"Theoldastronomermustencounterhim！"exclaimedSirTiglath，puffingfuriouslyasherolledabouttheroom。
　　"Mr。Vivianwillarrangeit，"LadyEnidsaid，withsparklingeyes，"atMrs。Bridgeman’s。That’sabargain。Come，Mr。Vivian！"
　　AndalmostbeforetheProphetknewwhatshewasdoing，shehadmaneuveredhimoutintoKensingtonSquare，andwaspioneeringhimswiftlytowardstheHighstreet。
　　"We’lltakeahansomhome，"shesaidgaily，"andthemancandriveasfastaseverhelikes。"
　　InhalfaminutetheProphetfoundhimselfinahansom，bowlingalongtowardsMayfair。Thefirstwordshesaid，whenhewasabletospeak，were，——
　　"Why——Mr。Sagittarius——oh，why？"
　　LadyEnidsmiledhappily。
　　"ItjuststruckmewhileIwastalkingtoSirTiglaththatIwouldintroduceMr。Sagittariusintotheaffair。"
　　"Oh，why？"
　　"Why——becauseitseemedsuchanutterlysillythingtodo，"sheanswered。"Didn’tit？"
　　TheProphetwassilent。
　　"Didn’tit？"sherepeated。"AthingworthyofMissMinerva。"
　　ItseemedtotheProphetjustthenasifMissMinervaweregoingtowreckhislifeandpreparehimaccuratelyforafutureinBedlam。
　　"Andbesidesyouwouldn’ttellmewhoMr。Sagittariuswas，"sheadded。
　　TheProphetbegantorealisethatitisverydangerousindeedtodenythecuriosityofawoman。
　　"Whatamercyitis，"LadyEnidcontinuedlightly，"thatMalkielisasyndicate，insteadofaman。Ifhewasn’t，andSirTiglathevergottoknowhim，hewouldtrytomurderhim，andhowfoolishthatwouldbe！Itwouldberatheramusing，though，toseeSirTiglathdoathoroughlyfoolishthing，wouldn’tit！"
　　TheProphet’sbloodrancoldinthecab，ashebegan，forthefirsttime，toseeclearlyintotheelaboratemindofMissMinerva，intothecuriouslydeliberatecomplicationsofadefiniteanddeterminedfolly。
　　HeperceivedthedangerthatthreatenedtheprophetwhodweltbesidetheMouse，buthehadrecoveredhimselfbythistimesufficientlytomeetcraftwithcraft。Andhethereforeansweredcarelessly，——
　　"Yes，itisluckythatMalkiel’sasyndicate。"
　　WhentheyreachedHillstreetLadyEnidsaid，——
　　"I’msomuchobligedtoyou，Mr。Vivian，forallyou’vedoneforMissMinerva。"
　　"Notatall。"
　　"ThenextstepistointroduceyoutoMrs。Bridgeman，andyoucanintroducehertoMr。Sagittarius。ThenI’llintroduceSirTiglathtoherandshewillintroduceMr。Sagittariustohim。Itallworksoutsobeautifully！Thankyouathousandtimes。You’llhearfromme。ProbablyI’llgiveyouyourdirectionshowtoactto—morrow。Good—night。"
　　TheProphetdroveontoBerkeleySquare，feelingthat，betweenMr。andMadameSagittariusandMissMinerva，hewasbeingrapidlydirectedtohisdoom。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THEPROPHETISINTERVIEWEDBYTWOKIDS
　　Mr。FerdinandmettheProphetinthehall。
　　"Ihavedoneasyoudirected，sir，"hesaidrespectfully。
　　"AsIdirected，Mr。Ferdinand？IwasnotawarethatIeverdirectedanybody，"repliedtheProphet，suspectingirony。
　　"Iunderstoodyoutosay，sir，thatifanymoretelegramswastoarrive，Iwastoburnthem，sir。"
　　"Telegrams！GoodHeavens！Youdon’tmeantosaythat——"
　　"Therehasbeensomeseventeenoreighteen，sir。Ihaveburntthem，sir，toashes，accordingtoyourorders。"
　　"Quiteright，Mr。Ferdinand，"saidtheProphet，puttinghishanduptohishair，tofeelifitwereturninggrey。"Quiteright。Howis——how，I
　　say，isMrs。Merillia？"
　　"Well，MasterHennessey，she’snotdeadyet。"
　　AndMr。Ferdinand，withacontortedcountenancemovedtowardstheservants’hall。
　　TheProphetstoodquitestillwithhishatandcoatonforseveralminutes。Anamazingself—possessionhadcometohim，theunnaturalself—possessionofdespair。Hefeltquitecalm，asthestatueofadeadaldermanfeelsontheembankmentofitsnativecity。Nothingseemedtomatteratall。HemighthavebeenMarcusAurelius——tillalouddoubleknockcametothefrontdoor。Thenhemighthavebeenanydangerouslunatic，ripeforastraitwaistcoat。Mr。Ferdinandapproached。TheProphetfacedhim。
　　"Kindlyretire，Mr。Ferdinand，"hesaidinaveryquietvoice。"Iwillanswerthatknock。"
　　Mr。Ferdinandretiredratherrapidly。Theknockwasrepeated。TheProphetopenedthedoor。Atelegraphboy，abouttwoandahalffeethigh，stoodoutsideuponthestep。
　　"Telegram，sir，"hesaidinathinvoice。
　　"Giveittome，mylad，"repliedtheProphet。
　　Thesmallboyhandedthetelegramandturnedtodepart。
　　"Waitamoment，mylad，"saidtheProphet，verygently。
　　Thesmallboywaited。
　　"Doyouwishtobestrangled，mylad？"askedtheProphet。
　　Thesmallboytriedtorecoil，buthisterrorrootedhimfirmlytothespot。
　　"Doalltheotherboysattheofficewishtobestrangled？"continuedtheProphet。"Come，mylad，whydon’tyouanswerme？"
　　"No，sir，"whisperedthesmallboy，passinghislittletongueoverhispalelips。
　　"Verywell，mylad，thenextboywhobringsatelegramtothishousewillbestrangled，doyouunderstandthat？"
　　"Yes，sir，"sighedthesmallboy，likeaterror—strickenZephyr。
　　"That’sright。Good—night，mylad。"
　　TheProphetclosedthestreetdoorverysoftly，andthesmallboydroppedfaintingonthepavementandwascarriedtothenearesthospitalonastretcherbytwodutifulpolicemen。
　　MeanwhiletheProphetopenedthetelegramandreadasfollows：——
　　"Insufferableinsolence。Howdareyou；shallpaydearly；withyouto—morrowfirst’bus。
　　"JUPITERANDMADAMESAGITTARIUS。"
　　"Mr。Ferdinand！"calledtheProphet。
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"Iamabouttowriteatelegram。Gustavuswilltakeittotheoffice。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　TheProphetwentintothelibraryandwrotethesewordsonatelegraphform：——
　　"JupiterSagittarius，SagittariusLodge，CramptonSt。Peter，N。
　　Yourlifeisindanger；keepwhereyouare；anothertelegrammaydestroyyou。Gravenews。
　　"VIVIAN。"
　　TheProphetgavethistelegramtoGustavusandthenpreparedtogoupstairstohisgrandmother。Ashemountedtowardsthedrawing—roomhemurmuredtohimselfoverandoveragain，——
　　"SirTiglath——Malkiel！Malkiel——SirTiglath！"
　　HefoundMrs。Merilliaveryprostrate。Itseemedthatthetelegraphboyshadverysoonwornthroughthecotton—woolwithwhichtheknockerhadbeenshrouded，andthattheincessantnoiseoftheireffortstoattractattentionatthedoorhadquiteunnervedthegallantoldlady。
　　Nevertheless，herownconditionwasthelastthingshethoughtof。
　　"Idon’tmindformyself，Hennessey，"shesaid。"Butitisverysadafteralltheseyearsofrespectandeven，Ithink，acertainpopularity，tobeconsideredanuisancebyone’ssquare。WearehopelesslyembroiledwiththeDuchessofCamberwell，andtheLordChancellorhassentoverfivetimestoexplainthedifferentlawsandregulationsthatwearebreaking。Idon’tseehowyoucangotohisReceptionto—night，really。"
　　"Iamnotgoing，grannie，"saidtheProphet，overwhelmedwithcontrition。"Icannotgoinanycase。"
　　"Whynot？"
　　"I——Ihavesomeworktodoathome。"
　　Heavoidedtheglanceofherbrighteyes，andcontinued。
　　"Grannie，Iamdeeplygrievedatallyouhavegonethroughto—day。
　　Believemeithasnotbeenmyfault——atleastnotentirely。Imayhavebeeninjudicious，butInever——never——"
　　Hepaused，quiteovercomewithemotion。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatwillhappenifthetelegramsgoontillmidnight，"
　　saidMrs。Merillia。"TheDukeofCamberwellisaveryviolentman，sincehehadthatsunstrokeatthelastJubilee，andIshouldn’twonderifhe——"
　　"Grannie，therewillnotbeanymoretelegrams。"
　　"Butyousaidthatbefore，Hennessey。"
　　"AndIsayitagain。Therewillnotbeanymore。Ihavejustinformedthemessengerthatthenextboywhoknockswillcertainlybe——well，destroyed。"
　　Mrs。Merilliabreathedasighofrelief。
　　"Iamsothankful，Hennessey。Areyoudiningoutto—night？"
　　"No，grannie。Idon’tfeelverywell。Ihaveaheadache。Ishallgoandliedownforalittle。"
　　"Yes，do。Everybodyislyingdown；Fancy，theupperhousemaid，thecook。EvenGustavus，theytellme，istryingtosnatchalittleuneasyreposeonhiswhat—not。Ithasbeenaterribleday。"
　　Mrs。Merillialaybackandclosedhereyes，andtheProphet，overwhelmedwithremorse，retiredtohisroom，laydownandstareddesperatelyatnothingforhalfanhour。Hethenate，withaverypoorappetite，amorselofdinnerandpreparedtotake，ifpossible，ashortnapbeforestartingonthelaboursofthenight。AshegotupfromthediningtabletogoupstairshesaidtoMr。Ferdinand，——
　　"Bytheway，Mr。Ferdinand，ifIshouldcomeintothepantryagainto—
　　night，don’tbealarmed。ImaychancetorequireabradawlasIdidlastnight。Kindlyleaveoneout，incaseIshould。Butyouneednotsitup。"
　　AstheProphetsaidthelastwordshelookedMr。Ferdinandfullintheface。Thebutler’seyesfell。
　　"Thankyou，MasterHennessey，Ishallbegladtogettobed——entirelytobed——ingoodtime。Weareallabitupsetinthekit——thatisthehallto—day。"
　　"Justso。Retiretorestatonceifyoulike。"
　　"Thankyou，sir。"
　　"Gustavus，"saidMr。Ferdinand，amomentlaterintheservants’hall，"youareamanoftheworld，Ibelieve。"
　　Gustavusrousedhimselfonhiswhat—not。
　　"Iam，Mr。Ferdinand，"hereplied，inapaleandexhaustedmanner。
　　"Thentellme，Gustavus，haveyoueverlivedinservicewithagentlemanwhowaspartialtoabradawl——ofanight，youunderstand？"
　　"No，never，Mr。Ferdinand。ThenearesttoiteverIgotwastheBishopofClapham。"
　　"Explainyourself，Gustavus，Ibeg。"
　　"Heusedtoaskforanipsometimesbeforeretiring，Mr。Ferdinand。"
　　"Anip，Gustavus？"
　　"Warmwater，withasliceoftoastinit。Buthewasonlywhattheycallasuburbanbishop，Mr。Ferdinand。"
　　"Ah！anipishardlyonallfourswithabradawl，Gustavus。"
　　"P’r’apsnot，Mr。Ferdinand，butit’sthenearesteverIgottoit。"
　　Mr。Ferdinandsaidnomore，butwhenheretiredtorestthatnighthedouble—lockedhisdoor，anddreamtofbradawlstillhewoke，unrefreshed，thenextmorningtofindtheareafulloftelegrams。
　　MeanwhiletheProphetwasconscientiouslyfulfillinghispromiseandkeepingtheoathhehadpledgedhishonourover，althoughhehadtoworkunderagravedisadvantageinthetotallossofhisplanisphere，orstar—map。
　　Heenteredthebutler’spantrypreciselyonthestrokeofeleven，andfoundit，tohisgreatrelief，untenanted。Thedwarfwasnolongeratthetelescope，andthesilenceintheregiondedicatedtoMrs。
　　Merillia’smenialswasprofound。Thenight，too，wasclearandstarry，propitiousforpropheticlabours，andastheProphetgazedoutuponthedesertedsquarethroughtheopenwindowastrangepeacedescendeduponhisfeveredsoul。Nature，withallhershiningmysteries，herdistantreticencesandrevelations，calmedtheturmoilwithinhim。Helookeduponthearearailingsanduponthesky，andsmiled。
　　Thenhelookedforthestar—map。Heperceivedinaveryprominentpositionuponasilversalver，thebradawllaidout，accordingtoorder，bytheobedientMr。Ferdinand。Heperceivedalsotheopenpotof"Butler’sOwnSpecialPomade，"buttheplanispherehadbeenremovedfromit。Wherecouldithavebeenbestowed？TheProphetinstitutedacarefulsearch。Heexploredcupboards，drawers——suchatleastaswereunlocked——invain。Heglancedintoasilverteapotreposingonashelf，betweenthepagesofanalmanachangingonthewall，amongsomebacknumbersofthe/Butler’sGazette/，whichwerelyinginacorner。Buttheplanispherewasnowheretobefound，andatlastindespairheresolvedtodowithoutit，andtotrusttohisfairlyaccurateknowledgeoftheheavens。He，therefore，tookuphisstationbythewindowandproceededtoextractfromthepocketofhissmoking—jackettheaccount—bookinwhichhehaddotteddownthedirectionsof"Madameandself。"Theywereveryvague，forhisdotshadbeenagitated。Still，bythehelpoftheGeorgetheThirdcandlestick，inwhichwasalightedtaper，theProphetwasabletomakeoutenoughtorefreshhismemory。
　　Hewastobeginbyplacinghisbelovedgrandmotherintheclawsofthecrab。Leaninguponthesillofthewindowhefoundthecraband——
　　breathingashortprayerforforgiveness——committedhisdearrelationtoitsoffices。Hethenretreatedand，assumingverymuchthepositionofMr。Ferdinand，appliedhisrighteyetothetelescope，atthesametimeholdinghislefteyefirmlyshutwiththeforefingerofhislefthand。Atoncethemajestyofthestarryheavensburstuponhiminallitsglory。
　　Exactlyathalf—pastoneo’clock，twohoursandahalflater，theenthralledProphetheardalowwhistlewhichseemedtoreachhimfromthesquare。Hewithdrewhisfascinatedrighteyefromthetelescopeandendeavouredtouseitinanordinarymanner，buthecouldatfirstseenothing。Thelowwhistlewasrepeated。Itcertainlydidcomefromthesquare，andtheProphetapproachedtheopenwindowandoncemoretriedtocompeltheeyethathadlookedsolonguponthestarstogazewithunderstandingupontheearth。Thistimeheperceivedablackthing，likeablot，aboutsixfeethigh，beyondthearearailings。Fromthisblotcameathirdwhistle。TheProphet，whowasstilldazedbythefascinationofstar—gazing，mechanicallywhistledinreply，whereupontheblotwhisperedathimhuskily，——
　　"Atitagain，areyou？"
　　"Yes，"whisperedtheProphet，alsohuskily，forthenightairwascold。
　　"Buthowshouldyouknow？"
　　Indeedhewondered；anditseemedtohimasiftheblotweresomestrangenightthingthatmusthavecompanionedhim，invisibly，whenhekepthisnocturnalwatchesinthedrawing—room，andthatnowpartiallyrevealeditselftohiminthe，perhaps，moreacutelyoccultregionofthebasement。
　　"HowshouldIknow！"rejoinedtheblotwithobvious，thoughveryhoarse，irony。"Whateverd’youtakemefor？"
　　TheProphetbegantowonder，butbeforehehadgoneonwonderingformorethanabouthalfaminute，theblotcontinued，——
　　"She’sgonetobed。"
　　"Iknowshehas，"saidtheProphet，presumingthattheblot，whichseemedinstinctwithallknowledge，wasreferringtohisgrandmother。
　　"Butsheknowsyou’reatitagain，"continuedtheblot。
　　TheProphetstartedviolentlyandleaneduponthewindow—sill。
　　"No！Howcanthatbe？"heejaculated。
　　"Ho！Themgirlsknowseverything，especiallytheolduns，"saidtheblot，withanaudiblechuckle。
　　"Goodgracious！"gaspedtheProphet，overwhelmedatthismysteriousvisitant’sfamiliardescriptionofhisreveredgrandmother。
　　"Haveyouseenherto—night？"inquiredtheblot，controllingitsmerriment。
　　"Yes，"saidtheProphet。"WiththeCrab。"
　　"What！"criedtheblot，inobviousastonishment。"Theminstrumentsmustbewonderfulsight—carriers。"
　　"Theyare，"exclaimedtheProphet，withalmostmysticenthusiasm。
　　"Wonderful。IhaveseenherwiththeCrabdistinctly。"
　　"Ah！well，Itoldhersheoughttokeepawayfromit，"continuedtheblot。
　　"Didyou？"saidtheProphet，withincreasingsurprise。"Buthowcouldshe？"
　　"Ah！that’sjustit！Shecouldn’t。"
　　"No，ofcoursenot。"
　　"Shewasdrawnrighttoit。"
　　"Shewas。Itwasn’therfault。ItwastheCrab’s。"
　　"Apityitwasdressed。"
　　"What？"
　　"Isayit’sapity’twasdressed。"
　　"Whatwasdressed？"
　　"What！why，theCrab！"
　　"TheCrab——dressed！"
　　"Ay。They’readealsafernotdressed。"
　　"Arethey？"
　　"Sheknowsittoo。"
　　"Doesshe？"
　　"Butthere——themwomenlikesaspiceofdanger。She’sinanicestatenow，youbet。Notmuchsleepforher，I’lllay。Well，Itriedtokeepherfromit，soyouneedn’tblameme。"
　　"Iwon’t，"saidtheProphet，feelingcompletelydazed。
　　"Well，go’—night。I’moffroundthesquare。"
　　"Good—night，"saidtheProphet。
　　Suddenlyablindingflashoflightdazzledhiseyes。Hecoveredthemwithhishands。Whenhecouldseeagaintheblotwasgone。
　　Althoughhewasretiredtorestthatnightwhentheclockstruckthree，theProphetdidnotsleep。Hisnervoussystemwasinaconditionofacuteexcitement。Hisbrainfeltlikeaburningball，andthepalmsofhishandswerehotwithfever。Forthespiritofprophecywasuponhimoncemore，andhewasboundfastinthegoldenmagicofthestars。Likethemorphiamaniacwho，aftervaliantfasting，returningtohisdrug，feelsitsinfluencethestrongerforhisabstinencefromit，theProphetwasconsciousthattheheavensheldmorepower，moremeaningforhimbecause，forawhile，hehadintendedtoneglectthem。Hewasravagedbytheirmystery，theirmajestyandrevelation。
　　Whenhecamedowninthemorningpale，dishevelled，butinformedbyacuriousdignity，hewasmetatoncebyMr。Ferdinand。
　　"Ihaveclearedthearea，sir，"saidthefunctionary。
　　"Thearea，Mr。Ferdinand。Whatof？"
　　"Telegrams，sir。Theboysmusthavethrown’emdownwithoutknocking。"
　　"Veryprobably，"repliedtheProphet。"Theircomradewasright。Theydidnotwishtobestrangled。"
　　"No，sir。AndIhaveplacedtheminabasketonthebreakfasttable，sir，whileawaitingyourorders。"
　　"Quiteright，Mr。Ferdinand。Bytheway，hereisthebradawl。Leaveitoutagainto—nightincaseIhaveneedofit。"
　　Sosaying，theProphethandedthebradawl，whichhehadcraftilyconveyedfromthepantryonthepreviousnight，totheastonishedbutlerandwalkedswiftlyintothebreakfast—room。Thebasketoftelegramswassetoutsidebesideafriedsoleandthe"equipage"whichMadamehadsomuchadmired，and，whilehesippedhistea，theProphetopenedthewiresonebyone。Theywerefraughtwithterroranddismay。
　　EvidentlyhismysteriouswarninghadthrowntheworthieswhodweltbesidetheMouseintoaconditionoftheverygravestamazementandalarm，andtheyhad，despitetheProphet’sfinalinjunction，spenttheremainingtelegraphichoursofthedayindespatchingwiresoffranticinquirytothesquare。Madame，inparticular，wasevidentlymuchupset，andexpressedherangryagitationinadeadlanguagethatseemedpositivelytoliveagaininfearandnoveltyofgrammaticalconstruction。SirTiglathhadbeenabrilliantcardtoplayinthepropheticgame，althoughhehadnotachievedtheProphet’spurposeofstoppingthetelegraphicflood。
　　WhiletheProphetwassimultaneouslyfinishingthefriedsoleandtheperusalofthefinalwireMr。Ferdinandentered，inaconditionofobviousastonishmentthatmightwellhavecosthimhisplace。
　　"Ifyouplease，sir，"hesaid，inanup—and—downvoice，"ifyoupleasetherearetwo——two——two——"
　　"Twowhat？Bemoreexplicit，Mr。Ferdinand。"
　　"Two——well，sir，kidsatthedoorwaitingforyoutoseethem，sir。"
　　"Twokids！What——fromthegoatshowthat’sgoingonattheWestminsterAquarium！"criedtheProphetingreatsurprise。
　　"Maybe，sir。Ican’tsay，indeed，sir。AmItoshowthemin，sir？"
　　"Showthemin！Areyougonemad，Mr。Ferdinand？Theymustbedrivenoutatonce。IfMrs。Merilliaweretoseethem，shemightbegreatlyalarmed。I’ll——I’ll——followme，Mr。Ferdinand，closely。"
　　SosayingtheProphetsteppedvaliantlyintothehall。There，bytheumbrellastand，stoodtwosmallchildren，boyandgirl，veryneatlydressedinasailorsuitandagreymerino。Thelittleboyheldinhishandalargeroundstrawhat，ontheblueribandofwhichwasinscribedinlettersofgold，"H。M。S。Hercules。"Thelittlegirlworeapleasantpigtailtiedwitharibandofthesamehue。
　　ThemeaningofMr。Ferdinand’svulgarandmisleadingslangsuddenlydawnedontheProphet。HecastalookofverygraverebukeonMr。
　　Ferdinand，then，walkinguptothelittleboyandgirlhesaidinhismostingratiatingmanner，——
　　"Well，mylittleones，whatcanIdoforyou？"
　　"Notsolittle，ifyouplease，Mr。Vivian，"repliedtheboyinapiping，butveryself—possessedvoice。"Canweseeyouinprivateforamoment？"
　　"Ifyouplease，Mr。Vivian，"addedthelittlegirl。"Sisitprudentium。"
　　"Dentia，Corona，"correctedthelittleboy。
　　TheProphetturnedwhitetotheverylips。
　　"Certainly，certainly，"hesaidinaviolentlyfurtivemanner。"Comethisway，mychildren。Mr。Ferdinand，ifMrs。Merilliashouldinquireforme，youwillsaythatI’mbusywriting——no，no，justbusy——verybusy。"
　　"Yes，sir。"
　　"I’mnottobedisturbed。Thisway，mylittleones。"
　　"Notsolittle，Mr。Vivian，"pipedagainthesmallboy，trottingobediently，withhissister，intotheProphet’slibrary，thedoorofwhichwasimmediatelyclosedbehindthem。
　　"Well，I’m——"saidMr。Ferdinand。"Kidsinthelibrary！Iam——
　　Gustavus！"
　　Herushedfreneticallytowardstheservants’halltoconferuponthesituationwithhisintellectualsubordinate。
　　MeanwhiletheProphetwasclosetedwiththetwokids。
　　"Praysitdown，"hesaid，verynervously，andsmilingforcibly。"Praysitdown，mydears。"
　　Thekidsobeyedwithaplomb，keepingtheirlargeandstrainedeyesfixedupontheProphet。
　　"IsitCoronusandCapricorna？"continuedtheProphet，withaneffortafterblithefamiliarity。"Isit？"
　　"No，"pipedthelittleboy。"Itisn’tCoronusandCapricorna。"
　　AmarvelloussensationofreliefinvadedtheProphet。
　　"ThankHeaven！"heejaculatedinasigh。"Ithoughtitmustbe。"
　　"It’sCoronaandCapricornus，"continuedthelittleboy。"Andwe’vebroughtyoualetterfrompaterfamilias。"
　　"Andmaterfamiliaris，"addedthelittlegirl。
　　"Milias，Corona，"correctedthelittleboy。"Hereitis，Mr。Vivian，"
　　headded，drawingalargemissivefromthebreastofhisblue—and—whitesailor’sblouse。"Paterandmaterfamiliascouldn’tbringitthemselves，becausehesaiditwasn’tsafeforhimtocome，andshe’slyingdownillatwhatyousenttoher。Itwasn’tkindofyou，wasit？"
　　Sosaying，hehandedthemissivetotheProphet，whotookitanxiously。
　　"Wouldyoulikesomecake，mylit——Imean，mydears，whileIreadthis？"
　　"No，thankyou。Cakeisbadforusinthemorning，"repliedthelittleboy。"Youshouldn’teatitsoearly。"
　　TheProphetwasabouttoreplythatheneverdidwhenitstruckhimthatargumentwouldprobablybeuseless。He，therefore，hastenedtoopentheletter，whichprovedtobefromMr。Sagittarius，andwhichranasfollows：——
　　"SIR，——Yourterribleandmysteriouswire，comingafteryourequallyterribleandmysterioussilence，hascauseddevastationinahithertopeacefulandhappyfamily。Towhatperildoyouallude？