ainst the mast.--

Precisely at this point the sleeper stirs his hand slightly, but
enough to throw the record of several succeeding years into
uncertainty and confusion. Here and there, however, we catch imperfect
glimpses of the Egyptian lad, steadily growing up to be a tall young
man. He is dressed in European clothes, and lives and moves amid
civilized surroundings: Egypt, with her pyramids, palms, and river, we
see no more. The priest's son seems now to be immersed in studies; he
shows a genius for music and painting, and is diligently storing his
mind with other than Egyptian lore. With him, or never far away, we
meet a man considerably older than the student,--good-natured,
whimsical, round of head and face and insignificant of feature.
Towards him does the student observe the profoundest deference, bowing
before him, and addressing him as "Master Hiero," or "Master Glyphic."
Master Hiero, for his part, calls the Egyptian "Manetho"; from which
we might infer his descent from the celebrated historian of that name,
but will not insist upon this genealogy. As for the studies, from
certain signs we fancy them tending towards theology; the descendant
of Egyptian priests is to become a Christian clergyman! Nevertheless,
he still wears his talismanic ring. Does he believe it saved him from
the crocodile? Does his Christian enlightenment not set him free from
such superstition?

So much we piece together from detached glimpses; but now, as the
magic ray steadies once more, things become again distinct. Judging
from the style and appointments of Master Hiero Glyphic's house, he is
a wealthy man, and eccentric as well. It is full of strange
incongruities and discords; beauties in abundance, but ill harmonized.
One half the house is built like an Egyptian temple, and is enriched
with many spoils from the valley of the Nile; and here a secret
chamber is set apart for Manetho; its very existence is known to no
one save himself and Master Hiero. He spends much of his time here,
meditating and working amidst his books and papers, playing on his
violin, or leaning idly back in his chair, watching the sunlight,
through the horizontal aperture high above, his head, creep stealthily
across the opposite wall.

But these saintly and scholarly reveries are disturbed anon. Master
Hiero, though a bachelor, has a half-sister, a pale, handsome,
indolent young woman, with dark hair and eyes, and a rather haughty
manner. Helen appears,