THE RING OF THOTH

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (The Cornhill Magazine (1890

MR. JOHN VANSITTART SMITH, F.R.S., of 147A Gower Street, was a man whose energ of !"r!ose an# $%earness of tho"ght m&ght ha'e !%a$e# h&m &n the 'er f&rst ran( of s$&ent&f&$ o)ser'ers. He was the '&$t&m, howe'er, of a "n&'ersa% am)&t&on wh&$h !rom!te# h&m to a&m at #&st&n$t&on &n man s")*e$ts rather than !re+em&nen$e &n one. In h&s ear% #a s he ha# shown a!t&t"#e for ,oo%og an# for )otan wh&$h $a"se# h&s fr&en#s to %oo( "!on h&m as a se$on# -arw&n, )"t when a !rofessorsh&! was a%most w&th&n h&s rea$h he ha# s"##en% #&s$ont&n"e# h&s st"#&es an# t"rne# h&s who%e attent&on to $hem&str . Here h&s resear$hes "!on the s!e$tra of the meta%s ha# won h&m h&s fe%%owsh&! &n the Ro a% So$&et . )"t aga&n he !%a e# the $o/"ette w&th h&s s")*e$t, an# after a ear0s a)sen$e from the %a)orator he *o&ne# the Or&enta% So$&et , an# #e%&'ere# a !a!er on the H&erog% !h&$ an# -emot&$ &ns$r&!t&ons of 1% 2a), th"s g&'&ng a $rown&ng e3am!%e )oth of the 'ersat&%&t an# of the &n$onstan$ of h&s ta%ents. The most f&$(%e of wooers, howe'er, &s a!t to )e $a"ght at %ast, an# so &t was w&th John Vans&ttart Sm&th. The more he )"rrowe# h&s wa &nto 1g !to%og the more &m!resse# he )e$ame ) the 'ast f&e%# wh&$h &t o!ene# to the &n/"&rer, an# ) the e3treme &m!ortan$e of a s")*e$t wh&$h !rom&se# to throw a %&ght "!on the f&rst germs of h"man $&'&%&sat&on an# the or&g&n of the greater !art of o"r arts an# s$&en$es. So str"$( was Mr. Sm&th that he stra&ghtwa marr&e# an 1g !to%og&$a% o"ng %a# who ha# wr&tten "!on the s&3th # nast , an# ha'&ng th"s se$"re# a so"n# )ase of o!erat&ons he set h&mse%f to $o%%e$t mater&a%s for a wor( wh&$h sho"%# "n&te the resear$h of 4e!s&"s an# the &ngen"&t of 5ham!o%%&on. The !re!arat&on of h&s magn"m o!"s enta&%e# man h"rr&e# '&s&ts to the magn&f&$ent 1g !t&an $o%%e$t&ons of the 4o"'re, "!on the %ast of wh&$h, no %onger ago than the m&##%e of %ast O$to)er, he )e$ame &n'o%'e# &n a most strange an# noteworth a#'ent"re. The tra&ns ha# )een s%ow an# the 5hanne% ha# )een ro"gh, so that the st"#ent arr&'e# &n 6ar&s &n a somewhat )efogge# an# fe'er&sh $on#&t&on. On rea$h&ng the Hote% #e Fran$e, &n the R"e 4aff&tte, he ha# thrown h&mse%f "!on a sofa for a $o"!%e of ho"rs, )"t f&n#&ng that he was "na)%e to s%ee!, he #eterm&ne#, &n s!&te of h&s fat&g"e, to ma(e h&s wa to the 4o"'re, sett%e the !o&nt wh&$h he ha# $ome to #e$&#e, an# ta(e the e'en&ng tra&n )a$( to -&e!!e. Ha'&ng $ome to h&s $on$%"s&on, he #onne# h&s great$oat, for &t was a raw ra&n #a , an# ma#e h&s wa a$ross the 7o"%e'ar# #es Ita%&ens an# #own the A'en"e #e %0O!era. On$e &n the 4o"'re he was on fam&%&ar gro"n#, an# he s!ee#&% ma#e h&s wa to the $o%%e$t&on of !a! r& wh&$h &t was h&s &ntent&on to $ons"%t. The warmest a#m&rers of John Vans&ttart Sm&th $o"%# har#% $%a&m for h&m that he was a han#some man. H&s h&gh+)ea(e# nose an# !rom&nent $h&n ha# someth&ng of the same a$"te an# &n$&s&'e $hara$ter wh&$h #&st&ng"&she# h&s &nte%%e$t. He he%# h&s hea# &n a )&r#%&(e fash&on, an# )&r#%&(e, too, was the !e$(&ng mot&on w&th wh&$h, &n $on'ersat&on, he threw o"t h&s o)*e$t&ons an# retorts. As he stoo#, w&th the h&gh $o%%ar of h&s great$oat ra&se# to h&s ears, he m&ght ha'e seen from the ref%e$t&on &n the g%ass+$ase )efore h&m that h&s a!!earan$e was a s&ng"%ar one. 8et &t $ame "!on h&m as a s"##en *ar when an 1ng%&sh 'o&$e )eh&n# h&m e3$%a&me# &n 'er a"#&)%e tones, 9:hat a /"eer+%oo(&ng morta%;9 The st"#ent ha# a %arge amo"nt of !ett 'an&t &n h&s $om!os&t&on wh&$h man&feste# &tse%f ) an ostentat&o"s an# o'er#one #&sregar# of a%% !ersona% $ons&#erat&ons. He stra&ghtene# h&s %&!s an#

%oo(e# r&g&#% at the ro%% of !a! r"s, wh&%e h&s heart f&%%e# w&th )&tterness aga&nst the who%e ra$e of tra'e%%&ng 7r&tons. 98es,9 sa&# another 'o&$e, 9he rea%% &s an e3traor#&nar fe%%ow.9 9-o o" (now,9 sa&# the f&rst s!ea(er, 9one $o"%# a%most )e%&e'e that ) the $ont&n"a% $ontem!%at&on of m"mm&es the $ha! has )e$ome ha%f a m"mm h&mse%f<9 He has $erta&n% an 1g !t&an $ast of $o"ntenan$e,9 sa&# the other. John Vans&ttart Sm&th s!"n ro"n# "!on h&s hee% w&th the &ntent&on of sham&ng h&s $o"ntr men ) a $orros&'e remar( or two. To h&s s"r!r&se an# re%&ef, the two o"ng fe%%ows who ha# )een $on'ers&ng ha# the&r sho"%#ers t"rne# towar#s h&m, an# were ga,&ng at one of the 4o"'re atten#ants who was !o%&sh&ng some )rass+wor( at the other s&#e of the room. 95arter w&%% )e wa&t&ng for "s at the 6a%a&s Ro a%,9 sa&# one to"r&st to the other, g%an$&ng at h&s wat$h, an# the $%attere# awa , %ea'&ng the st"#ent to h&s %a)o"rs. 9I won#er what these $hatterers $a%% an 1g !t&an $ast of $o"ntenan$e,9 tho"ght John Vans&ttart Sm&th, an# he mo'e# h&s !os&t&on s%&ght% &n or#er to $at$h a g%&m!se of the man0s fa$e. He starte# as h&s e es fe%% "!on &t. It was &n#ee# the 'er fa$e w&th wh&$h h&s st"#&es ha# ma#e h&m fam&%&ar. The reg"%ar stat"es/"e feat"res, )roa# )row, we%%+ro"n#e# $h&n, an# #"s( $om!%e3&on were the e3a$t $o"nter!art of the &nn"mera)%e stat"es, m"mm +$ases, an# !&$t"res wh&$h a#orne# the wa%%s of the a!artment. The th&ng was )e on# a%% $o&n$&#en$e. The man m"st )e an 1g !t&an. The nat&ona% ang"%ar&t of the sho"%#ers an# narrowness of the h&!s were a%one s"ff&$&ent to &#ent&f h&m. John Vans&ttart Sm&th sh"ff%e# towar#s the atten#ant w&th some &ntent&on of a##ress&ng h&m. He was not %&ght of to"$h &n $on'ersat&on, an# fo"n# &t #&ff&$"%t to str&(e the ha!! mean )etween the )r"s/"eness of the s"!er&or an# the gen&a%&t of the e/"a%. As he $ame nearer, the man !resente# h&s s&#e fa$e to h&m, )"t (e!t h&s ga,e st&%% )ent "!on h&s wor(. Vans&ttart Sm&th, f&3&ng h&s e es "!on the fe%%ow0s s(&n, was $ons$&o"s of a s"##en &m!ress&on that there was someth&ng &nh"man an# !reternat"ra% a)o"t &ts a!!earan$e. O'er the tem!%e an# $hee(+)one &t was as g%a,e# an# as sh&n as 'arn&she# !ar$hment. There was no s"ggest&on of !ores. One $o"%# not fan$ a #ro! of mo&st"re "!on that ar&# s"rfa$e. From )row to $h&n, howe'er, &t was $ross+ hat$he# ) a m&%%&on #e%&$ate wr&n(%es, wh&$h shot an# &nter%a$e# as tho"gh Nat"re &n some Maor& moo# ha# tr&e# how w&%# an# &ntr&$ate a !attern she $o"%# #e'&se. 9O" est %a $o%%e$t&on #e Mem!h&s<9 as(e# the st"#ent, w&th the aw(war# a&r of a man who &s #e'&s&ng a /"est&on mere% for the !"r!ose of o!en&ng a $on'ersat&on. 950est %a,9 re!%&e# the man )r"s/"e% , no##&ng h&s hea# at the other s&#e of the room. 9Vo"s etes "n 1g !t&en, n0est+$e !as<9 as(e# the 1ng%&shman. The atten#ant %oo(e# "! an# t"rne# h&s strange #ar( e es "!on h&s /"est&oner. The were '&treo"s, w&th a m&st #r sh&n&ness, s"$h as Sm&th ha# ne'er seen &n a h"man hea# )efore. As he ga,e# &nto them he saw some strong emot&on gather &n the&r #e!ths, wh&$h rose an# #ee!ene# "nt&% &t )ro(e &nto a %oo( of someth&ng a(&n )oth to horror an# to hatre#. 9Non, mons&e"r. *e s"&s fran$a&s.9 The man t"rne# a)r"!t% an# )ent %ow o'er h&s !o%&sh&ng. The st"#ent ga,e# at h&m for a moment &n aston&shment, one of the #oors he !ro$ee#e# to ma(e notes of h&s resear$hes among the !a! r&. Th&s tho"ghts, howe'er ref"se# to ret"rn &nto the&r nat"ra% groo'e. The wo"%# r"n "!on the en&gmat&$a% atten#ant w&th the s!h&n3+%&(e fa$e an# the !ar$hment s(&n. 9:here ha'e I seen s"$h e es<9 sa&# Vans&ttart Sm&th to h&mse%f. 9There &s someth&ng sa"r&an a)o"t them, someth&ng re!t&%&an. There0s the mem)rana n&$t&tans of the sna(es,9 he m"se#, )eth&n(&ng h&mse%f of h&s ,oo%og&$a% st"#&es. 9It g&'es a sh&n effe$t. 7"t there was someth&ng

more here. There was a sense of !ower, of w&s#om + so I rea# them + an# of wear&ness, "tter wear&ness, an# &neffa)%e #es!a&r. It ma )e a%% &mag&nat&on, )"t I ne'er ha# so strong an &m!ress&on. 7 Jo'e, I m"st ha'e another %oo( at them;9 He rose an# !a$e# ro"n# the 1g !t&an rooms, )"t the man who ha# e3$&te# h&s $"r&os&t ha# #&sa!!eare#. The st"#ent sat #own aga&n &n h&s /"&et $orner, an# $ont&n"e# to wor( at h&s notes. He ha# ga&ne# the &nformat&on wh&$h he re/"&re# from the !a! r&, an# &t on% rema&ne# to wr&te &t #own wh&%e &t was st&%% fresh &n h&s memor . For a t&me h&s !en$&% tra'e%%e# ra!&#% o'er the !a!er, )"t soon the %&nes )e$ame %ess %e'e%, the wor#s more )%"rre#, an# f&na%% the !en$&% t&n(%e# #own "!on the f%oor, an# the hea# of the st"#ent #ro!!e# hea'&% forwar# "!on h&s $hest. T&re# o"t ) h&s *o"rne , he s%e!t so so"n#% &n h&s %one% !ost )eh&n# the #oor that ne&ther the $%an(&ng $&'&% g"ar#, nor the footste!s of s&ghtseers, nor e'en the %o"# hoarse )e%% wh&$h g&'es the s&gna% for $%os&ng, were s"ff&$&ent to aro"se h&m. Tw&%&ght #ee!ene# &nto #ar(ness, the )"st%e from the R"e #e R&'o%& wa3e# an# then wane#, #&stant Notre -ame $%ange# o"t the ho"r of m&#n&ght, an# st&%% the #ar( an# %one% f&g"re sat s&%ent% &n the sha#ow. It was not "nt&% $%ose "!on one &n the morn&ng that, w&th a s"##en gas! an# an &nta(&ng of the )reath, Vans&ttart Sm&th ret"rne# to $ons$&o"sness. For a moment &t f%ashe# "!on h&m that he ha# #ro!!e# as%ee! &n h&s st"# $ha&r at home. The moon was sh&n&ng f&tf"%% thro"gh the "nsh"ttere# w&n#ow, howe'er, an# as h&s e e ran a%ong the %&nes of m"mm&es an# the en#%ess arra of !o%&she# $ases, he remem)ere# $%ear% where he was an# how he $ame there. The st"#ent was not a ner'o"s man. He !ossesse# that %o'e of a no'e% s&t"at&on wh&$h &s !e$"%&ar to h&s ra$e. Stret$h&ng o"t h&s $ram!e# %&m)s, he %oo(e# at h&s wat$h, an# )"rst &nto a $h"$(%e as he o)ser'e# the ho"r. The e!&so#e wo"%# ma(e an a#m&ra)%e ane$#ote to )e &ntro#"$e# &nto h&s ne3t !a!er as a re%&ef to the gra'er an# hea'&er s!e$"%at&ons. He was a %&tt%e $o%#, )"t w&#e awa(e an# m"$h refreshe#. It was no won#er that the g"ar#&ans ha# o'er%oo(e# h&m, for the #oor threw &ts hea' )%a$( sha#ow r&ght a$ross h&m. The $om!%ete s&%en$e was &m!ress&'e. Ne&ther o"ts&#e nor &ns&#e was there a $rea( or a m"rm"r. He was a%one w&th the #ea# men of a #ea# $&'&%&sat&on. :hat tho"gh the o"ter $&t ree(e# of the gar&sh n&neteenth $ent"r ; In a%% th&s $ham)er there was s$ar$e an art&$%e, from the shr&'e%%e# ear of wheat to the !&gment+)o3 of the !a&nter, wh&$h ha# not he%# &ts own aga&nst fo"r tho"san# ears. Here was the f%otsam an# *etsam washe# "! ) the great o$ean of t&me from that far+off em!&re. From state% The)es, from %or#% 4"3or, from the great tem!%es of He%&o!o%&s, from a h"n#re# r&f%e# tom)s, these re%&$s ha# )een )ro"ght. The st"#ent g%an$e# aro"n# at the %ong+ s&%ent f&g"res who f%&$(ere# 'ag"e% "! thro"gh the g%oom, at the )"s to&%ers who were now so restf"%, an# he fe%% &nto a re'erent an# tho"ghtf"% moo#. An "nwonte# sense of h&s own o"th an# &ns&gn&f&$an$e $ame o'er h&m. 4ean&ng )a$( &n h&s $ha&r, he ga,e# #ream&% #own the %ong '&sta of rooms, a%% s&%'er w&th the moonsh&ne, wh&$h e3ten# thro"gh the who%e w&ng of the w&#es!rea# )"&%#&ng. H&s e es fe%% "!on the e%%ow g%are of a #&stant %am!. John Vans&ttart Sm&th sat "! on h&s $ha&r w&th h&s ner'es a%% on e#ge. The %&ght was a#'an$&ng s%ow% towar#s h&m, !a"s&ng from t&me to t&me, an# then $om&ng *er(&% onwar#s. The )earer mo'e# no&se%ess% . In the "tter s&%en$e there was no s"s!&$&on of the !at of a footfa%%. An &#ea of ro))ers entere# the 1ng%&shman0s hea#. He sn"gg%e# "! farther &nto the $orner. The %&ght was two rooms off. Now &t was &n the ne3t $ham)er, an# st&%% there was no so"n#. :&th someth&ng a!!roa$h&ng to a thr&%% of fear the st"#ent o)ser'e# a fa$e, f%oat&ng &n the a&r as &t were, )eh&n# the f%are of the %am!. The f&g"re was wra!!e# &n sha#ow, )"t the %&ght fe%% f"%% "!on a strange, eager fa$e. There was no m&sta(&ng the meta%%&$, g%&sten&ng e es an# the $a#a'ero"s s(&n. It was the atten#ant w&th whom he ha# $on'erse#.

Vans&ttart Sm&th0s f&rst &m!"%se was to $ome forwar# an# a##ress h&m. A few wor#s of e3!%anat&on wo"%# set the matter $%ear, an# %ea# #o")t%ess to h&s )e&ng $on#"$te# to some s&#e+ #oor from wh&$h he m&ght ma(e h&s wa to h&s hote%. As the man entere# the $ham)er, howe'er, there was someth&ng so stea%th &n h&s mo'ements, an# so f"rt&'e &n h&s e3!ress&on, that the 1ng%&shman a%tere# h&s &ntent&on. Th&s was $%ear% no or#&nar off&$&a% wa%(&ng the ro"n#s. The fe%%ow wore fe%t+so%e# s%&!!ers, ste!!e# w&th a r&s&ng $hest, an# g%an$e# /"&$(% from %eft to r&ght, wh&%e h&s h"rr&e#, gas!&ng )reath&ng thr&%%e# the f%ame of h&s %am!. Vans&ttart Sm&th $ro"$he# s&%ent% )a$( &nto the $orner an# wat$he# h&m (een% , $on'&n$e# that h&s erran# was one of se$ret an# !ro)a)% s&n&ster &m!ort. There was no hes&tat&on &n the other0s mo'ements. He ste!!e# %&ght% an# sw&ft% a$ross to one of the great $ases, an#, #raw&ng a (e from h&s !o$(et, he "n%o$(e# &t. From the "!!er she%f he !"%%e# #own a m"mm , wh&$h he )ore awa w&th h&m, an# %a&# &t w&th m"$h $are an# so%&$&t"#e "!on the gro"n#. 7 &t he !%a$e# h&s %am!, an# then s/"att&ng #own )es&#e &t &n 1astern fash&on he )egan w&th %ong, /"&'er&ng f&ngers to "n#o the $ere$%oths an# )an#ages wh&$h g&rt &t ro"n#. As the $ra$(%&ng ro%%s of %&nen !ee%e# off one after the other, a strong aromat&$ o#o"r f&%%e# the $ham)er, an# fragments of s$ente# woo# an# of s!&$es !attere# #own "!on the mar)%e f%oor. It was $%ear to John Vans&ttart Sm&th that th&s m"mm ha# ne'er )een "nswathe# )efore. The o!erat&on &ntereste# h&m (een% . He thr&%%e# a%% o'er w&th $"r&os&t , an# h&s )&r#+%&(e hea# !rotr"#e# farther an# farther from )eh&n# the #oor. :hen, howe'er, the %ast ro%% ha# )een remo'e# from the fo"r+tho"san#+ ear+o%# hea#, &t was a%% that he $o"%# #o to st&f%e an o"t$r of ama,ement. F&rst, a $as$a#e of %ong, )%a$(, g%oss tresses !o"re# o'er the wor(man0s han#s an# arms. A se$on# t"rn of the )an#age re'ea%e# a %ow, wh&te forehea#, w&th a !a&r of #e%&$ate% ar$he# e e)rows. A th&r# "n$o'ere# a !a&r of )r&ght, #ee!% fr&nge# e es, an# a stra&ght, we%%+$"t nose, wh&%e a fo"rth an# %ast showe# a sweet, f"%%, sens&t&'e mo"th, an# a )ea"t&f"%% $"r'e# $h&n. The who%e fa$e was one of e3traor#&nar %o'e%&ness, sa'e for the one )%em&sh that &n the $entre of the forehea# there was a s&ng%e &rreg"%ar, $offee+$o%o"re# s!%ot$h. It was a tr&"m!h of the em)a%mer0s art. Vans&ttart Sm&th0s e es grew %arger an# %arger as he ga,e# "!on &t, an# he $h&rr"!e# &n h&s throat w&th sat&sfa$t&on. Its effe$t "!on the 1g !to%og&st was as noth&ng, howe'er, $om!are# w&th that wh&$h &t !ro#"$e# "!on the strange atten#ant. He threw h&s han#s "! &nto the a&r, )"rst &nto a harsh $%atter of wor#s, an# then, h"r%&ng h&mse%f #own "!on the gro"n# )es&#e the m"mm , he threw h&s arms ro"n# her, an# (&sse# her re!eate#% "!on the %&!s an# )row. 9Ma !et&te;9 he groane# &n Fren$h. 9Ma !a"'re !et&te;9 H&s 'o&$e )ro(e w&th emot&on, an# h&s &nn"mera)%e wr&n(%es /"&'ere# an# wr&the#, )"t the st"#ent o)ser'e# &n the %am!+%&ght that h&s sh&n&ng e es were st&%% #r an# tear%ess as two )ea#s of stee%. For some m&n"tes he %a , w&th a tw&t$h&ng fa$e, $roon&ng an# moan&ng o'er the )ea"t&f"% hea#. Then he )ro(e &nto a s"##en sm&%e, sa&# some wor#s &n an "n(nown tong"e, an# s!rang to h&s feet w&th the '&goro"s a&r of one who has )ra$e# h&mse%f for an effort. In the $entre of the room there was a %arge, $&r$"%ar $ase wh&$h $onta&ne#, as the st"#ent ha# fre/"ent% remar(e#, a magn&f&$ent $o%%e$t&on of ear% 1g !t&an r&ngs an# !re$&o"s stones. To th&s the atten#ant stro#e, an#, "n%o$(&ng &t, threw &t o!en. On the %e#ge at the s&#e he !%a$e# h&s %am!, an# )es&#e &t a sma%%, earthenware *ar wh&$h he ha# #rawn from h&s !o$(et. He then too( a han#f"% of r&ngs from the $ase, an# w&th a most ser&o"s an# an3&o"s fa$e he !ro$ee#e# to smear ea$h &n t"rn w&th some %&/"&# s")stan$e from the earthen !ot, ho%#&ng them to the %&ght as he #&# so. He was $%ear% #&sa!!o&nte# w&th the f&rst %ot, for he threw them !et"%ant% )a$( &nto the $ase

an# #rew o"t some more. One of these, a mass&'e r&ng w&th a %arge $r sta% set &n &t, he se&,e# an# eager% teste# w&th the $ontents of the *ar. Instant% he "ttere# a $r of *o , an# threw o"t h&s arms &n a w&%# gest"re wh&$h "!set the !ot an# set the %&/"&# stream&ng a$ross the f%oor to the 'er feet of the 1ng%&shman. The atten#ant #rew a re# han#(er$h&ef from h&s )osom, an#, mo!!&ng "! the mess, he fo%%owe# &t &nto the $orner, where &n a moment he fo"n# h&mse%f fa$e to fa$e w&th h&s o)ser'er. 913$"se me,9 sa&# John Vans&ttart Sm&th, w&th a%% &mag&na)%e !o%&teness. 9I ha'e )een "nfort"nate eno"gh to fa%% as%ee! )eh&n# th&s #oor.9 9An# o" ha'e )een wat$h&ng me<9 the other as(e# &n 1ng%&sh, w&th a most 'enomo"s %oo( on h&s $or!se%&(e fa$e. The st"#ent was a man of 'era$&t . 9I $onfess,9 sa&# he, 9that I ha'e not&$e# o"r mo'ements, an# that the ha'e aro"se# m $"r&os&t an# &nterest &n the h&ghest #egree.9 The man #rew a %ong, f%am)o ant+)%a#e# (n&fe from h&s )osom. 98o" ha'e ha# a 'er narrow es$a!e,9 he sa&#. 9ha# I seen o" ten m&n"tes ago, I sho"%# ha'e #r&'en th&s thro"gh o"r heart. As &t &s, &f o" to"$h me or &nterfere w&th me &n an wa o" are a #ea# man.9 9I ha'e no w&sh to &nterfere w&th o",9 the st"#ent answere#. 9M !resen$e here &s ent&re% a$$&#enta%. A%% I as( &s that o" w&%% ha'e the e3treme (&n#ness to show me o"t thro"gh some s&#e+#oor.9 He s!o(e w&th great s"a'&t , for the man was st&%% !ress&ng the t&! of h&s #agger aga&nst the !a%m of h&s %eft han#, as tho"gh to ass"re h&mse%f of &ts shar!ness, wh&%e h&s fa$e !reser'e# &ts ma%&gnant e3!ress&on. 9If I tho"ght +9 sa&# he. 97"t no, !erha!s &t &s as we%%. :hat &s o"r name<9 The 1ng%&shman ga'e &t. 9Vans&ttart Sm&th,9 the other re!eate#. 9Are o" the same Vans&ttart Sm&th who ga'e a !a!er &n 4on#on "!on 1% 2a)< I saw a re!ort of &t. 8o"r (now%e#ge of the s")*e$t &s $ontem!t&)%e.9 9S&r;9 $r&e# the 1g !to%og&st. 98et &t &s s"!er&or to that of man who ma(e e'en greater !retens&ons. The who%e (e stone of o"r o%# %&fe &n 1g !t was not the &ns$r&!t&ons or mon"ments of wh&$h o" ma(e so m"$h, )"t was o"r hermet&$ !h&%oso!h an# m st&$ (now%e#ge of wh&$h o" sa %&tt%e or noth&ng.9 9O"r o%# %&fe;9 re!eate# the s$ho%ar, w&#e+e e#. an# then s"##en% , 9Goo# Go#, %oo( at the m"mm 0s fa$e;9 The strange man t"rne# an# f%ashe# h&s %&ght "!on the #ea# woman, "tter&ng a %ong, #o%ef"% $r as he #&# so. The a$t&on of the a&r ha# a%rea# "n#one a%% the art of the em)a%mer. The s(&n ha# fa%%en awa , the e es ha# s"n( &nwar#s, the #&s$o%o"re# %&!s ha# wr&the# awa from the e%%ow teeth, an# the )rown mar( "!on the forehea# a%one showe# that &t was &n#ee# the same fa$e wh&$h ha# shown s"$h o"th an# )ea"t a few short m&n"tes )efore. The man f%a!!e# h&s han#s together &n gr&ef an# horror. Then master&ng h&mse%f ) a strong effort he t"rne# h&s har# e es on$e more "!on the 1ng%&shman. 9It #oes not matter,9 he sa&#, &n a sha(&ng 'o&$e. 9It rea%% #oes not matter. I $ame here to+n&ght w&th the f&3e# #eterm&nat&on to #o someth&ng. It &s now #one. A%% e%se "s as noth&ng. I ha'e fo"n# m /"est. The o%# $"rse &s )ro(en. I $an re*o&n her. :hat matter a)o"t her &nan&mate she%% so %ong as her s!&r&t &s awa&t&ng me at the other s&#e of the 'e&%;9 9These are w&%# wor#s,9 sa&# Vans&ttart Sm&th. He was )e$om&ng more an# more $on'&n$e# that he ha# to #o w&th a ma#man. 9T&me !resses, an# I m"st go,9 $ont&n"e# the other. 9The moment &s at han# for wh&$h I ha'e wa&te# th&s wear t&me. 7"t I m"st show o" o"t f&rst. 5ome w&th me.9

Ta(&ng "! the %am!, he t"rne# from the #&sor#ere# $ham)er, an# %e# the st"#ent sw&ft% thro"gh the %ong ser&es of the 1g !t&an, Ass r&an, an# 6ers&an a!artments. At the en# of the %atter he !"she# o!en a sma%% #oor %et &nto the wa%% an# #es$en#e# a w&n#&ng, stone sta&r. The 1ng%&shman fe%t the $o%#, fresh a&r of the n&ght "!on h&s )row. There was a #oor o!!os&te h&m wh&$h a!!eare# to $omm"n&$ate w&th the street. To the r&ght of th&s another #oor stoo# a*ar, throw&ng a s!"rt of e%%ow %&ght a$ross the !assage. 95ome &n here;9 sa&# the atten#ant short% . Vans&ttart Sm&th hes&tate#. He ha# ho!e# that he ha# $ome to the en# of h&s a#'ent"re. 8et h&s $"r&os&t was strong w&th&n h&m. He $o"%# not %ea'e the matter "nso%'e#, so he fo%%owe# h&s strange $om!an&on &nto the %&ghte# $ham)er. It was a sma%% room, s"$h as &s #e'ote# to a $on$&erge. A woo# f&re s!ar(%e# &n the grate. At one s&#e stoo# a tr"$(%e )e#, an# at the other a $oarse, woo#en $ha&r, w&th a ro"n# ta)%e &n the $entre, wh&$h )ore the rema&ns of a mea%. As the '&s&tor0s e e g%an$e# ro"n# he $o"%# not )"t remar( w&th an e'er+re$"rr&ng thr&%% that a%% the sma%% #eta&%s of the room were of the most /"a&nt #es&gn an# ant&/"e wor(mansh&!. The $an#%est&$(s, the 'ases "!on the $h&mne +!&e$e, the f&re+&rons, the ornaments "!on the wa%%s, were a%% s"$h as he ha# )een wont to asso$&ate w&th the remote !ast. The gnar%e#, hea' +e e# man sat h&mse%f #own "!on the e#ge of the )e#, an# mot&one# h&s g"est &nto the $ha&r. 9There ma )e #es&gn &n th&s,9 he sa&#, st&%% s!ea(&ng e3$e%%ent 1ng%&sh. 9It ma )e #e$ree# that I sho"%# %ea'e some a$$o"nt )eh&n# as a warn&ng to a%% rash morta%s who wo"%# set the&r w&ts "! aga&nst wor(&ngs of Nat"re. I %ea'e &t w&th o". Ma(e s"$h "se as o" w&%% of &t. I s!ea( to o" now w&th m feet "!on the thresho%# of the other wor%#. 9I am, as o" s"rm&se#, an 1g !t&an++not one of the #own+tro##en ra$e of s%a'es who now &nha)&t the -e%ta of the N&%e, )"t a s"r'&'or of that f&er$er an# har#er !eo!%e who tame# the He)rew, #ro'e the 1th&o!&an )a$( &nto the so"rthern #eserts, an# )"&%t those m&ght wor(s wh&$h ha'e )een the en' an# the won#er of a%% after generat&ons. It was &n the re&gn of T"thmos&s, s&3teen h"n#re# ears )efore the )&rth of 5hr&st, that I f&rst saw the %&ght. 8o" shr&n( awa from me. :a&t, an# o" w&%% see that I am more to )e !&t&e# than to )e feare#. 9M name was Sosra. M father ha# )een the $h&ef !r&est of Os&r&s &n the great tem!%e of a)ar&s, wh&$h stoo# &n those #a s "!on the 7")ast&$ )ran$h of the N&%e. I was )ro"ght "! &n the tem!%e an# was tra&ne# &n a%% those m st&$ arts wh&$h are s!o(en of &n o"r own 7&)%e. I was an a!t !"!&%. 7efore I was s&3teen I ha# %earne# a%% wh&$h the w&sest !r&est $o"%# tea$h me. From that t&me on I st"#&e# Nat"re0s se$rets for m se%f, an# share# m (now%e#ge w&th no man. 9Of a%% the /"est&ons wh&$h attra$te# me there were none o'er wh&$h I %a)o"re# so %ong as o'er those wh&$h $on$ern themse%'es w&th the nat"re of %&fe. I !ro)e# #ee!% &nto the '&ta% !r&n$&!%e. The a&m of me#&$&ne ha# )een to #r&'e awa #&sease when &t a!!eare#. It seeme# to me that a metho# m&ght )e #e'&se# wh&$h sho"%# so fort&f the )o# as to !re'ent wea(ness or #eath from e'er ta(&ng ho%# of &t. It &s "se%ess that I sho"%# re$o"nt m resear$hes. 8o" wo"%# s$ar$e $om!rehen# them &f I #&#. The were $arr&e# o"t !art% "!on an&ma%s, !art% "!on s%a'es, an# !art% on m se%f. S"ff&$e &t that the&r res"%t was to f"rn&sh me w&th a s")stan$e wh&$h, when &n*e$te# &nto the )%oo#, wo"%# en#ow the )o# w&th strength to res&st the effe$ts of t&me, of '&o%en$e, or of #&sease.. It wo"%# not &n#ee# $onfer &mmorta%&t , )"t &ts !oten$ wo"%# en#"re for man tho"san#s of ears. I "se# &t "!on a $at, an# afterwar#s #r"gge# the $reat"re w&th the most #ea#% !o&sons. That $at &s a%&'e &n 4ower 1g !t at the !resent moment. There was noth&ng of m ster or mag&$ &n the matter. It was s&m!% a $hem&$a% #&s$o'er , wh&$h ma we%% )e ma#e aga&n.

94o'e of %&fe r"ns h&gh &n the o"ng. It seeme# to me that I ha# )ro(en awa from a%% h"man $are now that I ha# a)o%&she# !a&n an# #r&'en #eath to s"$h a #&stan$e. :&th a %&ght heart I !o"re# the a$$"rse# st"ff &nto m 'e&ns. Then I %oo(e# ro"n# for someone whom I $o"%# )enef&t. There was a o"ng !r&est of Thoth, 6armes ) name, who ha# won m goo#w&%% ) h&s earnest nat"re an# h&s #e'ot&on to h&s st"#&es. To h&m I wh&s!ere# m se$ret, an# at h&s re/"est I &n*e$te# h&m w&th m e%&3&r. I sho"%# now, I ref%e$te#, ne'er )e w&th o"t a $om!an&on of the same age as m se%f. 9After th&s gran# #&s$o'er I re%a3e# m st"#&es to some e3tent, )"t 6armes $ont&n"e# h&s w&th re#o")%e# energ . 1'er #a I $o"%# see h&m wor(&ng w&th h&s f%as(s an# h&s #&st&%%er &n the Tem!%e of Thoth, )"t he sa&# %&tt%e to me as to the res"%t of h&s %a)o"rs. For m own !art, I "se# to wa%( thro"gh the $&t an# %oo( aro"n# me w&th e3"%tat&on as I ref%e$te# that a%% th&s was #est&ne# to !ass awa , an# that on% I sho"%# rema&n. The !eo!%e wo"%# )ow to me as the !asse# me, for the fame of m (now%e#ge ha# gone a)roa#. 9 There was war at th&s t&me, an# the Great 2&ng ha# sent #own h&s so%#&ers to the eastern )o"n#ar to #r&'e awa the H (sos. A Go'ernor, too, was sent to A)ar&s, that he m&ght ho%# &t for the 2&ng. I ha# hear# m"$h of the )ea"t of the #a"ghter of th&s Go'ernor, )"t one #a as I wa%(e# o"t w&th 6armes we met her, )orne "!on the sho"%#ers of her s%a'es. I was str"$( w&th %o'e as w&th %&ghtn&ng. M heart went o"t from me. I $o"%# ha'e thrown m se%f )eneath the feet of her )earers. Th&s was m woman. 4&fe w&tho"t her was &m!oss&)%e. I swore ) the hea# of Hor"s that she sho"%# )e m&ne. I swore &t to the 6r&est of Thoth. He t"rne# awa f rom me w&th a )row wh&$h was as )%a$( as m&#n&ght. There &s no nee# to te%% o" of o"r woo&ng. She $ame to %o'e me e'en as I %o'e# her. I %earne# that 6armes ha# seen her )efore I #&#, an# ha# shown her that he, too, %o'er her, )"t I $o"%# sm&%e at h&s !ass&on, for I (new that her heart was m&ne. The wh&te !%ag"e ha# $ome "!on the $&t an# man were str&$(en, )"t I %a&# m han#s "!on the s&$( an# n"rse# them w&tho"t fear or s$athe. She mar'e%%e# at m #ar&ng. Then I to%# her m se$ret, an# )egge# her that she wo"%# %et me "se m art "!on her. 908o"r f%ower sha%% then )e "nw&there#, Atma,0 I sa&#. 0Other th&ngs ma !ass awa , )"t o" an# I, an# o"r great %o'e for ea$h other, sha%% o"t%&'e the tom) of 2&ng 5hefr".0 97"t she was f"%% of t&m&#, ma&#en% o)*e$t&ons. :as &t r&ght<0 she as(e#, 0was &t not a thwart&ng of the w&%% of the go#s< If the great Os&r&s ha# w&she# that o"r ears sho"%# )e so %ong, wo"%# he not h&mse%f ha'e )ro"ght &t a)o"t<0 9:&th fon# an# %o'&ng wor#s I o'er$ame her #o")ts, an# et she hes&tate#. It was a great /"est&on, she sa&#. She wo"%# th&n( &t o'er for th&s one n&ght. In the morn&ng I sho"%# (now of her reso%"t&on. S"re% one n&ght was not too m"$h to as(. She w&she# to !ra to Is&s for he%! &n her #e$&s&on. 9:&th a s&n(&ng heart an# a sa# fore)o#&ng of e'&% I %eft her w&th her t&rewomen. In the morn&ng, when the ear% sa$r&f&$e was o'er, I h"rr&e# to her ho"se. A r&ghtene# s%a'e met me "!on the ste!s. Her m&stress was &%%, she sa&#, 'er &%%. In a fren, I )ro(e m wa thro"gh the atten#ants, an# r"she# thro"gh ha%% an# $orr&#or to m Atma0s $ham)er. She %a "!on her $o"$h, her hea# h&gh "!on the !&%%ow, w&th a !a%%&# fa$e an# g%a,e# e e. On her forehea# there )%a,e# a s&ng%e angr , !"r!%e !at$h. I (new that he%%+mar( of o%#. It was the s$ar of t he wh&te !%ag"e, the s&gn+ man"a% of #eath. 9:h sho"%# I s!ea( of that terr&)%e t&me< For months I was ma#, fe'ere#, #e%&r&o"s, an# et I $o"%# not #&e. Ne'er #&# an Ara) th&rst after the sweet we%%s as I %onge# after #eath. 5o"%# !o&son or stee% ha'e shortene# the threa# of m e3&sten$e, I sho"%# soon ha'e re*o&ne# m %o'e &n the %an# w&th the narrow !orta%. I tr&e#, )"t &t was of no a'a&%. The a$$"rse# &nf%"en$e was too strong

"!on me. One n&ght as I %a "!on m $o"$h, wea( an# wear , 6armes, the !r&est of Thoth, $ame to m $ham)er. He stoo# &n the $&r$%e of the %am!+%&ght, an# he %oo(e# #own "!on me w&th e es wh&$h were )r&ght w&th a ma# *o . 9 0:h #&# o" %et the ma&#en #&e<9 he as(e#. 0wh #&# o" not strengthen her as o" strengthene# me<0 9 0I was too %ate,0 I answere#. 07"t I ha# forgot. 8o" a%so %o'e# her. 8o" are m fe%%ow &n m&sfort"ne. Is &t not terr&)%e to th&n( of the $ent"r&es wh&$h m"st !ass ere we %oo( "!on her aga&n Foo%s, foo%s, that we were to ta(e #eath to )e o"r enem ;0 9 08o" ma sa that,0 he $r&e# w&th a w&%# %a"gh. 0The wor#s $ome we%% from o"r %&!s. For me the ha'e no mean&ng.0 9 0:hat mean o"< I $r&e#, ra&s&ng m se%f "!on m e%)ow. 0S"re% , fr&en#, th&s gr&ef has t"rne# o"r )ra&n.0 H&s fa$e was af%ame w&th *o , an# he wr&the# an# shoo( %&(e one who hath a #e'&%. 9 0-o o" (now wh&ther I go<0 he as(e#. 9 0Na ,0 I answere#, 0I $annot te%%.0 9 0I go to her,0 sa&# he. 0she %&es em)a%me# &n the farther tom) ) the #o")%e !a%m+tree )e on# the $&t wa%%.0 9 0:h #o o" go there<0 I $r&e#. 9 0To #&e;0 he shr&e(e#, 0to #&e; I am not )o"n# ) earthen fetters.0 9 07"t the e%&3&r &s &n o"r )%oo#,0 I $r&e#. 9 0I $an #ef &t,0 sa&# he. 0I ha'e fo"n# a stronger !r&n$&!%e wh&$h w&%% #estro &t. It &s wor(&ng &n m 'e&ns at th&s moment, an# &n an ho"r I sha%% )e a #ea# man. I sha%% *o&n her, an# o" sha%% rema&n )eh&n#.0 9As I %oo(e# "!on h&m I $o"%# see that he s!o(e wor#s of tr"th. The %&ght &n h&s e e to%# me that he was &n#ee# )e on# the !ower of the e%&3&r. 9 08o" w&%% tea$h me;0 I $r&e#. 9 0Ne'er;0 he answere#. 9 0I &m!%ore o", ) the w&s#om of Thoth, ) the ma*est of An")&s;0 9 0It &s "se%ess,0 he sa&# $o%#% . 9 0Then I w&%% f&n# &t o"t,0 I $r&e#. 9 08o" $annot,0 he answere#. 0&t $ame to me ) $han$e. There &s one &ngre#&ent wh&$h o" $an ne'er get. Sa'e that wh&$h &s &n the r&ng of Thoth, none w&%% e'er more )e ma#e.0 9 0In the r&ng of Thoth;0 I re!eate#, 0where then &s the r&ng of Thoth<0 9 0That a%so o" sha%% ne'er (now,0 he answere#. 08o" won her %o'e. :ho has won &n the en#< I %ea'e o" to o"r sor#&# earth %&fe. M $ha&ns are )ro(en. I m"st go;0 He t"rne# "!on h&s hee% an# f%e# from the $ham)er. In the morn&ng $ame the news that the 6r&est of Thoth was #ea#. 9M #a s after that were s!ent &n st"# . I m"st f&n# th&s s")t%e !o&son wh&$h was strong eno"gh to "n#o the e%&3&r. From ear% #awn to m&#n&ght I )ent o'er the test+t")e an# the f"rna$e. A)o'e a%%, I $o%%e$te# the !a! r& an# the $hem&$a% f%as(s of the 6r&est of Thoth. A%as; the ta"ght me %&tt%e. Here an# there some h&nt or stra e3!ress&on wo"%# ra&se ho!e &n m )osom, )"t no goo# e'er $ame of &t. St&%% month after month, I str"gg%e# on. :hen m heart grew fa&nt I wo"%# ma(e m wa to the tom) ) the !a%m+trees. There, stan#&ng ) the #ea# $as(et from wh&$h the *ewe% ha# )een r&f%e#, I wo"%# fee% her sweet !resen$e, an# wo"%# wh&s!er to her that I wo"%# re*o&n her &f morta% w&t $o"%# so%'e the r&##%e. 96armes ha# sa&# that h&s #&s$o'er was $onne$te# w&th the r&ng of Thoth. I ha# some remem)ran$e of the tr&n(et. It was a %arge an# we&ght $&r$%et, ma#e, not of go%#, )"t of a rarer an# hea'&er meta% )ro"ght from the m&nes of Mo"nt Har)a%. 6%at&n"m, o" $a%% &t. The r&ng ha#, I

remem)ere#, a ho%%ow $r sta% set &n &t, &n wh&$h some few #ro!s of %&/"&# m&ght )e store#. Now, the se$ret of 6armes $o"%# not ha'e to #o w&th the meta% a%one, for there were man r&ngs of that meta% &n the Tem!%e. :as &t not more %&(e% that he ha# store# h&s !re$&o"s !o&son w&th&n the $a'&t of the $r sta%< I ha# s$ar$e $ome to th&s $on$%"s&on )efore, &n h"nt&ng thro"gh h&s !a!ers, I $ame "!on one wh&$h to%# me that &t was &n#ee# so, an# that there was st&%% some of the %&/"&# "n"se#. 97"t how to f&n# the r&ng< It was not "!on h&m when he was str&!!e# for the em)a%mer. Of that I ma#e s"re. Ne&ther was &t among h&s !r&'ate effe$ts. In 'a&n I sear$he# e'er room that he ha# entere#, e'er )o3 an# 'ase an# $hatte% that he ha# owne#. I s&fte# the 'er san# of the #esert &n !%a$es where he ha# )een wont to wa%(. )"t, #o what I wo"%#, I $o"%# $ome "!on no tra$es of the r&ng of Thoth. 8et &t ma )e that m %a) o"rs wo"%# ha'e o'er$ome a%% o)sta$%es ha# &t not )een for a new an# "n%oo(e#+for m&sfort"ne. 9A great war ha# )een wage# aga&nst the H (sos, an# the 5a!ta&ns of the Great 2&ng ha# )een $"t off &n the #esert, w&th a%% the&r )owmen an# horsemen. The she!her# tr&)es were "!on "s %&(e the %o$"sts &n a #r ear. From the w&%#erness of Sh"r to the great, )&tter %a(e there was )%oo# ) #a an# f&re ) n&ght. A)ar&s was the )"%war( of 1g !t, )"t we $o"%# not (ee! the sa'ages )a$(. The $&t fe%%. The Go'ernor an# the so%#&ers were !"t to the swor#, an# I, w&th man more was %e# awa &nto $a!t&'&t . 9For ears an# ears I ten#e# $att%e &n the great !%a&ns ) the 1"!hrates. M master #&e#, an# h&s son grew o%#, )"t I was st&%% as far from #eath as e'er. At %ast I es$a!e# "!on a sw&ft $ame%, an# ma#e m wa )a$( to 1g !t. The H (sos ha# sett%e# &n the %an# wh&$h the ha# $on/"ere#, an# the&r own 2&ng r"%e# o'er the $o"ntr . A)ar&s ha# )een torn #own, the $&t ha# )een )"rne#, an# the great Tem!%e there was noth&ng %eft sa'e an "ns&ght% mo"n#. 1'er where the tom)s ha# )een r&f%e# an# the mon"ments #estro e#. Of m Atma0s gra'e no s&gn was %eft. It was )"r&e# &n the san#s of the #esert, an# the !a%m+trees wh&$h mar(e# the s!ot ha# %ong #&sa!!eare#. The !a!ers of 6armes an# the rema&ns of the Tem!%e of Thoth were e&ther #estro e# or s$attere# far an# w&#e o'er the #eserts of S r&a. A%% sear$h after them was 'a&n. 9From that t&me I ga'e "! a%% ho!e of e'er f&n#&ng the r&ng or #&s$o'er&ng the s")t%e #r"g. I set m se%f to %&'e as !at&ent% as m&ght )e "nt&% the effe$t of the e%&3&r sho"%# wear awa . How $an o" "n#erstan# how terr&)%e a th&ng t&me &s, o" who ha'e e3!er&en$e on% of the narrow $o"rse wh&$h %&es )etween the $ra#%e an# the gra'e; I (now &t to m $ost, I who ha'e f%oate# #own the who%e stream of h&stor . I was o%# when &%&"m fe%%. I was 'er o%# when Hero#ot"s $ame to Mem!h&s. I was )owe# #own w&th ears when the new gos!e% $ame "!on earth. 8et o" see me m"$h as other men are, w&th the $"rse# e%&3&r st&%% sweeten&ng m )%oo#, an# g"ar#&ng me aga&nst that wh&$h I wo"%# $o"rt. Now, at %ast, at %ast I ha'e $ome to the en# of &t; 9I ha'e tra'e%%e# &n a%% %an#s an# I ha'e #we%t w&th a%% nat&ons. 1'er tong"e &s the same to me. I %earne# them a%% to he%! !ass the wear t&me. I nee# not te%% o" how s%ow% the #r&fte# ) , the %ong #awn of mo#ern $&'&%&,at&on, the #rear m&##%e ears, the #ar( t&mes of )ar)ar&sm. The are a%% )eh&n# me now. I ha'e ne'er %oo(e# w&th the e es of %o'e "!on another woman. Atma (nows that I ha'e )een $onstant to her. 9It was m $"stom to rea# a%% that the s$ho%ars ha# to sa "!on An$&ent 1g !t. I ha'e )een &n man !os&t&ons, somet&mes aff%"ent, somet&mes !oor, )"t I ha'e a%wa s fo"n# eno"gh to ena)%e me to )" the *o"rna%s wh&$h #ea% w&th s"$h matters. Some n&ne months ago I was &n San Fran$&s$o, when I rea# an a$$o"nt of some #&s$o'er&es ma#e &n the ne&gh)o"rhoo# of A)ar&s. M heart %ea!t &nto m mo"th as I rea# &t. It sa&# that the e3$a'ator ha# )"s&e# h&mse%f &n e3!%or&ng some tom)s re$ent% "nearth. In one there ha# )een fo"n# an "no!ene# m"mm w&th an &ns$r&!t&on "!on the o"ter $ase sett&ng forth that &t $onta&ne# the )o# of the #a"ghter of the

Go'ernor of the $&t &n the #a s of T"thmos&s. It a##e# that on remo'&ng the o"ter $ase there ha# )een e3!ose# a %arge !%at&n"m r&ng set w&th a $r sta%, wh&$h ha# )een %a&# "!on the )reast of the em)a%me# woman. Th&s, then, was where 6armes ha# h&# the r&ng of Thoth. He m&ght we%% sa that &t was safe, for no 1g !t&an wo"%# e'er sta&n h&s so"% ) mo'&ng e'en the o"ter $ase of a )"r&e# fr&en#. 9That 'er n&ght I set off from San Fran$&s$o, an# &n a few wee(s I fo"n# m se%f on$e more at A)ar&s, &f a few san#+hea!s an# $r"m)%&ng wa%%s ma reta&n the name of the great $&t . I h"rr&e# to the Fren$hmen who were #&gg&ng there an# as(e# them for the r&ng. The re!%&e# that )oth the r&ng an# the m"mm ha# )een sent to the 7o"%a( M"se"m at 5a&ro. To 7o"%a( I went, )"t on% to )e to%# that Mar&ette 7e ha# $%a&me# them an# ha# sh&!!e# them to the 4o"'re. I fo%%owe# them, an# there, at %ast, &n the 1g !t&an $ham)er, I $ame, after $%ose "!on fo"r tho"san# ears, "!on the rema&ns of m Atma, an# "!on the r&ng for wh&$h I ha# so"ght so %ong. 97"t how was I to %a han#s "!on them< How was I to ha'e them for m 'er own< It $han$e# that the off&$e of atten#ant was 'a$ant. I went to the -&re$tor. I $on'&n$e# h&m that I (new m"$h a)o"t 1g !t. In m eagerness I sa&# too m"$h. He remar(e# that a 6rofessor0s $ha&r wo"%# s"&t me )etter than a seat &n the $on$&erger&e. I (new more, he sa&#, than he #&#. It was on% ) )%"n#er&ng, an# %ett&ng h&m th&n( that he ha# o'er+est&mate# m (now%e#ge, that I !re'a&%e# "!on h&m to %et me mo'e the few effe$ts wh&$h I ha'e reta&ne# &nto th&s $ham)er. It &s m f&rst an# m %ast n&ght here. 9S"$h &s m stor , Mr. Vans&ttart Sm&th. I nee# not sa more to a man of o"r !er$e!t&on. 7 a strange $han$e o" ha'e th&s n&ght %oo(e# "!on the fa$e of the woman whom I %o'e# &n those far+off #a s. There were man r&ngs w&th $r sta%s &n the $ase, an# I ha# to test for the !%at&n"m to )e s"re of the one wh&$h I wante#. A g%an$e at the $r sta% has shown me that the %&/"&# &s &n#ee# w&th&n &t, an# that I sha%% at %ast )e a)%e to sha(e off that a$$"rse# hea%th wh&$h has )een worse to me than the fo"%est #&sease. I ha'e noth&ng more to sa to o". I ha'e "n)"r#ene# m se%f. 8o" ma te%% m stor or o" ma w&thho%# &t at o"r !%eas"re. The $ho&$e rests w&th o". I owe o" some amen#s, for o" ha'e ha# a narrow es$a!e of o"r %&fe th&s n&ght. I was a #es!erate man, an# not to )e )a%(e# &n m !"r!ose. Ha# I seen o" )efore the th&ng was #one, I m&ght ha'e !"t &t )e on# o"r !ower to o!!ose me or. to ra&se an a%arm. Th&s &s the #oor. It %ea#s &nto the R"e #e R&'o%&. Goo# n&ght.9 The 1ng%&shman g%an$e# )a$(. For a moment the %ean f&g"re of Sosra the 1g !t&an stoo# frame# &n the narrow #oorwa . The ne3t the #oor ha# s%amme#, an# the hea' ras!&ng of the )o%t )ro(e on the s&%ent n&ght. It was on the se$on# #a after h&s ret"rn to 4on#on that Mr. John Vans&ttart Sm&th saw the fo%%ow&ng $on$&se narrat&'e &n the 6ar&s $orres!on#en$e of The T&mes= + 95"r&o"s O$$"rren$e &n the 4o"'re. + 8ester#a morn&ng a strange #&s$o'er was ma#e &n the !r&n$&!a% 1astern $ham)er. The o"'r&ers who are em!%o e# to $%ean o"t the rooms &n the morn&ng fo"n# one of the atten#ants %a &ng #ea# "!on the f%oor w&th h&s arms fo"n# one of the m"mm&es. So $%ose was h&s em)ra$e that &t was on% w&th the "tmost #&ff&$"%t that the were se!arate#. One of the $ases $onta&n&ng 'a%"a)%e r&ngs ha# )een o!ene# an# r&f%e#. The a"thor&t&es are of o!&n&on that the man was )ear&ng awa the m"mm w&th some &#ea of se%%&ng &t to a !r&'ate $o%%e$tor, )"t that he was str"$( #own &n the 'er a$t ) %ong+stan#&ng #&sease of the heart. It &s sa&# that he was a man of "n$erta&n age an# e$$entr&$ ha)&ts, w&tho"t an %&'&ng re%at&ons to mo"rn o'er h&s #ramat&$ an# "nt&me% en#.9 >1N-? @!re!are# ) M&(e 2eat&ngA