again!"

And so it had! And so it was that the unborn came to life, the dying gave
up the ghost, Leonora pulled out a grey hair, and the student told the
professor his dream.

THE ELIXIR OF LIFE

The aged philosopher Aboniel inhabited a lofty tower in the city of Balkh,
where he devoted himself to the study of chemistry and the occult sciences.
No one was ever admitted to his laboratory. Yet Aboniel did not wholly shun
intercourse with mankind, but, on the contrary, had seven pupils, towardly
youths belonging to the noblest families of the city, whom he instructed at
stated times in philosophy and all lawful knowledge, reserving the
forbidden lore of magic and alchemy for himself.

But on a certain day he summoned his seven scholars to the mysterious
apartment. They entered with awe and curiosity, but perceived nothing save
the sage standing behind a table, on which were placed seven crystal
phials, filled with a clear liquid resembling water.

"Ye know, my sons," he began, "with what ardour I am reputed to have
striven to penetrate the hidden secrets of Nature, and to solve the
problems which have allured and baffled the sages of all time. In this
rumour doth not err: such hath ever been my object; but, until yesterday,
my fortune hath been like unto theirs who have preceded me. The little I
could accomplish seemed as nothing in comparison with what I was compelled
to leave unachieved. Even now my success is but partial. I have not
learned to make gold; the talisman of Solomon is not mine; nor can I recall
the principle of life to the dead, or infuse it into inanimate matter. But
if I cannot create, I can preserve. I have found the Elixir of Life."

The sage paused to examine the countenances of his scholars. Upon them he
read extreme surprise, undoubting belief in the veracity of their teacher,
and the dawning gleam of a timid hope that they themselves might become
participators in the transcendent discovery he proclaimed. Addressing
himself to the latter sentiment--"I am willing," he continued, "to
communicate this secret to you, if such be your desire."

An unanimous exclamation assured him that there need be no uncertainty on
this point.

"But remember," he resumed, "that this knowledge, like all knowledge, has
its disadvantages and its drawbacks. A price must be paid, and when ye come
to learn it, it may well be that it will seem too heavy. Understand that
the stipulations I am about to propound