The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1915-12-30
P x.
THE WHITE PRIEST OF silva.

The adept was an impressive figure
as he stood there with the sun behind
him, throwing a yellow nimbus around
his head. The robe he wore was of q
rich purple, and gave an added effect
of height and dignity to a figure al
ready tall. His hair was dark and
lcrinkled like wind swept water, his
complexion dark, but with an under
blush Of red In the cheeks. His lips
were scarlet and his eye coal black
and Of an ~arresting brilliance. The
effect he gave was of trans
cendent energy and magnetism, nor
did he show the slightest fatigue from
his long vigil.
Els eyes swept our faces. as we
stood crowded there in the doorway.
He did not seem surprised. II there
was an expression in his face except
courteous inquiry, it was one of care
fully suppressed amusement.
Enter, friends" he repeated. What
is it you deSire?"
His voice was rich n deep, and he
spoke with a peculiar information, but
without accent. It was something OF a
English speech coming from his lips,
for they seemed formed to utter
prophecies in unknown tongues.
Goldberger took n step into the
room, and then stopped abruptly. Fol-
lowing his eyes, / saw that the cobra
1ICL8 Gb1oo 49, ~ AAA
was regarding us steadily and kissing
slightly. The adept smiled as he saw
us shrink back.
do not fear" he said. Come, Toto"
and stepping across h ROOM, he lifted
the cobra in one hand and held 1t a
the distended hood. The snake curled
itself about his arm and seemed to
cuddle to him, but it kept it's eyes fixed
on us. / could not out smile at the in
congruity Of it's name. Toto was well
enough for a French poodle, but for a
cobra!
After a moment. the adept lifted the
lid of a round basket which stood on
the floor near the divan, dropped the
snake gently into 1t, and fastened
down the lid. Then he clapped his
hands softly, and an instant later the
curtains at the rea of the room
parted and q strange figure appeared
| between them.
1t was the figure Of a man, not over
five feet tall n very thin. He was
almost as dark as a full blooded negro,
and the white burnoose which was
thrown about his shoulders n covered
him to juss below the hips, made him
look even darker. His legs We're bare
and seemed to be nothing but skin and
bone. The flat nosed face. with it's
full lips and prominent eyes, reminded
me of an idol 1 had seen pictured
somewhere.
The newcomer bowed low before the
adept, and, at a sign from him, picked
up Toto's basket and disappeared with
it through the curtains. He had not
even glanced in our direction. The
adept turned back to us.
Now, friends" he said, will you not
enter?"
Goldberger led the way into the room
and stopped to look about it. The walls
were hung with black velvet, so ar
ranged tina windows and doors could
be covered also, and the room was abb
solutely devoid of furniture, ave for a
low, circular divan in the center OF
which stood the crystal sphere, sup
ported, as I say now, by a slender
pedestal.
II have a few questions to ask you"
begas Goldberger at last, in a voice
deterential despite himself.
Proceed, sir" said the adept, court
eously.
DO you now that Mr.. Vaughan is
dead?"
The adept made a little deprecating
gesture.
mot dead" he protested. "A
man does not die. His soul re-
joins the over-seal, that is all.
Yes, I know that at midnight the soul
Of my pupil passed over"
How did 0 learn that?" Goldberg
or demanded