The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-02-11
BOOK 4.
1.-THE MYSTERY OF iNtQUiTY DOTH
ALREADY Work.
CHAPTER II.-Continued.

CHAPTER ll.-COntlnued.
God alone knows the outcome OF
tho trend Of these antic1ristian influ-
cnces, Of which, I fear, schuabe Is the
head. The Fathers are clear enough on
the subject, and the learned men OF
medieval times also. Let me read to
you"
He got up from his armchair, glad, 1t
seemed, at opportunity OF change and
movement. and went to the book-shelves
which lined the wall. His scholars in
terest wns aroused. his magnificent read
Ing and knowledge of Christian history
and ibrlefs engaged and active.
He dipped into book after book, rea1-
ing extracts from them here and there.
Listen. Marchantius says the ship OF
the Church will sink and be lost in the
foam OF intidclity. and be hidden in the
blackness OF that storm OF desoiatton
which shall arise at the coming OF Anti
christ. 'The sun shall be darkened and
the stars shall fall from heaven He
means, of course. the gun OF faith, and
that the stars. the great ecclesiastical
dignltaries, shall fall into apostasy. But
lie goes on to say, tht church will re-
moirt unwrecked, she will weather the
storm and come forth beautiful as the
moon, terrible as an army with banners"
His voice was eager and excited, his
face WAS all alight with the scholars
eagerness, as he took down book after
Look with unerfing instinct to illustrate
his remarks.
Opinions rs to the nature and person.
ahty OF AntIchrist nave been very var
fed, he continued. Some of the very
enriy Christian writer's say he will be O
devil in II phantom body, others that he
VIII be an lncarnate demon. true man
md true devil. in fearful and diaboiic
parody OF the Incarnation OF our Lord.
There is "A third view also. That Is that
he VIII be merely a desperately wicked
man, acting upon diabolic inspirations,
Just AS the saints act upon Divine in
spirn tions.
"J.istei to ST. John Daniasccne upon
tile subject. He Is very express. Not 1s
Christ assumed humanity, SO will the
Devil become human; but the Man will
receive all the inspiration Of Satan, and
viii suffer the Devil to take up his abode
within him"
Ciortre. who was listening with extreme
attention, made a short. sharp exclarna-
ton at this last quotation.
lie had risen from his seat and stood
by the mantel-shelf, leaning his elbow
upon II.
one OF the ornaments of the mantel
WAS a head of Christ, photographed on
china. from Murillo. and held in a large
frame like n photograph frame.
Just as the vicar had finished reading
there came n sudden knock at the doo-.
ii started Gortre. and he moved sud
denly. His elbow slid along the marble
or the shelf and disiodged the picture.
which fell upon the floor and was broken
into "a hundred pieces, crashing loudly
upon the fender.
Srhe housemaid. who had knocked.
stood for a moment looking with dis
may upon the b%reakage. Then she turned
10 the vicar.
air. schuabc from Mount Prospect 20
sec YOU, SIR she said. I've shown him
into the drawing-room.o
CHAPTER III
.I THINK HE IS a GOOD MAN"
The servant had turned on the lights
IN the drawing room. where a low fire
still glo~ed red upon the hearth. and
left Constantine Schun5be alone to await
tho wears arrival.
on either side OF the fireplace Were
heavy hangings of emerald and copper
woven stuff. n present to Helena from
an uncle, who had bought them at
Benaros, Schuabc stood motiotiess be-
fore this background.
Tho man was all, above the middle
height, and the heavy coat Of fur which
he was wearing increased the impress
sion of proportioned size. of massive
HeSS, WHICH WAS part OIL IIS peTsoIdllla-
His hair was a very dark red, smooth
and abundant. of that peculiar colour
which is the last to show the greyness
of advancing age. His features were
Scmistic, but without n trace OF that full
ness. and sometimes, 7coarseness. which
often marks the JEW who has come 10
the middle period of life. The eyes
were large and black. hut without ami
nation. in ordinary use and wont. They
did not light up as he spoke. but yet
the expression was not yelled or OBJ
secured. They were colby. terribly
aware, With something OF the sinister
and untroubled regard one sees in II
reptiles eyes.
The jaw. which dominated the face
and completed its remarkable ensemble.
was very massive. reminding people of
steel covered Will olire-coloured parct-
ment. Handsome was hardly the word
which fitted him. lie was n strikingly
handsome mani but that. like "distInc-
ton" was only one of the qualities
which made up his personality. Force,
power-the relentless and conscious
power suggested by some great marine
engine-surrounded him in an almost in
describable way. They were like exhala-
lions. Most people. with the casual
view. called him merely indomitable, but
there We're Others who thought they
read deeper and saw something -evil and
hloaASliOuS dDOul tic uNdIl, pOWerleSS 10
give an exact and definite reason for
the Impression. and dubious of voicing
It.
Nevertheless, now and again, two or
three people would speak OF him to each
other without reserve. and on such oc-
cas'ons they generally agreed to this
fcelng of the sinister and malign, in
muchsthe same manner as the vicar and
MS curate had been agreeing but half
an hour before his arrival at the house.
The door opened with a quick click OF
the handle, and the vicar entered with
something OF suddenness. One might
almost have supposed that he had
fingered. hesltant, In the hall, and sud
denly neryed himself for this encounter.
MT. BVars advanced to a the hand
OF his visitor. Beside the big man he.
seemed shrunken and a little Intellectual.
He was slightly nervous in his manner
also. for Bnsll's impassioned ana terror,
ridden words still rang In his ears and
e kO1 kkhhir u01 " u,}fJ, & i.,,af aE E9@H&TEN4F EL8a