The Washburn times. [volume] (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976, 1917-10-25

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through some delicate adjustment of
weight, closed after us.
l was not given to exhibitions of
surprise or unguarded utterances in
the presence Of the imperturbable
Marvel. What we now faced, how
ever, astounded me, and noted plain
ly that he shared my emotions. 1t was
like step from sQualor into splen-
dor, from gaunt barrennesS into the
CLEAN of oriental grandeur. We had
entered O large room heavily hung
with tapestries, even to the ceiling,
that must have cost fortune. A
heavy velvet carpet made our foot
steps noiseless. In the center of the
room was raised dais. In front of
this burned varicolored lamp cover
| ed with the precious metals and rare
and costly jewels. A globe giving out
soft girasole glow flooded the apart
ment with a mystic radiance, while
| the incense-laden air enhanced a GER
tain dreamy effect that lulled the SEN
ses and suggested the rare inner tenn
| pie of some shrine Of the Indus.
The dais supported a throne, backed
by a wondrous statue carved from
ebony or lignumvitae, representing a
| goddess perfect of frame and feature.
All around the room were cushions
| fashioned of rose silk, and before each
was a prayer rug.
"a translation to the antipodes," re-
ms rlyn 60 oil
the cautious subjugation of his tone,
traced the faint echo of scott. Let
us explore to practical end. This
layout had no legitimate promise in
the heart of an American city. 1t is
here with purpOSe-we will find out
| what.
With the audacity of a man not un-
used to penetrating where he chose
when in the line of duty, my friend
led the way across the apartment and
pushed aside the heavy drapery at
it's far end. An antecorridor contin-
ued the suite. 1t was as deliberately
furnished as the main apartment we
had just traversed. No denizen of the
strange place had as yet come into evil
dence, but as we entered third apart
ment we came upon a man hastily
rearranging disOrdered attire.
Judging from his flustered manner
and the full sleeved silken robe he
wore, he was the owner of the pair
of arms that we had seen thrust back
the girl from the window. Then, too,
at his waist the man had stuffed into
his belt the fluffy veil or scarf which
he had used as gag to silence that
heart-stricken cry: ooh, some one
come into this housed"
The man was dark as the ebony
statue in the first room we had en-
tered. Instantly, as the shadow of
Marvel fell across his range of vision,
he was erect, his arms folded, his at
titude brash and challenging. My
friend had kept straight on as if to
pass the draperies behind this arbi-
trary sentinel. Before the apparent
entrance to another apartment the lat
ter sprang, his arm outstretched.
"Banal-banal !" he croaked shrilly
mop
~ say, yes" observer Marvel con-
temptuously, and he placed his hand
across the arm of the man and caught
at the rich hanging. The entire
drapery was suddenly wrenched out
of his reach, the servitor fell to hands
and knees muttering some cabalistic
jargon and then crept out of the way,
and we Saw-NirvaSa.
We did not know her then by that
name; it came later; but was awed
and breathless as, like some splendid
apparition, being in the full bloom
of lovely womanliness faced US. She
stood near a gilt stand on which rest
| ed a crystal globe. She was peerless
in her dress purely oriental, a SEEM
ing Indian princess. Slightly dark.
| her face had an indeScribable glow,
rather that of the richest rose than
| delicate and clear. Her eyes were
! deep set, but sparkling, enthralling,
| inviting.
She smiled upon us, divesting her
welcome Of every tinge of awkward
ness, her attributes of any effort to
impress and mystify. One flashing
glance froom those intelligent eyes
seemed to envelope and consume us.
And then, to my sublime establishment
she said, with steely self poise and
without shade of hesitation:
"Mr. Resilius Marvel, I am hon.
ored."
If she had not made the recognition,
less speedily would my expert friend
have pierced the travesty. If she
knew him it was no necromatic pow
er-she must be of the class who make
it a study to know those whom they
select as prey, those whom they fear
as masters.
1 had noticed that Marvel's compre-
hensive glance had swept the room
keenly. His eyes were most attract.
ed by a chart behind the gilt table
1t was q complex chart with tracings
| of suns, moons, crescentS and stars
upon its surface, heiroglyphic charac.
tiers and tables.
"a life chart" observed Marvel, fix
ing his glance now on the oracle OF
the place.
"a seance chamber of Mahamat," re
piled the lady promptly, but dimmins
any boastfulness by maintaining that
even, complacent smile.
"Ah, yes" remarked Marvel-"clair
voyant"
Mystic" corrected my lady.
"You are better informed than the
j notice. then" retorted nv friend in