The Mystics

udinous inhabitants of London whom business or pleasure carried to that division of Brompton known as Hel

ngs ended. The basement sent forth no glow of warmth and comfort, as did the neighboring basements; the ground-floor windows permitted no ray of mellow light to slip through the chinks of shutter or curtain. Fr

e people, who differed widely in outward characteristics, was marked by a peculiar fundamental similarity. They all entered the quiet precincts of the Crescent with the same air of subdued excitement; each moved softly and si

race, and a lady descended from it. As she handed his fare to the cabman, her face and figure were plainly visible in the light of the street-lamps. The former

ge's Terrace with an appearance of haste, and entering H

nto the house as she reached the door; but, acting with appa

, the slide was drawn back and a beam of light came through the grating, to be

demanded a s

mer lifted

a low and slightly tremulous voice; and a moment l

ithin. The large hall, lighted by tall lamps, was covered with a thick black carpet into which the feet sank noiselessly, and the walls and ceiling were draped

upon the atmosphere. Women with flushed faces and men with feverishly bright eyes hurried to and fro in an irrepressible, aimless agitation. A blending

s she did so, a remarkable-looking and massively built man who was standing in the hall, d

full, emotional voice. "I looked for you among

till tinged with agitation; the pupi

issing." He continued to hold her hand, looking into her face with his prominent dark

usiasm; and freeing her fingers, he lifted up his right hand. "'He shall walk into your midst-and sit

h me into the Place. The Gathering is all but assembled." Laying his large hand upon her arm, he led her forward unres

r, and the man-still laboring under some

may the Hope of the Universe be fulfilled!" Lift

ns of marble alternately black and white; overhead swung a huge octagonal symbol in jewelled and polis

is vast room; and from the crouched or upright

rced a way between the closely packed figures. But, hal

pered. "Not any nearer,

arrow aisle. Reaching the railed-in space about which the incense hung, he paused in his own turn and moti

d the suggestion. "No! No!" she murmured. "

whispered, close to her ear. "No, I want you to be here. Whe

ed obediently into the appointed seat, h

oked back at the rows of bowed or erect figures, and forward at the space about which the incense clung like a filmy veil. At a first glance this veil

mbolic design on which rested a white leather book, worn yellow at the edges. Over this book a man was poring, apparently unconscious of the active interest he evoked. He was short an

s moved unceasingly in rapid, inaudible speech. At last, with a sudden dramatic ges

Empty world!" he

oke from the people, already wrought to nervous tension. Some among them rose t

tain at the doorway of the chapel was swung sharply back; and the tall

unconscious of the many eyes and tongues from which frightened glances and fri

s if in benediction towards the red-haired man who st

lance at the spot where the tall figure in the white serge robe stood motionless and impressive. Then the whole concourse of devotees stirr

he two central figures remained rigid; then at last the

it seemed that he could scarcely command his gestures. After a protracted moment of struggle, however, he appeared to regain his self-c

wer of the Mighty. For fifteen days have I spoken-telling you that which was at hand. And now, behold I am justifie

never been permitted to look upon? Have I not foretold the coming of this man-the garments he would wear-the Sign upon his perso

ment of justification! It is not meet that the Great One should plead for recognition; it is for

and in this curious and impressive lull the white-ro

werful figure, a strong and determined face; his bare head was covered with close-cut black hair; his ha

veying the faces clustered before

Scitsym-" he pointed to the white book upon the lectern-"it is written that, by a certain secret Sign, the Arch-Mystics will recognize Him for whom they have waited. I call upon the Arch-Mysti

and shrinking, as all instinctively drew back before the sight that confronted them. Across the Pro

emor of emotion had subsided. Then his glan

k. But scarcely had his glance rested upon her than the heavily built man who sat beside her, rose agitatedly and stepped forward to the sanctuary. For a space he stood staring at the s

articulately. "Brethren

het remained

er five?" he asked

e, fiery glance, and swarthy complexion of the nomadic races of southeastern Europe; the third was a small, frail man of fifty, with a nervous system painfully in advance of his physical strength; while the fourth was a true mystic-impassio

on the old man who slowly approached with feeble steps, bent back, and anxious, sightless eyes. But

cars; then, drawing the Prophet down, he touched his face. For a long moment of suspense his fingers lin

ed, in a loud, unsteady voice. "He s

of people swayed forward hysterically. Men p

eat wildly. With a quiet movement he drew his robe across his breast, hiding the unsightly scars, but othe

hem, Master

re he raised his head, his eyes confronting the

in, in his deep voice. "

onse was

n receded as the tide recedes; and the old Arch-Councillor steppe

ll woman, who until that moment had remai

nfinitesimal space at the foot of the throne; she saw him calmly and decisively mount the steps of the dais and seat himself in