The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1905-10-08

W}A N@M ], 4sn' ';o'; 81 c !, 's sss1sass
kSAv~-- INTO single long cham
@& Sel'r NE .mYlH1{I Der ut the back It was
MI -rmMENTN I(tttt9 here that Dncre had that
singular library Of occult
8&a&$s literature, and the fan
tnstic c,riosities served hobby for himself
land an amusement for his friends wealthy man OF
refined and eccentric tastes he had spent much OF his
y "a ana naue Collection Of Talmudo cabalisto
magical works Of them of great rarity and value
have heard that his experiments the
direction the unknown have passed all the bounds
Bhns never alluded 10 such matters took tho tone
Of the student and vlrtuoso; but Frenclman whose
tastes were the nature has assured me tnat
the worst excuses OF black have been per
petrated large and lofty hall which Is lined With
IN shelves Of his books and the Of his museum
pacres appearance was enough to show his deep
interest in these psychic matters was Intellectual rather
t than spiritual There trace Of asceticsm upon
his heavy face but much mental force In his
huge done-lke skull which curved upward from among
8hs THINNING locks snowpeak above It's fringe OF
AZ trees His Knowledge greater than his wisdom,
md his powers far superior to his character The
small bright eyes buried deeply in his hashy face.
twinkled With Intelligence and undated curiosity
Of life they thieves Of sens'lallst and an
egotst Enough Of the man, for he is dead now poor
devil dead the time that he made sure that nc
had last discovered the elixir OF life II Is not WIN
n Ills complex character that have to deal but with
liz Very strange and inexplcable Incident which had
XIII rise in my him In tho early spring Of tho
as II had known Dacre In England for my researches
nthe Assyrian Room Of the British Museum had been
establish mystic and esoteric meaning In the 13aby-
lcnan tablets, and this community Of Interests r,e
brought together Chance remarks had led TO daily
II Conversation that to something verGlng upon
Parts would call upon him AZ the time when was
able fulfil compact was living IN cottage at
venlent he asked me to spend night In his house.
s = have only that one spare couch said nc, point
ing broad sofa in his large salon. II hope that you
n viii manage to be comfortable there
8 It was n singular bedroom, with Its high walls Of
furniture to a bookworm like myself and there is
pleasant to my nostrs as that faint. subtle
reek which comes from ancient book assured him
that desire charming chamber and no
more congenial surroundings G Gst
tional they are costly said he, looking round
at his shelves. Il have expended nearly quarter Of
yuu Books, weapons, gems, carvings, tapestries, i'm
fnges-there is hardly thing here which has not It's
history. and 1t is generally one worth telling
He seate9a he spoke at one side OF the open
fireplace and q me other His reading table was
with a very vivid circle Of golden light half-roled
pampscst lay in the centre and around It were many
funnel, is used for filling wine casks It ap-
peared of black wood and to be trimmed with
837'That curious thing, remarked. What is the
history hat?' &
had occasion to myself would give good deal
to know. Take II in your hands and examine IT,
tdI did so. found that whit had imagined TO be
wood In reality leather though had dried y
an ho asan we full To ss m
X tho wide end, but the narrow was also tipped with
metal.
26.What do you make of t." asked Dacrc.
should imagine that IT belonged to some yinner or
England leathern drinking ngons of tho seventeenth
century-blucs jacks" they were caed-whch were
q OF the color and hardness as this filler"
II say the date would BIO about the same, said
Dacre. 'nnd no doubt also 1t was used for filling
vessel with liquid If suspicious correct, how
ever, it queer vntner who used 1t. and
singular cask which was hed DO You observe nothing
strange tho spout end of the funnel?"
As held 1t to the light observed that at spot
N some five inches above the brass tip the neck
OF the leather all haggled and scored II
some one round with blunt knife, Only
that point was mere any ongheMng or the dead'
%l black surface.
m .'some one has tried to cut OF the neck"
g4F3,'Nould you call 1t cut?"
6Sfta'It is and lRcclrlted 1t taken
IA strength leave these marks such tough material
\ whatever the instrument have been But what
Is DO you think OF 1t? tell that know than
ID sou say"
Dacre smiled and his little twinsled with knowl-
&& edge,
"Iave you included the psychology Of dreams among
IA your learned studics?' he asked.
{9tg'I did not even know that there such psy-
ckology"
$48"My dear sir. that above the gem is filled
with Volumes from Albertus Magnus onward which
deal with other subject. It is science In itself"
ga science of charatans"
"The charlaan is always the pioneer From the asrol-
A oyer came astronomer, from alchemist tho
chemist, the mesmeris the experimental psychoo-
gtst The sueck OF yesterday is tho professor of to-
morrow. Even such subtle and elusive things
that time the researches OF friends In tho
book shef yonder will longer be the of
tha mystic, but the foundations OF science"
ts sHupposng 30 what has the dreams
TO do with q large black brass trimmed fupnel?"
% II win tell you. You know that have agent who
Is always the lookout for rares and curosities
upon the oua!s VINO had acquired old rub
btsh found In cupboard In an ancient house at the
back OF the Rue Mathurn, In the Quarter Latin The
dining q this old house ~ decorated with coat