it seemed an unquestionable proof of his divine power. When
it was over, I had just sufficient strength of will remaining to tear
myself away from him and gain my own room and lock the door."

"You mean he tried to detain you?"

"Not with his hands. But I could feel his will striving to conquer
mine. Even after I was in my room, I could feel him calling me. In the
morning, I was stronger. I lay in bed until nearly noon, trying to
form some plan; but I began to fear that I must give it up. I realised
that, after a few more nights like the night before, I should no
longer have a will of my own--that what I was pretending would became
reality. I decided that I could risk one more day--perhaps two; but I
felt very weak and discouraged. You see, I did not know what to look
for, or where to look. I wanted evidence against him, but I had no
idea what the evidence would be. I wanted to search his room, but I
had not been able to, because he was scarcely ever out of it, except
when he was with me; and, besides, Mahbub was always squatting in the
little closet next to it.

"I got up, at last, and after breakfast he met me here in the library.
He suggested another seance, but I pleaded a headache, and he walked
with me about the grounds. I remembered that you were to come in the
evening, Mr. Lester, and I determined to leave you with him, on some
pretext, and search his room then. I told him you were coming, that I
had asked you to take charge of my affairs; and it was then he told me
of the legacy he believed my father had left him, adding that whether
the legacy should stand or not was entirely in my hands. Then I began
to feel his influence again, and managed to excuse myself and go
indoors.

"You know what happened in the evening, Mr. Lester. As soon as I left
you, I flew to his room, determined to search it at any cost. But I
was scarcely inside, when I heard the outer door open, and I had just
time to get behind the curtains in one corner, when someone entered.
Peering out, I saw that it was Mahbub. He looked about for a moment,
and then sat down on the divan, folded his feet under him, and fell
into a contemplation of the sphere. I scarcely dared to breathe. I was
always afraid of Mahbub," she added; "far more so than of Senor Silva.
About Senor Silva there was at least something warm and human; but
Mahbub impressed me somehow as a brother to the snake, he seemed so
cold and venomous."

"You knew he was dead?" I asked