The Ghost of Guir House

They walked along the narrow passage at the rear, Ah Ben stopping to

close the door quietly behind them. They then mounted a still

narrower stairway at the back, Paul following closely. Presently they

entered a passage which led in the opposite direction from Henley's

bedchamber, and then, turning sharply to the right, found a narrow

hallway which terminated in a door. Here the men stopped.

"I am going to take you into my sanctum, and you must not be

surprised if you find things different from the ordinary. The

circumstances of my life have set me apart from most men; and if my

surroundings are at variance with theirs, you must set it down to

these facts."

Here he opened the door.

The room was lighted with the same lamp that Paul had seen through

the chimney. There were odd-looking things, such as a skeleton with

artificial eyes; a glass manikin with a reddish fluid that meandered

through his body in thread-like streams; a horoscope and a globe,

suspended from the ceiling, with the signs of the Zodiac. Various old

parchments, covered with quaint cabalistic figures, were tacked

against the walls. In a cabinet, embellished with hieroglyphics,

stood another human form, a mummy wonderfully preserved.

"Here we are alone," said Ah Ben; "it is the quietest hour of the

night, and therefore we are least apt to be disturbed."

"And what do you propose?" asked Paul with a misgiving he was loth to

admit.

"Whatever you may desire, Mr. Henley; for you must know that which is

born of spirit is not subject to the restrictions of matter. But

remember that all is natural; there is no supernatural, and therefore

no cause for alarm."

Ah Ben led the way to the window, and having drawn aside the curtain,

threw up the sash. To Henley's amazement they walked directly through

the open casement and found themselves upon a broad stone terrace in

the glaring light of day. Beneath them lay a city of marvelous

beauty, whose streets were lined with palaces, surrounded by their

own parks, and whose inhabitants were walking in and about the shaded

thoroughfares, or resting in the public seats beside them. The change

was so sudden, so bewildering, that Paul drew back, his hand pressed

against his head; whereupon Ah Ben took him by the arm and said: "There is nothing here to alarm you. Come, let us descend these

steps, and walk through the town!"

The voice and touch of the man reassured him.

Walking down the broad stone steps, they found themselves in a noble

avenue lined with trees and adorned with sparkling fountains.

Everywhere the people looked happy. There was neither hurry nor

effort, but the grandest monuments to human action were visible upon

every hand. Such palaces of dazzling marble; such lace-like carvings

in stone; such noble terraces and gardens; and open to all the world

alike.