a lady upon matters of the affections.

For a little while he was prostrate, his heart seemed swept clean of all
hope and feeling. Then his furious temper, the failing that, above every
other, was his curse and bane, came to his aid and occupied it like the
seven devils of Scripture, bringing in its train his re-awakened vanity,
hatred, jealousy, and other maddening passions. It could not be true,
there must be an explanation, and, of course, the explanation was that
Foy had been so fortunate, or so cunning as to make advances to Elsa
soon after she had swallowed the love philtre. Adrian, like most people
in his day, was very superstitious and credulous. It never even occurred
to him to doubt the almost universally accepted power and efficacy of
this witch's medicine, though even now he understood what a fool he was
when, in his first outburst of rage, he told Elsa that he had trusted to
such means to win her affections, instead of letting his own virtues and
graces do their natural work.

Well, the mischief was done, the poison was swallowed, but--most poisons
have their antidotes. Why was he lingering here? He must consult his
friend, the Master, and at once.

Ten minutes later Adrian was at Black Meg's house.

CHAPTER XIX

THE FRAY IN THE SHOT TOWER

The door was opened by Hague Simon, the bald-headed, great-paunched
villain who lived with Black Meg. In answer to his visitor's anxious
inquiries the Butcher said, searching Adrian's face with his pig-like
eyes the while, that he could not tell for certain whether Meg was or
was not at home. He rather thought that she was consulting the spirits
with the Master, but they might have passed out without his knowing it,
"for they had great gifts--great gifts," and he wagged his fat head as
he showed Adrian into the accustomed room.

It was an uncomfortable kind of chamber which, in some unexplained
way, always gave Adrian the impression that people, or presences, were
stirring in it whom he could not see. Also in this place there happened
odd and unaccountable noises; creakings, and sighings which seemed to
proceed from the walls and ceiling. Of course, such things were to be
expected in a house where sojourned one of the great magicians of the
day. Still he was not altogether sorry when the door opened and Black
Meg entered, although some might have preferred the society of almost
any ghost.

"What is it, that you disturb me at such an hour?" she asked sharply