The Mystics

s and heather of the cleft. Then, as he continued to stand with widely opened eyes, another surprise was sprung upon him. The door of the cha

iling of this chamber depended an octagonal symbol in polished metal, and close by the door eight wax candles flickered slightly in the faint stir of air. But his astonished and inquisitive eyes had barely become aware of these details when Andrew Henderson turned towards the circular sconce in which th

surprised in an instant of exaltation, was pleased to put his own narrow, superstitious construction on the boy's appearance. Laboring under an abnor

ed first, talking all the time in a jargon addressed partly to the boy, partly to himself, in which mysticism was oddly tangled with a confusi

into the morose absorption that marked his daily life; but as he turned to mount the stairs

said. "You make

awake for many hours, partly thrilled and partly elated by

d man's occasional fanatic outbursts-that the strange chapel with its metal symbol and marble floor was not the outcome of a private whim, but the manifestation of a creed that boasted a small but ardent band of followers. He had learned that-to themselves, if not to the world-these devotees were known as the Mystics; that their articles of faith were preserved in a secret book designated the Scitsym, which passe

his own hands in the tall iron safe that stood in Henderson's study. But that annual excitement had lessened with time. Even a madman may become monotonous when we live with him, day in, day out, for seven long years; and gradually the attitude of John's mind had changed with the passage of time. The sense of adventure and triumphant enterprise had steadily receded; the knowledge that he was working out a slow, distasteful probation had advanced. Reluctantly and yet definitely he had realized that his position was not to come and conquer, but to watch and

all but empty! He stood

anced at the clock; then moved to the bed, taking a bottle

e, uncle!" he said, in

man did not

s time the vacant expression faded slowly from the larg

ly measured out a dose of medicine, and, stooping ov

he seemed suddenly to realize the position, to comprehend that it was his nephew who leaned over him. With a

!" he said, sha

a steady hand he balanced the spo

," he said, quietly. "We'll

xpected strength he raised one thin hand and pushed

e Book unguarded?" Again his lips twitched and a feverish brig

may be delayed. It may be the ordination of the Unknown that I should Pass before he arrives. If this is so, I want you to guard the Book-but also I want you to guard my dead body. Let no one tou

him back upon the pillows, and

fort the old man li

t you may be alone with the inviolable Scitsym? 'The Hope of the Universe, by whose Light alone the One

er man attempte

aid, gravely. "I am here. You c

tedly perturbed; his pale eyes stil

have trusted you-and that your fidelity has been rewarded. But this is another matter. Can I trust you in this?

ooked-for justification of his own secret, treasured hope; the tacit acknowledgment of kinship and obligation made now by Andrew Henderson after seven unfruitful ye

ended from the chain about his neck. And as he held them up, John saw by the glow of the lamp that one

ed these objects to the light, his

y-nor anything on my body-till the Arch-Councillor comes! Swear, as you hope for your own happiness

ng of self-reproach and gratitude towards this half-crazy man so near his end, h

as the words escaped him, the chain slipped from old Henderson's

chless, unable to realize that the huddled figure still warm in his arms was in reality the vessel of clay from which a spirit had escaped. The

his body to be touched until the arrival of a member of his religious sect. The old woman accepted the explanation with the apathy common to those who have outlived emotion; and with a series of no

one again swept over him, and with the desire a corresponding impatience of her slow and measured movements. Chide himself as he might for his impatience, curb his nat

der swept from the hearth; then as the old woman slowly crossed the room and stepped out

ad body-and with it the dead years and the long probation-belonged to the past;

ere all in order; the ink was as yet scarcely rusted on the pens; the key protruded from the lock of the private drawer. With a tremor of excitement John extended his

cene just enacted-even Andrew Henderson and his mystical creed-were blotted from his mind by a wonderful rose-colored mist of hope, from which one face looked out-th

nvelope and tore it open. With lightning speed his eyes skimmed the oddly written lines. T

ance of my brother's ingratitude to our father, and have placed the sum of ￡500 to your credit in the Cleef branch of the Consolidated Bank. I trust it may assist you to commence an industrious career. For the rest, it may interest yo

which my property was made over to the Mystics some five years ago-together with a doctor's certificate as to my mental soundnes

hopes for your

r un

w Hend

a dark wave; the rose-colored mist that had floated before his vision flamed suddenly to red; the same implacable rage that, years ago, had impelled his grandfather to disinherit his favorite son swelled in his heart. All ideas, all

re than a minute he stared at it helplessly; then a new thought shot across his mind and his lips drew together in a thin, h

disappointment and rage was something before which mere human horror was swept aside. With another rapid movement, he stooped over the bed and unclasped the thin gold chain that hung round the dead man's n

he fireless grate stared at him coldly, and against the whitewashed wall the heavy iron safe stood out like an accentuated blot of shadow. Impelled by his one dominating idea, he

er were worn yellow with time and use, and from the centre of the binding gleamed the familiar octagonal symbol exquisitely wrought in gold and jewels.

object in his hand. He only knew, by the medium of instinct, that through it he could strike a blow at the unc

is agitated mind it seemed but just that, whatever his vengeance, it sh

natural process of inspiration, fell upon the fire that glowed and crackled in the grate; and with a sharp, inart

a, seizing the house in its fierce embrace; and the red tongues of f

f of leaves into his fingers. Then, involuntarily, he paused, as the bold

olition he read

Unknown. By the Scitsym-from which none but the Chosen may read-will ye know Him; and, knowing Him, ye will bow dow

ghts and checked his hand. By an odd psychological process his rage became chilled, his mind veered from its p

e!" he repeated, mechanically,