenez？IshallseekheratherhotelintheEgyptianHall!Ha!ha!IshallseekZut—Ski!Zut!"AndhemadethatrapidyetgracefulmotionofhispalmagainsthisthighknownonlytothetrueParisian。
　　"It’sarumholewhereshelives，andnobodygetsasightofher，"
　　saidFlossy。"It’slikeabeastlyfamilyvault，don’tyouknow，outside，andthere’sakindofniggerdoorkeeperthatvisesyouandchucksyououtifyouhaven’tthestraighttip。I’llshowyoutheway，ifyoulike。"
　　"Allons，enavant!"saidtheChevaliergayly。"Iprecipitatemyselfthereontheinstant。"
　　"Remember!"hissedMcFeckless，graspinghisarm，"youshallaccounttome!"
　　"Bien!"saidtheChevalier，shakinghimofflightly。"Alla—r—r—
　　right。"Then，inthatincomparablebaritone，whichhadsooftenenthralledthousands，hemovedaway，trollingthefirstverseofthePrincess’sownfaint，sweet，sadsongofthe"LotusLily，"thatthrilledMcFecklesseventhroughtheChevalier’smarkedFrenchaccent：——
　　"Oh，ahardzingtogetiszeLotusLillee!
　　Shelifinzeswamp——inzewatairchillee；
　　Shemakeyourfootwet——andyoulooksosillee，ButyoubuyherforsixpenceinPiccadillee!"
　　InhalfanhourthetwomenreachedtheremotesuburbwherethePrincesslived，agloomy，windowlessbuilding。PausingunderalowarchwayoverwhichinEgyptiancharactersappearedthefadedlegend，"StaGedOor，"theyfoundaNubianslaveblockingthedimentrance。
　　"Ileaveyouhere，"saidFlossyhurriedly，"asevenIleftoncebefore——onlythenIwaslightlyassistedbyhissandaledfoot，"headded，rubbinghimselfthoughtfully。"Butbetterlucktoyou。"
　　Ashiscompanionretreatedswiftly，theChevalierturnedtotheslaveandwouldhavepassedin，butthemanstoppedhim。"Gotapass，boss？"
　　"No，"saidtheChevalier。
　　Themanlookedathimkeenly。"Oh，Isee!oneofdeprofesh。"
　　TheChevaliernoddedhaughtily。Themanprecededhimbydevious，narrowwaysanddarkstaircases，comingabruptlyuponasmallapartmentwherethePrincesssatonalowdivan。Asinglelampinclosedinanominouswirecageflaredaboveher。Strangethingslayaboutthefloorandshelves，andfromanotherdoorhecouldseehideousmasks，frightfulheads，anddisproportionatefaces。Heshudderedslightly，butrecoveredhimselfandfellonhiskneesbeforeher。"Ilofeyou，"hesaidmadly。"Ihavealwayslofedyou!"
　　"Forhowlong？"sheasked，withastrangesmile。
　　Hecovertlyconsultedhisshirtcuff。"Fortreetousandfifehundredandsixty—twoyears，"hesaidrapidly。
　　Shelookedathimdisdainfully。"Thedoctorhasbeenputtingyouuptothat!Itwon’twash!Idon’trefertoyourshirtcuff，"sheaddedwithdeepsatire。
　　"Adorableone!"hebrokeoutpassionately，attemptingtoembraceher，"Ihavecometotakeyou。"Withoutmoving，shetouchedaknobinthewall。Atrap—doorbeyondhimsank，andoutofthebowelsoftheearthleapedthreeindescribabledemons。Then，rising，shetookacakeofchalkfromthetableand，drawingamystichalfcircleonthefloor，returnedtothedivan，litacigarette，andleaningcomfortablyback，saidinalow，monotonousvoice，"Advanceonefootwithinthatmagicline，andonthathead，althoughitworeacrown，IlaunchthecurseofRome。"
　　"I——onlywantedtotakeyou——withakodak，"hesaid，withalightlaughtoconcealhisconfusion，asheproducedtheinstrumentfromhiscoat—tailpocket。
　　"Notwiththatcheapbox，"shesaid，risingwithmagnificentdisdain。"Comeagainwithadecentinstrument——andperhaps"——
　　Then，lightlyhumminginapurecontralto，"I’vebeenphotographedlikethis——I’vebeenphotographedlikethat，"shesummonedtheslavetoconducthimback，andvanishedthroughacanvasscreen，whichneverthelessseemedtothedazedChevaliertobethestonyfrontofthepyramids。
　　V
　　"Andyousawher？"saidthedoctorinFrench。
　　"Yes；butthethree—thousand—yeargagdidnotwork!Shespottedyou，cherami，ontheinstant。Andshewouldn’tletmetakeherwithmykodak。"
　　Thedoctorlookedgrave。"Isee，"hemusedthoughtfully。"Youmusthavemycamera，alargeroneandmorebulkyperhapstocarry；butshewillnotobjecttothat，——shewhohasstoodforfulllengths。
　　Iwillgiveyousomeprivateinstructions。"
　　"But，cherdoctor，thisprevious—existenceidea——atwhatdoyouarrive？"
　　"Thereismuchtosayforit，"saidthedoctororacularly。"Ithassurvivedinthebeliefofallages。Whocantell？Thatsomemeninapreviousexistencemayhavebeengoatsorapes，"continuedthedoctor，lookingathimcuriously，"doesnotseemimprobable!FromthetimeofPythagoraswehaveknownthat；butthattheindividualasanindividualegohasbeenremandedorprojected，hasharkedbackoranticipatedhimself，is，wemaysay，withourpowersofapperception，——thatis，theperceptionthatweareperceiving，——
　　is"——
　　ButtheChevalierhadfled。"Nomatter，"saidthedoctor，"IwillseeMcFeckless。"Hedid。Hefoundhimgloomy，distraught，baleful。Hefelthispulse。"Themixtureasbefore，"hesaidbriefly，"andalittleinnocentdiversion。ThereisanAuntSallyontheesplanade——twothrowsforapenny。Itwilldoyougood。
　　Thinknomoreofthiswoman!Listen，——Iwishyouwell；yourfamilyhavealwaysbeengoodpatientsofmine。MarrysomegoodScotchgirl；Iknowonewithfiftythousandpounds。LetthePrincessgo!"
　　"Tohim——never!Iwillmarryher!Yet，"hemurmuredsoftlytohimself，"feeftythousandpun’isnaesmallsum。Aye!NotthatI
　　careforsiller——butfeeftythousandpun’!Eh，sirs!"
　　VI
　　Dr。HaustusknewthattheChevalierhadagainvisitedthePrincess，althoughhehadkeptthevisitasecret，——andindeedwashimselfinvisibleforadayortwoafterwards。Atlastthedoctor’scuriosityinducedhimtovisittheChevalier’sapartment。
　　Entering，hewassurprised——eveninthatLandofMystery——tofindtheroomprofoundlydark，smellingofEasterndrugs，andtheChevaliersittingbeforealargeplateofglasswhichhewasexaminingbytheaidofaluridrubylamp，——theonlylightintheweirdgloom。Hisfacewaspaleanddistraught，hislocksweredisheveled。
　　"Voila!"hesaid。"MonDieu!Itismythirdattempt。Alwaysthesame——hideous，monstrous，unearthly!Itisshe，andyetitisnotshe!"
　　Thedoctor，professionalmanashewasandinuredtosuchspectacles，wasstartled!TheplatebeforehimshowedthePrincess’sfaceinallitsbeautifulcontour，butonlydimlyveilingaghastlydeath’s—headbelow。Therewasthewholebonystructureoftheheadandtheeyelesssockets；eventhegraceful，swan—likeneckshowedthearticulatedvertebralcolumnthatsupporteditinallitshideousreality。Thebeautifulshoulderswerethere，dimlyasinadream——butbeneathwastheemptyclavicle，theknottyjoint，thehollowsternum，andtheribsofaskeletonhalflength!
　　Thedoctor’svoicebrokethesilence。"Myfriend，"hesaiddryly，"youseeonlythetruth!Youseewhatshereallyis，thispeerlessPrincessofyours。Youseeherassheisto—day，andyouseeherkinshiptothebonesthathavelainforcenturiesinyonderpyramid。Yettheywereonceasfairasthis，andthiswasasfairasthey——ineffectthesame!Youthathavemadly，impiouslyadoredhersuperficialbeauty，themeredustoftomorrow，letthisbeawarningtoyou!Youthathavenosoultospeakof，letthatsufficeyou!Takeherandbehappy。Adieu!"
　　Yet，ashepassedoutofthefittingtomblikegloomoftheapartmentanddescendedthestairs，hemurmuredtohimself："OddthatIshouldhavelenthimmycamerawiththeRontgen—rayattachmentstillon。Nomatter!ItisnotthefirsttimethatthePrincesshasappearedintwopartsthesameevening。"
　　VII
　　Inspiteofenvy，jealousy，andmalice，acertaincuriositygreaterthanallthesedreweverybodytothePrincessZut—Ski’sball。LadyFitz—Fulkewasthereinvirginwhite，lookingmoreyouthfulthanever，inspiteofhersixty—fiveyearsandthecardlabeled"FreshPaint"whichsomebodyhadplayfullyplaceduponherenameledshoulder。TheMcFecklesses，thePyles，Flossy，thedoctor，andtheChevalier——lookingstillanxious——wereinattendance。
　　ThemysteriousNubiandoorkeeperadmittedthegueststhroughthesamenarrowpassages，muchtothedisgustofLadyPyleandthediscomfitureofherpaunchyhusband；butonreachingalargecircularinteriorhall，agreatersurprisewasinstoreforthem。
　　Itwasfoundthattheonlyentrancetothebodyofthehallwasalonganarrowledgeagainstthebarewallsomedistancefromthefloor，whichobligedthegueststowalkslowly，insinglefile，alongthisprecariousstrip，givingthemtheattitudesofanEgyptianfrieze，whichwassuggestedintheoriginalplasterabovethem。Itisneedlesstosaythat，whiletheeffectwasingeniousandstrikingfromthecentreoftheroom，wherethePrincessstoodwithafewpersonalfriends，itwasexceedinglyuncomfortabletothefiguresthemselves，intheirenforcedmarchalongtheledge，——
　　especiallyafigureofSirMidasPyle’sproportions。Suddenlyanexclamationbrokefromthedoctor。
　　"Doyousee，"hesaidtothePrincess，pointingtothefigureoftheChevalier，whowasfilingalongwithhissinewyhandsslightlyturnedinward，"howsurprisinglylikeheistothefirstattendantontheKingintherealfriezeabove？Andthat，"addedthedoctor，"wasnoneotherthan’ArryAxes，theEgyptianyouarealwaysthinkingof。"Andhepeeredcuriouslyather。
　　"Goodnessme!"murmuredthePrincess，inanArabicmuchmoresoftandfluentthantheoriginalgum。"Sohedoes——looklikehim。"
　　"Anddoyouknowyoulooklikehim，too？Wouldyoumindtakingawalkaroundtogether？"
　　Theydid，amidtheacclamationsofthecrowd。Thelikenesswasperfect。ThePrincess，however，wasquitewhiteassheeagerlyrejoinedthedoctor。
　　"Andthismeans——？"shehissedinalowwhisper。
　　"Thatheisthereal’ArryAxes!Hush，notawordnow!Wejointhedahabiyehto—night。Atdaybreakyouwillmeethimatthefourthangleofthepyramid，firstturningfromtheNile!"
　　VIII
　　ThecrescentmoonhungagainovertheapexoftheGreatPyramid，likeasilvercuttingfromtherosynailofahouri。TheSphinx——
　　mightyguesserofriddles，readerofrebusesanduniversalsolverofmissingwords——lookedovertheunfathomabledesertandthesefewpages，withtheworried，hopelessexpressionofonewhoisobligedatlasttogiveitup。Andthenthewailingvoiceofawoman，toilingupthesteepstepsofthepyramid，washeardabovethecreakingoftheIbis："’ArryAxes!Whereareyou？Waitforme。"
　　"J’ysuis，"saidavoicefromtheverysummitofthestupendousgranitebulk，"yetIcannotreachit。"
　　Andinthatfaintlightthefigureofamanwasseen，liftinghisarmswildlytowardthemoon。
　　"’ArryAxes，"persistedthevoice，driftinghigher，"waitforme；
　　wearepursued。"
　　Andindeeditwastrue。AbandofNubians，headedbythedoctor，wasalreadyswarminglikeantsupthepyramid，andtheunhappypairweresecured。Andwhenthesunrose，itwasuponthewhitesailsofthedahabiyeh，thevacantpyramid，andtheslumberingSphinx。
　　TherewasgreatexcitementattheCairoHotelthenextmorning。
　　ThePrincessandtheChevalierhaddisappeared，andwiththemAlasterMcFeckless，LadyFitz—Fulke，thedoctor，andevenhisdahabiyeh!Athousandrumorshadbeenincirculation。SirMidasPylelookedupfromthe"Times"withhisusualI—told—you—soexpression。
　　"Itisthemostextraordinarything，don’tcherknow，"saidFitz—
　　Fulke。"ItseemsthatDr。HaustusPilgrimwashereprofessionally——
　　asanervespecialist——inthetreatmentofhallucinationsproducedbyneuroticconditions，youknow。"
　　"Amaddoctor，here!"gaspedSirMidas。
　　"Yes。ThePrincess，theChevalier，McFeckless，andevenmymotherwereallpatientsofhisonthedahabiyeh。Hebelieved，don’tcherknow，inhumoringthemandlettingthemfollowouttheircranks，underhismanagement。ThePrincesswasamusic—hallartistwhoimaginedshewasadeadandgoneEgyptianPrincess；andthequeerestofall，’ArryAxeswasalsoamusic—hallsingerwhoimaginedhimselfChevalier——youknow，thegreatKosterartist——andthat’showwetookhimforaFrenchman。McFecklessandmypooroldmotherweretheonlyoneswithanyrealrankandposition——butyouknowwhatabeastlybounderMacwas，andthepoormaterDIDoverdotheyouthful!WenevercalledthedoctorinuntilthedayshewantedtogotoaswellballinLondonasLittleRedRiding—hood。
　　Butthedoctorwritesmethattheexperimentwasasuccess，andthey’llbeallrightwhentheygetbacktoLondon。"
　　"Then，itseems，sir，thatyouandIweretheonlysaneoneshere，"
　　saidSirMidasfuriously。
　　"Reallyit’sasmuchasIcandotobecertainaboutmyself，oldchappie，"saidFitz—Fulke，turningaway。