The Mystics

loss, she took one involuntary step towards the door; but almost as the step was taken, her anger, her shatter

t, as her angry sobs died out and the violence of her grief subsided,

er lips began to quiver; but fate had decided against further tears. Before her grief had gathered force, the

d turned to confront Norris, standing at a discreet

r. "I told him you were not at home; but he said he would wai

and annoyance, Enid put her

out-ill-anything you can think of-" But her voice suddenly faltered, and her words ended in a gasp, as she glance

d the room; and without hesitati

t seem unpardonable; but the occasion is wit

ed greeting, Enid had mastered her agitation. Sh

f you have an

erve the coldness of the granted permission. He waited with ill-conceal

cried, "you see before

genuine agitation-his speech was charged with violent feeling. To Enid, watching him with surprise and curiosity, it was patent at a glance that some circumstance, strange in

involuntarily. "What is i

t of words that rushed to his lips; then, at last, as his ton

cried. "We have been duped-deceived

the words, faintly. "What do

that we have called Prophet-this man that we have bent the knee to

voice was indistin

impostor! An im

ing the street outside, filling the whole world. As she had done in the Prophet's presence, she raised he

cried, again. "A l

dropped fr

p!" she cr

as beyon

ained. You have been the unwitting in

She stared at him with w

signs. It was the power of the Unseen that guided me on the day I entered the Presence Room and found you alone with him." He spoke hurriedly

in the fact that he-a Prophet of Sublime Mysteries-should hold your hand, as any man of

! No!" she said, sharply. "I-saw n

hew's fac

I saw." He paused and passed his handkerchief over his face. Co

m that hour the

os

ve watched him-we, the Six. We have watched him and his friend-the dog who has dared to desecrate the name of Precursor. We ha

ou learned?" There was a strange f

ill attend as usual in the Place; they will fool us as they have fooled us before; and then, when the house is quiet-when the Six

a swift movement

f silence, and then again the unpl

u say is right. There will be no plunder. The

ted by their feverish brightness; and in the midst of her silent rega

"but we also have laid ours. And even we cannot reckon upon the consequences. T

e pupils of her eyes d

en her fear found voice. "What do you mea

met her quest

ctiveness, "that at the Gathering to

tical, unstable faces of the congregation, the six Arch-Mystics-outraged, incensed, unrelenting; and in their midst the Prophet, tall and grave and masterful, as she had seen him a hundred t

id, incredulously. "You would trap him? One man ag

face flamed t

you know what you are sa

epithet; the next she raised her head

use that word. You hav

liable as the eyes, and we have heard

t acts." In her deep agitation, she

it till the Assembly is over, and then accuse him. If you can pr

his reward? Oh no! We will run no risks. The trap has closed. No one will gain access to him to-night until the hour of the Gathering has arrived. It will be

sked, unsteadily. "Why have you com

; and when her voice quivered, a spasm of emotio

that question

wav

murmured. "Wh

e man loves you. Because he stole out of the house to-day-and c

ank away

?" she said, in a co

tantly, his p

r. The thief or the spy." His voice rose, his face darkened. The demon of

suspicions, but I wanted proof. On the day I surprised you with him, I

nced o

in this matter than his love

ed him. She was quivering violen

te right. There is more in this matter than hi

t. With an agitation equal to Bale-Corphew's own

nt appeared sh

a quiet voice, "show