Evening star., 1919-11-30

"Who discovered herr"
mo one discovered her; she will
never be discovered! He has buried
her body in some secret spot in the
desert"
"Then how in heavens name did
You learn Of her murder?" I asked.
You will think that I am mad
Kernaby," he said; "but I must tell
you'll must tell some one. could see
that you were incredulous when I
spoke to you of reincarnation, but I
was right. Kernaby, was right!
Either that or my reason Is deserting
me-"
Tonight" he continued, "as I sat
looking at my unfinished picture and
trying to imagine what could have
become OF Yasmina the mummy-the
mummy of the priestess-spoke to
mel"
I slowly sank back into my chair.
was now assured that Felix Breton
had formed n sudden and intense in
fatuation for Yasmina and that her
mysterious disappearance had de-
ranged his sensitive mind. Words
failed me; l could think Of nothing
to say; and bending toward me his
haggard face:
ut whispered to mo-" he said, 'in
her voice-in my own language,
French. as 1 have taught it to her;
just few imperfect words. but suf-
ficient to convey to me the story OF
the tragedy. Kernaby. what does it
mean? Is it possible that her spirit
released from the body of Yasmina,
has returned to that which FIRM
II believe 1t formerly inhabited?" I" II"
In the morning. however, he seemed
moro composed, but the wild look
still fingered In his eyes and 1 could
see that the strange obsession had
secured firm hold upon him. He
discussed the matter quite calmly
during breakfast. and invited me to
visit the scene of this supernatural
happening.
There was nothing abnormal in the
appearance of the place. but ex-
amined the mummy and the mummy
case with a new curiosity; for IL
Felix Breton was not mad (and this
was point upon which recognized
my Incompetence to decided the pnan-
tom voice was clearly the product of
some trick. However, l was unable
to discover anything to account for
it. The sarcophagus stood against
the outer wall of the studio and near
to a large lattice window before
which was draped n heavy tapestry
curtain for the purpose of exclud-
ing undesirable light upon that side
of the models throne. There was no
to large lattice window, before
was fully thirty feet from the street
below; therefore, unless some one
had been hiding in the window re-
cess beside the sarcophagus. trick
cry appeared to be out OF the ques-
tion. Turning to Breton, who was
watching me haggardly-
"You searched the recess last
night?" l said.
Il did--immediately. There was no
one there. There was no one any
where In the studio: and when I
looked out OF the open window the
street below was deserted from end
to end.
II must go back. Kernaby," he said.
ut seems like desertion. base and
cowardly."
Breton did not join me at dinner
that evening, as we had arranged
that he should do. and toward the
hour of 10 o'clock. growing moro
and more uneasy on his bohalf. I set
out for the studio. half hoping that
l should meet him.
A modern door had been fitted to
the studio: and although this door
was also unfastened, 1 raped loud
ly, but. receiving no answer, entered
the studio. 1t was empty. The lamp
was lighted. as l had observed from
below. and q faint aroma Of Turkish
tobacco smoke hung in the air.
Clearly, Breton had left but. few
moments earlier; and I judged it
probable that he would bo returning
very shortly, for had he set ou' s-sr
Shepheards he would not have left
his door unlocked. and in any event
I should have met him on tho way.
Therefore. having glanced into the
inner room. which. latterly. Breton
had been using as a bedroom. sat
down on the divan and prepared to
await his return.
, How long I had sat there cannot
<say exactly; possibly for ten minutes
OK n quarter of an hour; when. sud-