\"TherewereSimlareasons，certainly，\"hereplied。\"ButyouthinkIcamehereforsolitude!SOLITUDE!\"herepeated，withalaugh。
\"Why，Iholddailyconversationswithanyblessedthinginthishouse，fromtheverandatothechimney—stack，withanystickoffurniture，fromthefootstooltothetowel—horse。IgetmoreoutofitthanthegabbleattheClub。Youlooksurprised。Listen!I
tookthisthingupinmyleisurehoursintheDepartment。Ihadreadmuchabouttheconversationofanimals。Iarguedthatifanimalsconversed，whyshouldn’tinanimatethingscommunicatewitheachother？Youcannotprovethatanimalsdon’tconverse——neithercanyouprovethatinanimateobjectsDONOT。See？\"
Iwasthunderstruckwiththeforceofhislogic。
\"Ofcourse，\"hecontinued，\"therearedegreesofintelligence，andthatmakesitdifficult。Forinstance，amahoganytablewouldnottalklikearush—bottomedkitchenchair。\"Hestoppedsuddenly，listened，andreplied，\"Ireallycouldn’tsay。\"
\"Ididn’tspeak，\"Isaid。
\"IknowYOUdidn’t。Butyourchairaskedme’howlongthatfoolwasgoingtostay。’Irepliedasyouheard。Praydon’tmove——I
intendtochangethatchairforonemoreaccustomedtopolitesociety。Tocontinue：Iperfectedmyselfinthelanguage，anditwasawfullyjollyatfirst。WheneverIwentbytrain，Iheardnotonlyalltheenginessaid，butwhateveryblessedcarriagethought，thatjoinedintheconversation。Ifyouchapsonlyknewwhatrotthosewhistlescangetoff!Andasforthebrakes，theycanbeatanymuledriverincursing。Then，afteratime，itgotrathermonotonous，andItookashortseatripformyhealth。But，byJove，everyblessedinchofthewholeship——fromthescrewtothebowsprit——hadsomethingtosay，andthebadlanguageusedbythegarboardstrakewhentheshiprolledwassomethingtooawful!Youdon’thappentoknowwhatthegarboardstrakeis，doyou？\"
\"No，\"Ireplied。
\"NomoredoI。That’sthedreadfulthingaboutit。You’vegottolistentochapsthatyoudon’tknow。Why，cominghomeonmybicycletheotherdaytherewasanawfulrowbetweensomeinfernal’sprocket’andthe’ballbearings’ofthemachine，andIneverknewbeforethereweresuchthingsinthewholeconcern。
IthoughtIhadgotathissecret，andsaidcarelessly：\"ThenI
supposethiswasthereasonwhyyoubrokeoffyourengagementwithMissMillikens？\"
\"Notatall，\"hesaidcoolly。\"Nothingtodowithit。Thatisquiteanotheraffair。It’saveryqueerstory；wouldyouliketohearit？\"
\"Byallmeans。\"Itookoutmynotebook。
\"YourememberthatnightoftheAmateurTheatricals，gotupbytheWhiteHussars，whenthelightssuddenlywentoutalloverthehouse？\"
\"Yes，\"Ireplied，\"Iheardaboutit。\"
\"Well，IhadgonedowntherethateveningwiththedeterminationofproposingtoMaryMillikensthefirstchancethatoffered。Shesatjustinfrontofme，hersisterJanenext，andhermother，smartWidowMillikens，——whowasabitlarkyonherownaccount，youremember，——thenextonthebench。Whenthelightswentoutandthepanicandtitteringbegan，Isawmychance!Ileanedforward，andinavoicethatwouldjustreachMary’searIsaid，’Ihavelongwishedtotellyouhowmylifeisboundupwithyou，dear，andI
never，nevercanbehappywithoutyou’——whenjustthentherewasamightybigshovedownmybenchfromthefellowsbeyondme，whoweretryingtogetout。ButIheldonlikegrimdeath，andstruggledbackagainintoposition，andwenton：’You’llforgivemytakingachancelikethis，butIfeltIcouldnolongerconcealmyloveforyou，’whenI’mblestiftherewasn’tanothershove，andthoughI’dgotholdofherlittlehandandhadakindofsqueezeinreturn，I
wasdriftedawayagainandhadtofightmywayback。ButImanagedtofinish，andsaid，’Ifthedevotionofalifetimewillatoneforthishurriedavowalofmyloveforyou，letmehopeforaresponse，’andjustthentheinfernallightswereturnedon，andthereIwasholdingthewidow’shandandshenestlingonmyshoulder，andthetwogirlsinhystericsontheotherside。Yousee，Ineverknewthattheywereshoveddownontheirbencheverytime，justasIwas，andofcoursewhenIgotbacktowhereIwasI’djustskippedoneofthemeachtime!Yes，sir!IhadmadethatproposalinTHREEsections——aparttoeachgirl，windingupwiththemother!Noexplanationwaspossible，andIleftSimlanextday。Naturally，itwasn’tathingtheycouldtalkabout，either!\"
\"ThenyouthinkMrs。Awksbyhadnothingtodowithit？\"Isaid。
\"Nothing——absolutelynothing。Bytheway，ifyouseethatlady，youmighttellherthatIhavepossessionofthatbrocadeeasy—
chairwhichusedtostandinthecornerofherboudoir。Yourememberit，——fadedwhiteandyellow，withoneofthecastersoffandalittlefrayedattheback，butrathersoft—spokenandamiable？Butofcourseyoudon’tunderstandTHAT。Iboughtitaftershemovedintohernewbungalow。\"
\"ButwhyshouldItellherthat？\"Iaskedinwonder。
\"Nothing——exceptthatIfinditveryamusingwithitsreminiscencesofthecompanysheusedtoentertain，andherconfidencesgenerally。Good—by——takecareofthelioninthehall。Healwayscouchesontheleftforaspring。Ta—ta!\"
Ihurriedaway。WhenIreturnedtoSimlaItoldMrs。Awksbyofmydiscoveries，andspokeofthearmchair。
Ifanciedshecoloredslightly，butquicklyrecovered。
\"DearoldSparkley，\"shesaidsweetly；\"heWASachampionliar!\"
II。
APRIVATE’SHONOR
IhadnotseenMulledwineyforseveraldays。Knowingtheman——thislookedbad。SoIdroppedinontheColonel。Ifoundhimindeepthought。Thislookedbad，too，foroldCockeyWax——ashewasknowntoeverybodyintheHilldistrictsbuthimself——wasn’tgiventothinking。Iguessedthecauseandtoldhimso。
\"Yes，\"hesaidwearily，\"youareright!It’stheoldstory。
Mulledwiney，Bleareyed，andOtherwiseareatitagain，——drinkfollowedbyClink。EvennowtwocorporalsandaprivatearesittingonMulledwiney’sheadtokeephimquiet，andBleareyedischainedtoanelephant。\"
\"Perhaps，\"Isuggested，\"youareunnecessarilysevere。\"
\"Doyoureallythinkso？Thankyousomuch!Iamalwaysgladtohaveacivilian’sopiniononmilitarymatters——andviceversa——itbroadensoneso!Andyet——amIsevere？Iamwilling，forinstance，tooverlooktheirraiduponanativevillage，andtheransomtheydemandedforanativeinspector!Ihaveoverlookedtheirtakingthehorsesoutofmycarriagefortheirownuse。Iamcontentalsotobelievethatmyfowlsmeeklysuccumbtojunglefeverandcholera。ButtherearesomethingsIcannotignore。ThecarryingoffofthegreatgodVishnufromtheSacredShrineatDucidbadbyTheThreeforthesakeofthepricelessopalsinitseyes\"——
\"ButIneverheardofTHAT，\"Iinterruptedeagerly。\"Tellme。\"
\"Ah!\"saidtheColonelplayfully，\"that——asyousooftenandsoamusinglysay——is’AnotherStory’!YetIwouldhaveoverlookedthetheftoftheopalsiftheyhadnotsubstitutedtwooftheQueen’sregimentalbuttonsfortheeyesofthegod。This，whileitdidnotdeceivetheignorantpriests，hadadeeppoliticalandracialsignificance。Youareaware，ofcourse，thatthegreatmutinywasoccasionedbytheissueofcartridgestothenativetroopsgreasedwithhog’sfat——forbiddenbytheirreligion。\"
\"Butthesethreemencouldthemselvesalonequellamutiny，\"I
replied。
TheColonelgraspedmyhandwarmly。\"Thankyou。Sotheycould。I
neverthoughtofthat。\"Helookedrelieved。Forallthat，hepresentlypassedhishandoverhisforeheadandnervouslychewedhischeroot。
\"Thereissomethingelse，\"Isaid。
\"Youareright。Thereis。Itisasecret。Promisemeitshallgonofurther——thanthePress？Nay，swearthatyouwillKEEPitforthePress!\"
\"Ipromise。\"
\"ThankyouSOmuch。ItisamatterofmyownandMulledwiney’s。
Thefactis，wehavehadaPERSONALdifficulty。\"Hepaused，glancedaroundhim，andcontinuedinalow，agitatedvoice：
\"YesterdayIcameuponhimashewassittingleaningagainstthebarrackwall。Inaspiritofplayfulness——mereplayfulness，I
assureyou，sir——Ipokedhimlightlyintheshoulderwithmystick，saying’Boo!’Heturned——andIshallneverforgetthelookhegaveme。\"
\"Goodheavens!\"Igasped，\"youtouched——absolutelyTOUCHED——
Mulledwiney？\"
\"Yes，\"hesaidhurriedly，\"Iknewwhatyouwouldsay；itwasagainsttheQueen’sRegulations——and——therewashissensitivenaturewhichshrinksfromevenaharshword；butIdidit，andofcoursehehasmeinhispower。\"
\"Andyouhavetouchedhim？\"Irepeated，——\"touchedhisprivatehonor!\"
\"Yes!ButIshallatoneforit!Ihavealreadyarrangedwithhimthatweshallhaveitoutbetweenourselvesalone，inthejungle，strippedtothebuff，withourfists——Queensberryrules!Ihaven’tfoughtsinceIstoodupagainstSpinksMajor——yourememberoldSpinks，nowoftheBombayOffensibles？——atEton。\"Andtheoldboypluckilybaredhisskinnyarm。
\"Itmaybeserious，\"Isaid。
\"Ihavethoughtofthat。Ihaveawife，severalchildren，andanagedparentinEngland。IfIfall，theymustneverknow。Youmustinventastoryforthem。Ihavethoughtofcholera，butthatisplayedout；youknowwehavealreadytrieditonTheBoywhowasThrownAway。Inventsomethingquiet，peaceableandrespectable——asfarremovedfromfightingaspossible。Whatdoyousaytomeasles？\"
\"Nothalfbad，\"Ireturned。
\"Measlesletitbe，then!SayIcaughtitfromWeeWillieWinkie。
Youdonotthinkittooincredible？\"headdedtimidly。
\"NotmorethanYOURstory，\"Isaid。
Hegraspedmyhand，strugglingviolentlywithhisemotion。Thenhestruggledwithme——andIlefthurriedly。Pooroldboy!Thefuneralwaswellattended，however，andnooneknewthetruth，notevenmyself。
III
JUNGLEFOLK
Itwashighnoonofawarmsummer’sdaywhenMooKowcamedowntothewatering—place。Miaow，otherwiseknownas\"Puskat\"——thewarmth—lovingone——wascrouchingonalimbthatoverhungthepool，sunningherself。BrerRabbit——butthatisAnotherStorybyAnotherPerson。
ThreeorfourGeeGees，alreadyatthepool，movedawayontheapproachofMooKow。
\"Whydoyestandaside？\"saidtheMooKow。
\"Whydoyousay’ye’？\"saidtheGeeGeestogether。
\"Becauseit’smoreimpressivethan’you。’Don’tyouknowthatallanimalstalkthatwayinEnglish？\"saidtheMooKow。
\"Andtheyalsosay’thou，’anddon’tyouforgetit!\"interruptedMiaowfromthetree。\"IlearntthatfromaManCub。\"
Theanimalsweresilent。TheydidnotlikeMiaow’sslang，andwerejealousofheroccasionallysittingonaManCub’slap。OnceDun—
kee，apoorrelationoftheGeeGees，hadtriediton，disastrously——butthatisalsoAnotherandamoreAgedStory。
\"WeareriddenbyTheEnglish——pleasetoobservetheCapitalletters，\"saidPiBol，theleaderoftheGeeGees，proudly。\"Theyareamightyracewhorideanythingandeverybody。D’yemindthat——
Imean，lookyewelltoit!\"
\"WhatshouldtheyknowofEnglandwhoonlyEnglandknow？\"saidMiaow。
\"Isthataconundrum？\"askedtheMooKow。
\"No；it’spoetry，\"saidtheMiaow。
\"IknowEngland，\"saidPiBolprancingly。\"IusedtogofromtheBanktoIslingtonthreetimesaday——Imean，\"headdedhurriedly，\"beforeIbecameascrew——Ishouldsay，ascrew—gunhorse。\"
\"AndI，\"saidtheMooKow，\"amterrible。Whentheyoungwomenandchildreninthevillageseemeapproachtheyflyshriekingly。Mypresencealonehasscatteredtheirsacredfestival——TheSundesKoolPiknik。Istriketerrortotheirinmostsouls，andammorefearedbythemthanevenKreep—mows，theinsidious!Andyet，behold!I
havetakentheplaceofthemothersofmen，andIhavenourishedthemightyonesoftheearth!Butthat，\"saidtheMooKow，turningherheadasidebashfully，\"thatisAnudderStory。\"
Adeadsilencefellonthepool。
\"AndI，\"saidMiaow，liftinguphervoice，\"Iamthehorrorandhaunterofthenightseason。WhenIpasslikethenightwindovertheroofsofthehousesmenshudderintheirbedsandtremble。
WhentheyhearmyvoiceasIcreepstealthilyalongtheirbalconiestheycrytotheirgodsforsuccor。Theyarise，andfromtheirwindowstheyoffermetheirpricelesshouseholdtreasures——thesacredvesselsdedicatedtotheirgreatgodShiv——whichtheycall’ShivinMugs’——theKloesBrosh，theBoo—jak，urgingmetoflythem!
Andyet，\"saidMiaowmournfully，\"itisbutmylove—song!ThinkyewhattheywoulddoifIwereonthewar—path。\"
Anotherdeadsilencefellonthepool。Thenarosethatstrange，mysterious，indefinableThing，knownas\"TheScent。\"Theanimalssniffed。
\"ItheraldstheapproachoftheStalkies——themostfamousofBritishSkoolBoaz，\"saidtheMooKow。\"Theyhavejustplacedadecayingguinea—pig，twowhitemiceinanadvancedstateofdecomposition，andasinglesliceofLimburgercheeseinthebedoftheirtutor。Theyhadpreviouslyskillfullydivertedthedrainssothattheyemptiedintothedrawing—roomofthehead—master。Theyhavejustburneddownhishouseinanaccessofnoblezeal，andarefightingamongthemselvesforthespoil。Hark!doyehearthem？\"
Awildmedleyofshrieksandhowlshadarisen，andanirregularmobofstrangecreaturessweptoutofthedistancetowardthepool。
Somewerelikepygmies，somehadbloodynoses。Theirtalkconsistedoffeverish，breathlessejaculations，——agibberishinwhichthewords\"rot，\"\"oach，\"and\"giddy\"werepreeminent。Somewereexcitingthemselvesbychewingakindof\"bhang\"madefromtheplantcalledpappahmint；othershadtheirfacesstreakedwithdjam。
\"Butwhoisthistheyareduckinginthepool？\"askedPiBol。
\"Itisonewhohasfoolishlyandwantonlyconceivedthathisparentshavesenthimheretostudy，\"saidtheMooKow；\"butthatisagainsttherulesoftheStalkies，whoacceptstudyonlyasapunishment。\"
\"Thenthesebesurelythe’BanderLog’——themonkeyfolk——ofwhomthegoodRhuddyiddhastoldus，\"saidaGeeGee——\"theoneswhohavenopurpose——andforgeteverything。\"
\"Fool!\"saidtheMooKow。\"KnowyenotthatthegreatRhuddyiddhassaidthattheStalkiesbecomeMajor—Generals，V。C。’s，andC。
B’softheEnglish？Truly，theyaregreat。Looknow；yeshallseeoneofthegreatesttraitsoftheEnglishStalky。\"
OneofthepygmyStalkieswasofferingabuntoalargerone，whohesitated，buttookitcoldly。
\"Behold!itisoneofthegreatesttraitsofthismightyracenottoshowanyemotion。HeWOULDtakethebun——heHAStakenit!Heispleased——buthemaynotshowit。Observehimeat。\"
ThetallerStalky，aftereatingthebun，quietlykickedthegiver，knockedoffhishat，andturnedawaywithacalm，immovableface。
\"Good!\"saidtheMooKow。\"Yewouldnotdreamthathewasabsolutelychokingwithgratefulemotion？\"
\"Wewouldnot，\"saidtheanimals。
\"Butwhyaretheyallrunningbackthewaytheycame？\"askedPiBol。
\"Theyaregoingbacktopunishment。Greatisitspower。HaveyenotheardthegospelofRhuddyiddthemighty？’Forceiseverything!Gentlenesswon’twash，courtesyisdeceitful。
Politenessisforeign。Beyebeatenthatyemaybeat。Passthekickon。’\"
Butherehewasinterruptedbytheappearanceofthreesoldierswhowereapproachingthewatering—place。
\"Yearenow，\"saidtheMooKow，\"withthemainguard。ThefirstisBleareyed，whocarriesaraveninacage，whichhehasstolenfromthewifeofadeputycommissioner。Hewillpaintthebirdsnowwhiteandsellitasadovetothesamelady。ThesecondisOtherwise，whoisdraggingasmallgardenengine，ofwhichhehasdespoiledanativegardener，whomhehasfelledwithasingleblow。
ThethirdisMulledwiney，swingingacut—glassdecanterofsherrywhichhehasjustsnatchedfromthetableofhiscolonel。
MulledwineyandOtherwisewillplaytheengineuponBleareyed，whoissufferingfromheatapoplexyanddjim—djams。\"
Thethreesoldiersseatedthemselvesinthepool。
\"Theyaregoingtotellawfulwarstoriesnow，\"saidtheMooKow，\"storiesthatarelargeandstrong!Somepeopleareshocked——
otherslike’em。\"
ThenhethatwascalledMulledwineytoldastory。InthemiddleofitMiaowgotupfromthelimbofthetree，coughedslightly，andputherpawdelicatelyoverhermouth。\"Youmustexcuseme，\"shesaidfaintly。\"Iamtakenthiswaysometimes——andIhaveleftmysaltsathome。Thanks!Icangetdownmyself!\"Thenextmomentshehaddisappeared，butwasheardcoughinginthedistance。
Mulledwineywinkedathiscompanionsandcontinuedhisstory：——
\"Widthatweworinthethickavthefoight。WhinIsay’thick’I
maneit，sorr!Weworthatjammedtogether，divilabitcudweshootorcut!Atfur—rest，Ihadlashedtwomushkitstogetherwidthebaynitsoutso，likeahayfork，andgettingthehaymaker’sliftonthim，IjustliftedtwoPaythiansout——oneanaychbaynit——
andpassed’em，aisy—like，overmeheadtotherearrankforthemtofinish。Butwhatwidthebludgettin’intomeois，Iwasblinded，andthepressurekeptincraysin’untilmearrumswasthrussedlikeafowltomesides，andsorraabitcudImovebutmejaws!\"
\"Andbloomin’wellyouknewhowtousethem，\"saidOtherwise。
\"Thrueforyou——thoughyedon’tmaneit!\"saidMulledwiney，playfullytappingOtherwiseontheheadwithadecantertillthecutglassslowlyshivered。\"So，begorra!therewornothingleftformetodobuttoATEthim!Wirra!butitwasthecrooelworruk。\"
\"Excuseme，mylord，\"interruptedthegaspingvoiceofPiBolashebegantobackfromthepool，\"Iambutahorse，Iknow，andbeingbuiltinthatway——naturallyhavethestomachofone——yet，really，mylord，this——er\"——Andhisvoicewasgone。
Thenextmomenthehaddisappeared。Mulledwineylookedaroundwithaffectedconcern。
\"Saveus!Butwe’vecleanedouttheJungle!Sure，there’snotabasteleftbutourselves!\"
Itwastrue。Thewatering—placewasempty。MooKow，Miaow，andtheGeeGeeshaddisappeared。Presentlytherewasaboomingcrashandalong，deeprumblingamongthedistanthills。ThentheyknewtheywereneartheoldMoulmeinPagoda，andthedawnhadcomeuplikethunderoutofChina’crossthebay。Italwayscameupthatwaythere。Thestrainwastoogreat，anddaywasactuallybreaking。
\"ZUT—SKI\"
THEPROBLEMOFAWICKEDFEMESOLE
BYM——R——EC——R——LLI
I
Thegreatpyramidtoweredupfromthedesertwithitsapextowardthemoonwhichhunginthesky。Forcenturiesithadstoodthus，disdainingtheaidofgodsorman，being，astheSphinxherselfobserved，abletostandupforitself。Andthiswasnosmallpraisefromthatsublimeyetmysteriousfemalewhohadseentheagescomeandgo，empiresriseandfall，novelistsucceednovelist，andwho，foreonsandcyclesthecynosureandcentreofadmirationandmen’sidolatrousworship，hadyet——wonderfulforawoman——
throughitallkeptherhead，whichnowaloneremainedtosurveycalmlythepresent。Indeed，atthatmomentthatmagnificentandpeacefulfaceseemedtohavelost——withafewunimportantfeatures——
itsusualexpressionofspeculativewisdomandintensedisdain；
itsmouthsmiled，itslefteyelidseemedtodroop。Astheopaltintsofdawndeepeneduponit，theeyelidseemedtodrooplower，closed，andquicklyrecovereditselftwice。YouwouldhavethoughttheSphinxhadwinked。
Thenaroseavoicelikeawindonthedesert，——butreallyfromthedirectionoftheNile，whereahireddahabiyehlaymooredtothebank，——\"’ArryAxes!’ArryAxes!\"Withitcamealsoaflapping，trailingvisionfromthewater——thesacredIbisitself——andwithwingsaslantdriftedmournfullyawaytoitsowncreakingecho：
\"K’raksis!K’raksis!\"Againarosetheweirdvoice：\"’ArryAxes!
Wotcherdoin’of？\"AndagaintheIbiscroakeditswildrefrain：
\"K’raksis!K’raksis!\"Moonlightandthehourwovetheirownmystery（forwhichtheauthorisnotresponsible），andthevoicewasheardnomore。Butwhenthefulldaysprangingloryoverthedesert，itilluminatedthefewremainingbutsufficientlylargefeaturesoftheSphinxwithaburningsaffronradiance!TheSphinxhadindeedblushed!
II
ItwasthefullseasonatCairo。ThewealthandfashionofBayswater，SouthKensington，andeventheboskyWoodoftheEvangelisthadsenttheirlatestluxuryandstyletofloutthetombsofthepastwiththeghastlyflippancyofto—day。Thecheaptripperwasthere——thelatestexampleoftheDarwiniantheory——
apelike，fleaandcuriohunting!Shamelesslyinquisitiveandalwayshungry，whatdidheknowoftheSphinxorthepyramidsorthevoice——and，forthematterofthat，whatdidtheyknowofhim？
Andyethewasnothalfbadincomparisonwiththe\"swaggerpeople，\"——thesepeoplewhopretendtohavelungsandwhatnot，andinsteadofgallopingonmerryhuntersthroughthefrostandsnowofPiccadillyandPark，insteadofenjoyingtheroaringfiresofpiledlogsintheevening，atthefirstapproachofwinterstealawaytotheLandoftheSun，anddeclinetodie，likehonestBritons，onBritishsoil。AndthentheyknownothingoftheEgyptiansandarehorrifiedat\"bakshish，\"whichtheyreallyoughttopayfortheprivilegeofshockingthestraight—limbed，naked—footedArabinhissingleroughgarmentwiththeirbaggyelephant—leggedtrousers!
Andtheyknownothingofthemysticlandoftheoldgods，filledwithprofoundenigmasofthesupernatural，darksecretsyetunexploredexceptinthisbook。WellmightthegreatMemnonmurmurafterthislapseofthesethousandyears，\"They’remakingmetired!\"
Suchwastheblissful，self—satisfiedignoranceofSirMidasPyle，orasLordFitz—Fulke，withhisdelightfulimitationoftheEastLondonaccent，calledhim，Sir\"MydeHisPyle，\"asheleanedbackonhisdivanintheGrandCairoHotel。HewasthevulgareditorandproprietorofavulgarLondonnewspaper，andhadbroughthiswifewithhim，whowasvainlytryingtomarryoffhisfadeddaughters。Therewastobeafancy—dressballatthehotelthatnight，andLadyPylehopedthathergirls，ifproperlydisguised，mighthaveabetterchance。Here，too，wasLadyFitz—Fulke，whosemotherwasimmortalizedbyByron——sixtyifaday，yetstilldressingyouthfully——whohadsoughtthelandoftheSphinxinthefainthopethatinthecontiguityofthatladyshemightpassforbeingyoung。AlasterMcFeckless，asplendidyoungScotchman，——
alreadydressedasaFlorentinesailorofthefifteenthcentury，whichenabledhimtoshowhismagnificentcalvesquiteaswellasinhisnativehighlanddress，andwhohadaddedwithcharacteristicnobleprideasporrantohiscostume，waslollingonanotherdivan。
\"Oh，thoseexquisite，thosemagnificenteyesofhers!Eh，sirs!\"
hemurmuredsuddenly，aswakingfromadream。
\"Oh，damnhereyes!\"saidLordFitz—Fulkelanguidly。\"Tellyouwhat，oldman，you’rejustgoneonthatgirl!\"
\"Ha!\"roaredMeFeckless，springingtohisfeet，\"yewillbeusingsuchlanguageofthebonniest\"——
\"Youwillexcuseme，gentlemen，\"saidSirMidas，——whohatedscenesunlesshehadatrustedreporterwithhim，——\"butIthinkitistimeformetogoupstairsandputonmyWindsoruniform，whichIfindexceedinglyconvenientforthesemixedassemblies。\"Hewithdrew，caressinghisprotuberantpaunchwithsomedignity，asthetwomenglancedfiercelyateachother。
Inanothermomenttheymighthavesprungateachother’sthroats。
Butluckilyatthisinstantacurtainwaspushedasideasifbysomewaitinglistener，andathinmanentered，dressedincapandgown，——whichwouldhavebeensimplyacademicbutforhiscarryinginonehandbehindhimabundleofbirchtwigs。ItwasDr。HaustusPilgrim，anotedLondonpractitionerandspecialist，dressedas\"YeOlde—fashionedPedagogue。\"HewaspresumablyspendinghisholidayontheNileinalargedahabiyehwithanumberoffriends，amongwhomhecountedthetwomomentaryantagonistshehadjustinterrupted；butthosewhoknewthedoctor’sfar—reachingknowledgeandcrypticresearchesbelievedhehadhisownscientificmotives。
Thetwomenturnedquicklyasheentered；theangrylightfadedfromtheireyes，andanawedandrespectfulsubmissiontotheintrudertookitsplace。Hewalkedquietlytowardthem，putalozengeinthemouthofoneandfeltthepulseoftheother，gazingcriticallyatboth。
\"Wewillbeallrightinamoment，\"hesaidwithprofessionalconfidence。
\"Isay!\"saidFitz—Fulke，gazingatthedoctor’scostume，\"youlookdoocedsmartinthosetogs，don’tcherknow。\"
\"Theysuitme，\"saidthedoctor，withaplayfulswishofhisbirchtwigs，atwhichthetwogravemenshuddered。\"Butyouwerespeakingofsomebody’sbeautifuleyes。\"
\"ThePrincessZut—Ski’s，\"returnedMcFecklesseagerly；\"andthisdaftcallantsaid\"——
\"Hedidn’tlikethem，\"putinFitz—Fulkepromptly。
\"Ha!\"saidthedoctorsharply，\"andwhynot，sir？\"AsFitz—Fulkehesitated，headdedbrusquely：\"There!Runawayandplay!I’vebusinesswiththisyoungman，\"pointingtoMcFeckless。
AsFitz—Fulkeescapedgladlyfromtheroom，thedoctorturnedtoMcFeckless。\"Itwon’tdo，myboy。ThePrincessisnotforyou——
you’llonlybreakyourheartandruinyourfamilyoverher!That’smyadvice。Chuckher!\"
\"ButIcannot，\"saidMcFecklesshumbly。\"Thinkofherweirdlybeautifuleyes。\"
\"Isee，\"saidthedoctormeditatively；\"sortofmakesyoufeelcreepy？Kindofall—overishness，eh？That’slikeher。Butwhomhavewehere？\"
Hewasstaringatastrikingfigurethathadjustentered，closelyfollowedbyacrowdofadmiringspectators。And，indeed，heseemedworthyofthehomage。Hismagnificentformwascloselyattiredinavelveteenjacketandtrousers，withasingulardisplayofpearlbuttonsalongtheseams，thatwereabsolutelylavishintheirquantity；ahatadornedwithfeathersandrosescompletedhissingularlypicturesqueequipment。
\"Chevalier!\"burstoutMcFecklessinbreathlessgreeting。
\"Ah，monami!Whatgoodchance？\"returnedthenewcomer，rushingtohimandkissinghimonbothcheeks，totheBritishhorrorofSirMidas，whohadfollowed。\"Ah，butyouareperfect!\"headded，kissinghisfingersinadmirationofMcFeckless’sFlorentinedress。
\"Butyou？——whatisthisravishingcostume？\"askedMcFeckless，withapangofjealousy。\"Youaregod—like。\"
\"ItisthedressofwhatyoucalltheKoster，atransplantedPheniciantribe，\"answeredtheother。\"Theywhoknocked’emintheroadofOldKent——knowyounotthelegend？\"Ashespoke，heliftedhissuperbformtoawarrior’sheightandgesture。
\"Butisthisquitecorrect？\"askedFitz—Fulkeofthedoctor。
\"Perfectly，\"saidthedoctororacularly。\"Therenowned’’ArryAxes’——Ibeghispardon，\"heinterruptedhimselfhastily，\"ImeantheChevalier——isperfectinhisarchaeologyandethnology。TheKosterisoriginallyaGypsy，whichisbutacorruptionoftheword’Egyptian，’and，ifImistakenot，thatgentlemanisalinealdescendant。\"
\"Butheiscalled’Chevalier，’andhespeakslikeaFrenchman，\"
saidFluffy。
\"And，beingaFrenchman，ofcourseknowsnothingoutsideofParis，\"
saidSirMidas。
\"WeareintheLandofMystery，\"saidthedoctorgravelyinalowvoice。\"YouhaveheardoftheEgyptianHallandtheTempleofMystery？\"
Ashudderpassedthroughmanythatwerethere；butthemajoritywerefollowingwithwildadulationthesuperbKoster，who，withelbowsslightlyoutwardandhandsturnedinward，waspassingtowardtheballroom。McFecklessaccompaniedhimwithconflictingemotions。WouldheseetheincomparablePrincess，whowaslovelierandevenstillmoreamysterythantheChevalier？Wouldshe——
terriblethought!——succumbtohisperfections？
III
ThePrincesswasalreadythere，surroundedbyacrowdofadmirers，equalifnotsuperiortothosewhowerefollowingthesuperbChevalier。Indeed，theymetalmostasrivals!Theireyessoughteachotherinsplendidcompetition。TheChevalierturnedaway，dazzledandincoherent。\"Sheisadorable，magnificent!\"hegaspedtoMcFeckless。\"Iloveherontheinstant!Behold，Iamtransported，ravished!Presentme。\"
Indeed，asshestoodthereinastrangegauzygarmentofexquisitecolors，apparentlyshapeless，yetnowandthenrevealingherperfectfigurelikeabatherseenthroughundulatingbillows，shewaslovely。Twowandswereheldinhertaperfingers，whosemysteryonlyaddedtothegeneralcuriosity，butwhoseweirdandcabalisticusesweretobeseenlater。Hermagnificentface——
strangeinitsbeauty——wasstrangerstill，since，withperfectarchaeologicalEgyptiancorrectness，shepresenteditonlyinprofile，atwhateveranglethespectatorstood。Butsuchaprofile!ThewordsofthegreatPoet—KingrosetoMcFeckless’slips：\"HernoseisasatowerthatlookethtowardDamascus。\"
Hehesitatedamoment，tornwithloveandjealousy，andthenpresentedhisfriend。\"Youwillfallinlovewithher——andthen——
youwillfallalsobymyhand，\"hehissedinhisrival’sear，andfledtumultuously。
\"Voulez—vousdanser，mademoiselle？\"whisperedtheChevalierintheperfectaccentoftheboulevardier。
\"Merci，beaucoup，\"sherepliedinthediplomaticcourtesiesoftheAmbassadeurs。
Theydancedtogether，notonce，butmanytimes，totheadmiration，thewonderandenvyofall；tothescandalizedreprobationofaproperfew。Whowasshe？Whowashe？Itwaseasytoanswerthelastquestion：theworldrangwiththereputationof\"ChevaliertheArtist。\"Butshewasstillamystery。
Perhapstheywerenotsotoeachother!Hewasgazingdeliriouslyintohereyes。Shewaslookingathimindisdainfulcuriosity。
\"I’veseenyoubeforesomewhere，haven’tI？\"shesaidatlast，withacrushingsignificance。
Heshuddered，heknewnotwhy，andpassedhishandoverhishighforehead。\"Yes，Igothereveryoften，\"herepliedvacantly。\"Butyou，mademoiselle——you——Ihavemetbefore？\"
\"Oh，ages，agesago!\"Therewassomethingweirdinheremphasis。
\"Ha!\"saidavoicenearthem，\"Ithoughtso!\"Itwasthedoctor，peeringatthemcuriously。\"Andyoubothfeelratherdazedandcreepy？\"Hesuddenlyfelttheirpulses，lingering，however，astheChevalierfancied，somewhatlongerthannecessaryoverthelady’swristandbeautifularm。HethenputasmallroundboxintheChevalier’shand，saying，\"Onebeforeeachmeal，\"andturningtotheladywithcaressingprofessionalaccentssaid，\"Wemustwrapourselvescloselyandendeavortoinduceperspiration，\"andhurriedaway，draggingtheChevalierwithhim。Whentheyreachedasecludedcorner，hesaid，\"Youhadjustnowakindoffeeling，don’tyouknow，asifyou’dsortofbeentherebefore，didn’tyou？\"
\"Yes，whatyoucalla——preexistence，\"saidtheChevalierwonderingly。
\"Yes；Ihaveoftenobservedthatthosewhodoubtafuturestateofexistencehavenohesitationinacceptingapreviousone，\"saidthedoctordryly。\"Butcome，Iseefromthewaythecrowdarehurryingthatyourdivinity’snumberisup——Imean，\"hecorrectedhimselfhastily，\"thatsheisprobablydancingagain。\"
\"Aha!withhim，theimbecileMcFeckless？\"gaspedtheChevalier。
\"No，alone。\"
Shewasindeedalone，inthecentreoftheballroom——withoutstretchedarmsrevolvinginanoccult，weird，dreamy，mystic，druidical，cabalisticcircle。Theynowforthefirsttimeperceivedthemeaningofthosestrangewandswhichappearedtobeattachedtothemanyfoldsofherdiaphanousskirtsandinvolvedherinafleecy，whirlingcloud。Yetinthewildconvolutionsofhergarmentsandthemadgyrationsofherfigure，herfacewasupturnedwiththeseraphicintensityofadevotee，andherlipspartedaswiththeimpassionedappealfor\"Light!morelight!\"Andtheappealwasanswered。Afloodofblue，crimson，yellow，andgreenradiancewasalternatelypoureduponherfromtheblackboxofamysteriousNubianslaveinthegallery。Theeffectwasmarvelous；atonemomentsheappearedasamartyrinasheetofflame，atanotherasanangelwrappedinwhiteandmuffledpurity，andagainasanymphoftheceruleansea，andthensuddenlyacloudofdarknessseemedtodescenduponher，throughwhichforaninstantherfigure，asimmaculateandperfectasamarblestatue，showeddistinctly——thenthelightwentoutandshevanished!
Thewholeassemblyburstintoarapturouscry。EventhecommonArabattendantswhowerepeepinginatthedoorsraisedtheirmelodiousnativecry，\"Alloe，Fullah!Aloe，Fullah!\"againandagain。
Ashockedsilencefollowed。ThenthevoiceofSirMidasPylewasheardaddressingDr。HaustusPilgrim：
\"Maywenotpresume，sir，thatwhatwehavejustseenisnotunlikethatremarkableexhibitionwhenIwaspainedtomeetyouoneeveningattheAlhambra？\"
Thedoctorcoughedslightly。\"TheAlhambra——ah，yes!——you——er——
refer，Ipresume，toGranadaandtheLandoftheMoor，wherewelastmet。ThemusicanddancearebothdistinctlyMoorish——which，afterall，isakintotheEgyptian。Iamgratifiedindeedthatyourmemoryshouldbesoretentiveandyourarchaeologicalcomparisonsoaccurate。Butsee!theladiesareretiring。Letusfollow。\"
IV
TheintoxicationproducedbytheperformanceofthePrincessnaturallyhaditsreaction。TheBritishmoralsoul，startledoutofitshypocrisythenightbefore，demandedthebitterbeerofself—consciousnessandremorsethenextmorning。Theladieswerenowopenlyshockedatwhattheyhadsecretlyenvied。LadyPylewas，however，propitiatedbythedoctor’sassurancethatthePrincesswasafriendofLadyFitz—Fulke，whohadpromisedtolendheryouthfulageandaristocraticprestigetothereturnballwhichthePrincesshaddeterminedtogiveatherownhome。\"Still，I
thinkthePrincessopentocriticism，\"saidSirMidasoracularly。
\"Damnallcriticismandcritics!\"burstoutMcFeckless，withthenoblefranknessofapassionateandyetunfetteredsoul。SirMidas，whoemployedcriticsinhisbusiness，ashedidotherbaseandignobleslaves，drewuphimselfandhispaunchandwalkedaway。
TheChevaliercastasuperblookatMcFeckless。\"Voila!Regardmewell!IshallseekoutthisPrincesswhensheiswithherself!
Alone，comprenez？IshallseekheratherhotelintheEgyptianHall!Ha!ha!IshallseekZut—Ski!Zut!\"AndhemadethatrapidyetgracefulmotionofhispalmagainsthisthighknownonlytothetrueParisian。
\"It’sarumholewhereshelives，andnobodygetsasightofher，\"
saidFlossy。\"It’slikeabeastlyfamilyvault，don’tyouknow，outside，andthere’sakindofniggerdoorkeeperthatvisesyouandchucksyououtifyouhaven’tthestraighttip。I’llshowyoutheway，ifyoulike。\"
\"Allons，enavant!\"saidtheChevaliergayly。\"Iprecipitatemyselfthereontheinstant。\"
\"Remember!\"hissedMcFeckless，graspinghisarm，\"youshallaccounttome!\"
\"Bien!\"saidtheChevalier，shakinghimofflightly。\"Alla—r—r—
right。\"Then，inthatincomparablebaritone，whichhadsooftenenthralledthousands，hemovedaway，trollingthefirstverseofthePrincess’sownfaint，sweet，sadsongofthe\"LotusLily，\"thatthrilledMcFecklesseventhroughtheChevalier’smarkedFrenchaccent：——
\"Oh，ahardzingtogetiszeLotusLillee!
Shelifinzeswamp——inzewatairchillee；
Shemakeyourfootwet——andyoulooksosillee，ButyoubuyherforsixpenceinPiccadillee!\"
InhalfanhourthetwomenreachedtheremotesuburbwherethePrincesslived，agloomy，windowlessbuilding。PausingunderalowarchwayoverwhichinEgyptiancharactersappearedthefadedlegend，\"StaGedOor，\"theyfoundaNubianslaveblockingthedimentrance。
\"Ileaveyouhere，\"saidFlossyhurriedly，\"asevenIleftoncebefore——onlythenIwaslightlyassistedbyhissandaledfoot，\"headded，rubbinghimselfthoughtfully。\"Butbetterlucktoyou。\"
Ashiscompanionretreatedswiftly，theChevalierturnedtotheslaveandwouldhavepassedin，butthemanstoppedhim。\"Gotapass，boss？\"
\"No，\"saidtheChevalier。
Themanlookedathimkeenly。\"Oh，Isee!oneofdeprofesh。\"
TheChevaliernoddedhaughtily。Themanprecededhimbydevious，narrowwaysanddarkstaircases，comingabruptlyuponasmallapartmentwherethePrincesssatonalowdivan。Asinglelampinclosedinanominouswirecageflaredaboveher。Strangethingslayaboutthefloorandshelves，andfromanotherdoorhecouldseehideousmasks，frightfulheads，anddisproportionatefaces。Heshudderedslightly，butrecoveredhimselfandfellonhiskneesbeforeher。\"Ilofeyou，\"hesaidmadly。\"Ihavealwayslofedyou!\"
\"Forhowlong？\"sheasked，withastrangesmile。
Hecovertlyconsultedhisshirtcuff。\"Fortreetousandfifehundredandsixty—twoyears，\"hesaidrapidly。
Shelookedathimdisdainfully。\"Thedoctorhasbeenputtingyouuptothat!Itwon’twash!Idon’trefertoyourshirtcuff，\"sheaddedwithdeepsatire。
\"Adorableone!\"hebrokeoutpassionately，attemptingtoembraceher，\"Ihavecometotakeyou。\"Withoutmoving，shetouchedaknobinthewall。Atrap—doorbeyondhimsank，andoutofthebowelsoftheearthleapedthreeindescribabledemons。Then，rising，shetookacakeofchalkfromthetableand，drawingamystichalfcircleonthefloor，returnedtothedivan，litacigarette，andleaningcomfortablyback，saidinalow，monotonousvoice，\"Advanceonefootwithinthatmagicline，andonthathead，althoughitworeacrown，IlaunchthecurseofRome。\"
\"I——onlywantedtotakeyou——withakodak，\"hesaid，withalightlaughtoconcealhisconfusion，asheproducedtheinstrumentfromhiscoat—tailpocket。
\"Notwiththatcheapbox，\"shesaid，risingwithmagnificentdisdain。\"Comeagainwithadecentinstrument——andperhaps\"——
Then，lightlyhumminginapurecontralto，\"I’vebeenphotographedlikethis——I’vebeenphotographedlikethat，\"shesummonedtheslavetoconducthimback，andvanishedthroughacanvasscreen，whichneverthelessseemedtothedazedChevaliertobethestonyfrontofthepyramids。
V
\"Andyousawher？\"saidthedoctorinFrench。
\"Yes；butthethree—thousand—yeargagdidnotwork!Shespottedyou，cherami，ontheinstant。Andshewouldn’tletmetakeherwithmykodak。\"
Thedoctorlookedgrave。\"Isee，\"hemusedthoughtfully。\"Youmusthavemycamera，alargeroneandmorebulkyperhapstocarry；butshewillnotobjecttothat，——shewhohasstoodforfulllengths。
Iwillgiveyousomeprivateinstructions。\"
\"But，cherdoctor，thisprevious—existenceidea——atwhatdoyouarrive？\"
\"Thereismuchtosayforit，\"saidthedoctororacularly。\"Ithassurvivedinthebeliefofallages。Whocantell？Thatsomemeninapreviousexistencemayhavebeengoatsorapes，\"continuedthedoctor，lookingathimcuriously，\"doesnotseemimprobable!FromthetimeofPythagoraswehaveknownthat；butthattheindividualasanindividualegohasbeenremandedorprojected，hasharkedbackoranticipatedhimself，is，wemaysay，withourpowersofapperception，——thatis，theperceptionthatweareperceiving，——
is\"——
ButtheChevalierhadfled。\"Nomatter，\"saidthedoctor，\"IwillseeMcFeckless。\"Hedid。Hefoundhimgloomy，distraught，baleful。Hefelthispulse。\"Themixtureasbefore，\"hesaidbriefly，\"andalittleinnocentdiversion。ThereisanAuntSallyontheesplanade——twothrowsforapenny。Itwilldoyougood。
Thinknomoreofthiswoman!Listen，——Iwishyouwell；yourfamilyhavealwaysbeengoodpatientsofmine。MarrysomegoodScotchgirl；Iknowonewithfiftythousandpounds。LetthePrincessgo!\"
\"Tohim——never!Iwillmarryher!Yet，\"hemurmuredsoftlytohimself，\"feeftythousandpun’isnaesmallsum。Aye!NotthatI
careforsiller——butfeeftythousandpun’!Eh，sirs!\"
VI
Dr。HaustusknewthattheChevalierhadagainvisitedthePrincess，althoughhehadkeptthevisitasecret，——andindeedwashimselfinvisibleforadayortwoafterwards。Atlastthedoctor’scuriosityinducedhimtovisittheChevalier’sapartment。
Entering，hewassurprised——eveninthatLandofMystery——tofindtheroomprofoundlydark，smellingofEasterndrugs，andtheChevaliersittingbeforealargeplateofglasswhichhewasexaminingbytheaidofaluridrubylamp，——theonlylightintheweirdgloom。Hisfacewaspaleanddistraught，hislocksweredisheveled。
\"Voila!\"hesaid。\"MonDieu!Itismythirdattempt。Alwaysthesame——hideous，monstrous，unearthly!Itisshe，andyetitisnotshe!\"
Thedoctor，professionalmanashewasandinuredtosuchspectacles，wasstartled!TheplatebeforehimshowedthePrincess’sfaceinallitsbeautifulcontour，butonlydimlyveilingaghastlydeath’s—headbelow。Therewasthewholebonystructureoftheheadandtheeyelesssockets；eventhegraceful，swan—likeneckshowedthearticulatedvertebralcolumnthatsupporteditinallitshideousreality。Thebeautifulshoulderswerethere，dimlyasinadream——butbeneathwastheemptyclavicle，theknottyjoint，thehollowsternum，andtheribsofaskeletonhalflength!
Thedoctor’svoicebrokethesilence。\"Myfriend，\"hesaiddryly，\"youseeonlythetruth!Youseewhatshereallyis，thispeerlessPrincessofyours。Youseeherassheisto—day，andyouseeherkinshiptothebonesthathavelainforcenturiesinyonderpyramid。Yettheywereonceasfairasthis，andthiswasasfairasthey——ineffectthesame!Youthathavemadly，impiouslyadoredhersuperficialbeauty，themeredustoftomorrow，letthisbeawarningtoyou!Youthathavenosoultospeakof，letthatsufficeyou!Takeherandbehappy。Adieu!\"
Yet，ashepassedoutofthefittingtomblikegloomoftheapartmentanddescendedthestairs，hemurmuredtohimself：\"OddthatIshouldhavelenthimmycamerawiththeRontgen—rayattachmentstillon。Nomatter!ItisnotthefirsttimethatthePrincesshasappearedintwopartsthesameevening。\"
VII
Inspiteofenvy，jealousy，andmalice，acertaincuriositygreaterthanallthesedreweverybodytothePrincessZut—Ski’sball。LadyFitz—Fulkewasthereinvirginwhite，lookingmoreyouthfulthanever，inspiteofhersixty—fiveyearsandthecardlabeled\"FreshPaint\"whichsomebodyhadplayfullyplaceduponherenameledshoulder。TheMcFecklesses，thePyles，Flossy，thedoctor，andtheChevalier——lookingstillanxious——wereinattendance。
ThemysteriousNubiandoorkeeperadmittedthegueststhroughthesamenarrowpassages，muchtothedisgustofLadyPyleandthediscomfitureofherpaunchyhusband；butonreachingalargecircularinteriorhall，agreatersurprisewasinstoreforthem。
Itwasfoundthattheonlyentrancetothebodyofthehallwasalonganarrowledgeagainstthebarewallsomedistancefromthefloor，whichobligedthegueststowalkslowly，insinglefile，alongthisprecariousstrip，givingthemtheattitudesofanEgyptianfrieze，whichwassuggestedintheoriginalplasterabovethem。Itisneedlesstosaythat，whiletheeffectwasingeniousandstrikingfromthecentreoftheroom，wherethePrincessstoodwithafewpersonalfriends，itwasexceedinglyuncomfortabletothefiguresthemselves，intheirenforcedmarchalongtheledge，——
especiallyafigureofSirMidasPyle’sproportions。Suddenlyanexclamationbrokefromthedoctor。
\"Doyousee，\"hesaidtothePrincess，pointingtothefigureoftheChevalier，whowasfilingalongwithhissinewyhandsslightlyturnedinward，\"howsurprisinglylikeheistothefirstattendantontheKingintherealfriezeabove？Andthat，\"addedthedoctor，\"wasnoneotherthan’ArryAxes，theEgyptianyouarealwaysthinkingof。\"Andhepeeredcuriouslyather。
\"Goodnessme!\"murmuredthePrincess，inanArabicmuchmoresoftandfluentthantheoriginalgum。\"Sohedoes——looklikehim。\"
\"Anddoyouknowyoulooklikehim，too？Wouldyoumindtakingawalkaroundtogether？\"
Theydid，amidtheacclamationsofthecrowd。Thelikenesswasperfect。ThePrincess，however，wasquitewhiteassheeagerlyrejoinedthedoctor。
\"Andthismeans——？\"shehissedinalowwhisper。
\"Thatheisthereal’ArryAxes!Hush，notawordnow!Wejointhedahabiyehto—night。Atdaybreakyouwillmeethimatthefourthangleofthepyramid，firstturningfromtheNile!\"
VIII
ThecrescentmoonhungagainovertheapexoftheGreatPyramid，likeasilvercuttingfromtherosynailofahouri。TheSphinx——
mightyguesserofriddles，readerofrebusesanduniversalsolverofmissingwords——lookedovertheunfathomabledesertandthesefewpages，withtheworried，hopelessexpressionofonewhoisobligedatlasttogiveitup。Andthenthewailingvoiceofawoman，toilingupthesteepstepsofthepyramid，washeardabovethecreakingoftheIbis：\"’ArryAxes!Whereareyou？Waitforme。\"
\"J’ysuis，\"saidavoicefromtheverysummitofthestupendousgranitebulk，\"yetIcannotreachit。\"
Andinthatfaintlightthefigureofamanwasseen，liftinghisarmswildlytowardthemoon。
\"’ArryAxes，\"persistedthevoice，driftinghigher，\"waitforme；
wearepursued。\"
Andindeeditwastrue。AbandofNubians，headedbythedoctor，wasalreadyswarminglikeantsupthepyramid，andtheunhappypairweresecured。Andwhenthesunrose，itwasuponthewhitesailsofthedahabiyeh，thevacantpyramid，andtheslumberingSphinx。
TherewasgreatexcitementattheCairoHotelthenextmorning。
ThePrincessandtheChevalierhaddisappeared，andwiththemAlasterMcFeckless，LadyFitz—Fulke，thedoctor，andevenhisdahabiyeh!Athousandrumorshadbeenincirculation。SirMidasPylelookedupfromthe\"Times\"withhisusualI—told—you—soexpression。
\"Itisthemostextraordinarything，don’tcherknow，\"saidFitz—
Fulke。\"ItseemsthatDr。HaustusPilgrimwashereprofessionally——
asanervespecialist——inthetreatmentofhallucinationsproducedbyneuroticconditions，youknow。\"
\"Amaddoctor，here!\"gaspedSirMidas。
\"Yes。ThePrincess，theChevalier，McFeckless，andevenmymotherwereallpatientsofhisonthedahabiyeh。Hebelieved，don’tcherknow，inhumoringthemandlettingthemfollowouttheircranks，underhismanagement。ThePrincesswasamusic—hallartistwhoimaginedshewasadeadandgoneEgyptianPrincess；andthequeerestofall，’ArryAxeswasalsoamusic—hallsingerwhoimaginedhimselfChevalier——youknow，thegreatKosterartist——andthat’showwetookhimforaFrenchman。McFecklessandmypooroldmotherweretheonlyoneswithanyrealrankandposition——butyouknowwhatabeastlybounderMacwas，andthepoormaterDIDoverdotheyouthful!WenevercalledthedoctorinuntilthedayshewantedtogotoaswellballinLondonasLittleRedRiding—hood。
Butthedoctorwritesmethattheexperimentwasasuccess，andthey’llbeallrightwhentheygetbacktoLondon。\"
\"Then，itseems，sir，thatyouandIweretheonlysaneoneshere，\"
saidSirMidasfuriously。
\"Reallyit’sasmuchasIcandotobecertainaboutmyself，oldchappie，\"saidFitz—Fulke，turningaway。