Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1915-12-30
CHAPTER X
THE WHITE PRIEST OF silva.

The adept was al impressive figure,
as he stood there with the sun behind
him, throwing a yellow nimbus around
his head. The rob he wore was of a
rich purple, and gave an added effect
of height and dignity to a figure al
ready tall. His hair was dark and
crinkled like wind swept water, his
complexion dark, but with an under
blush of red in he checks. His lips
We're scarlet and his eyes coal black
and of an arresting brilliance. The
whole effect he gave was of trans
cendent energy and magnetism, nor
did he show the slightest fatigue from
his long vigil.
stood crowded there in the doorway.
! He did not seem surprised. If there
was an expression in his a except
courteous inquiry, it was one Of care.
fully suppressed amusement.
Enter, friends he repeated. What
is it you desire?"
His voice was rich and deep, and he
spoke with a peculiar intonation, but
without accent. 1t was something of a
shock to hear the ordinary words of
English speech coming from his lips,
! for they seemed formed to utter
prophecies in unknown tongues.
Goldberger took one step into the
room, and then stopped abruptly. Fol-
lowing his eyes, i saw that the cobra
! had also awakened from its trance, and
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 the ROOM, he lifted
the cobra in one HAND and held it a
moment close to him, gently stroking
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 but smile at the in
congruity of it's name. Toto was we'll
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 it, and fastened
down the lid. Then he clapped his
hands softly, and an instant later the
curtains at the rear of the room
parted and a 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 urnoose which was
thrown about his shoulders and covered
him to just below the hips, mad him
look even darker. His legs We're bare
and seemed to be nothing but skin and
bone. The fla nosed face, with it's
full lips and prominent eyes, reminded
me of an lido l 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?"
Goldherger led the way into the room
and stopped to look about it. The walls
were hung with black velvet, so ar
ranged that windows and doors could
be covered also, and the room was abb
solutely devoid of furniture, ave for a
low, circular divan in the enter of
which stood the crystal sphere, sup
ported. as / saw now, by a slender
pedestal.
Il have a few questions to ask YOU"
began Goldberger at last, in a voice
deferential despite himself.
Proceed, sir" said the adept, ourt-
eously.
DO you know that Mr.. Vaughan is
dead?"
The adept made a little deprecating
gesture.
Not dead" he protested. "a
man does not die. His soul re-
joins the Over-seal, that is all.
Yes, ] know that at midnight the soul
of my pupil passed over"
How did you learn that Goldberg
er demanded.