and
sworn to secrecy, while the high wall and the hedge of trees baffled
prying eyes. Quantities of red granite and many blocks of precious
marbles were understood to be using in the work. The opinion gained
that such an Oriental palace was building as never had been seen
outside an Arabian fairy-tale.

By and by the work was done, the workmen disappeared. But whoever
hoped that now the mystery would be revealed, and the Oriental palace
be made the scene of a gorgeous house-warming, was disappointed. The
dwellers behind the wall emerged not from their seclusion, nor were
others invited to relieve it. In due course of time Doctor Glyphic's
worthy step-father died. The widow and her daughter continued to live
in Brooklyn until the former's death, which took place a few years
afterwards. Then Helen came to her brother, and the Brooklyn house was
put under lock and key, and so remained till Helen's marriage, when it
was set in order for the bridal pair. But Thor's wife died as they
were on the point of moving thither, and he sold it four years later
and left America forever.

After his departure less was known, than before of how things went on
behind the brick wall. The gateway was filled in with masonry. No one
was ever seen entering the enclosure or leaving it; though it was
supposed that, somehow or other, communication was occasionally had
with the outside world. As knowledge dwindled, legend grew, and wild
were the tales told of the invisible Doctor and his foster-son. In his
youth, the former had been suspected of simple witchcraft, but he was
not let off so easily now. Manetho was first dubbed a genie whom the
Doctor had brought out of Egypt. Afterwards it was hinted that these
two worthies were in fact one and the same demon, who by some infernal
jugglery was able to appear twain during the daytime, but resumed his
proper shape at night, and cut up all manner of unholy capers.

By another version, Doctor Glyphic died in Egypt, not before
bargaining with the Prince of Darkness that his body should return
home in charge of a condemned soul under the guise of Manetho. During
the day, affirmed these theorists, the body was inspired by the soul
with phantom life; but became a mummy at night, when the condemned
soul suffered torments till morning. With sunrise the ghastly drama
began anew. This state of things must continue until the sun shone all
night long within the brick wall enclosure.

A third, more moderate a