The San Francisco call., 1906-08-05
OF Amen =Ra

ly by this time to be taken home in a
cab, and 1 parted with them in the
great courtyard, where slow, heavy
drops of rain were beginning to fall
from the sullen sky. having accepted
Captain Falcons invitation to call and
see them. was glad he had aslSe y me,
though 1 did little visiting as rule.
On my way home and sitting in the
twilight. looking out on the dull gray
street where I lived, 1 tried to reason
out satisfactory explanation of what
l had seen and heard that night, but
not one completely satisfied me. Grant
ed that the girl was abnormal, hysteri-
cal, overwrought, fine, sensitive crea-
ture who throbbed in answer to many
unknown chords in the universe, still
that did not altogether explain what
had happened. Having assisted her
father in his daring studies, she could
not be easily alarmed. Remembering
how a great modern theosophist and
mystic, who yet had not half the
power of the ancient Egyptians, had
been able to mesmerixe by her portrait
alone those who gazed in her eyes, 1
was not rash enough to think-putting
aside my own experience-that Mrs
FALCON might not have been Influenced
by the picture of the royal priestess
about whom SO little information could
be obtained; even her name was a
mystery. All that was known of her
was that she had lived in the mighty
city Of Thebes about 1900 years before
Christ and that she had served Amen
Ra, the king of all the gods"
What was her history" I mused.
Where does tho body lie of which we
have only the the cofin-lid? What
marvellous power was hers that has
lasted through the ages, and why
should 1T have struck this innocent
glrl?" These were all questions 1 puz-
zled over in vain
In the hope of learning something
more. 1 called on Mrs. Falcon the next
day to inquire after her health She
and her husband were both at home.
and spent some little time with them
Mrs. Falcon looked white and shaken
but she was ready to make light of
what she called her "foolishness" of
last night. though could see she shrank
from talking about it. so it was dis
missed in a few words. However 1
found an opportunity of putting the
question to her husband to which 1 was
most anxious to have an answer when
he Came out into the hall with me.
Did Mrs. Falcon ever act as a me-
dunn for her father?" l asked
II believe. so." he answered, little
shortly. 1t was evident the subject was
distasteful to him.
1 slowly put on my gloves.
IF 1 were you / would not stop in
London; L should go right away into
the country. am sure it would be
better for Mrs. Falcon.
But / thought 1 told you that my
leave IS nearly up and I shall be going
back to India he said. rather i'm
patiently. las my wife accompanies
me, we have good deal to do, so 1t
would be impossible to leave town, even
if it were worth while for such short
time"
1 could not urgs the matter further,
so I said good-by, wondering what the
end of 1t would be. For a week moth
ing happened as far as was concerned.
Then late one afternoon 1 found Mrs.
Falcon alone In the Egyptian room,
standing before ths case containing the
fatal portrait. was shocked and
alarmed.
do you think 1t was wise of you to
come here?" ! asked when we had
why not?" dehantly; but for all her
defiance I did not like the look In her
face. Because I was silly enough to
be frightened OF her once, is that any
reason why l should be again"
els 1t worth while to run the risk?"
I answered gravely. "As your fathers
daughter I need hardly tell you that
magnetic force can be passed on to
ins animate objects. which then have tho