the Count had before seen. He stood for some time
watching the proceedings of the unknown alchemist and considering what
he should do; at last he gave a cough to attract attention. The old man
looked up, and regarded him with a fixed stare.

"Who are you, and whence do you come?" he asked in a hollow voice. "Are
you a spirit from the vasty deep, or have you risen from the nether
world?"

"Though I am not a spirit, I have come from the vasty deep, for I am a
shipwrecked traveller," answered the Count. "In a most extraordinary
manner I was landed in a loft above this building, and have found my way
down here. My object at present is to get out into the street of
Amsterdam, for I presume I am in that city, and to discover my friend
and companion, Baron Stilkin, who had, fortunately for himself, gone on
shore before the catastrophe occurred, which nearly cost me my life; and
I shall be very, very much obliged to you, most reverend Seignor, if you
will show me the door."

"At present I cannot on any account do that," answered the alchemist.
"It might prove the destruction of my hopes were I to leave this
crucible for a moment. Know that I am on the point of making the great
discovery which is the object of my life," and the old man went on
stirring as before.

"What is that discovery, may I ask?" inquired the Count.

"The means of converting tin into silver, and copper into gold; or
rather, I may say, the discovery of the philosopher's stone, for which
the sages of past centuries have searched in vain, but which I firmly
believe it has been reserved for me to find out. I shall then become
the richest individual in Amsterdam, and I have resolved to employ my
wealth in rebuilding the city. I purpose to lay the foundations with
granite instead of wooden piles, on which it now stands; to increase the
width and depth of its canals, and double their present dimensions; to
erect a church in the centre which shall surpass that of Saint Peter's
or Saint Paul's; to make the inhabitants the most wealthy and healthy,
the best and most contented people on the face of the globe. These are
grand designs, you will allow, most noble stranger, for I perceive you
are capable of appreciating them: these are sufficient to induce a man
to burn the midnight oil, to spend his days in ceaselessly labouring at
his allotted task."

"Perhaps you will be good enough to make haste and discover this
philosopher's stone, and then let me out