d to-night. The Arch-Mystics themselves
are guarding the Threshold. The Prophet is exalted; he must not be
disturbed."

"But if it is necessary to disturb him? If there is a Soul in danger?"

"The Prophet must not be disturbed. What are we, that we should thrust
our wrong-doing or our sorrow upon the Mighty One?"

At the words a rage of apprehension shook Enid. She lifted her head, and
her fingers closed fiercely round the iron bar that topped the railing.

"Silence!" she said, excitedly. "You do not know what you are saying!
The Prophet sets his people high above himself. The message of a Soul
in distress is of more value in his eyes than a hundred moments of
exaltation. Take care that his wrath does not fall upon you!"

Involuntarily the man paled.

"Yes. Take care!" she cried. "Take care! You have the well-being--the
whole future--of one Soul in your hands to-night. How will you answer to
the Prophet, if you fail in the trust?"

The Mystic cowered.

"If you fail, the wrong can never be repaired. And the doing of the
action will cost you nothing. Take this note--" With agitated haste she
tore a leaf from a tiny note-book that hung at her waist. "Take this
note. Tell no one. Give it into the Prophet's own hands--" She drew out
a pencil and wrote a few enigmatical words. "Give it into his own hands;
and I can promise you that your reward will be greater than you think."
With a rapid movement, she roiled up the paper and held it out to him.

"Take it," she said, impressively. "And remember that it is something
important, essential--sacred." On the last word her voice rose; then,
without warning, it suddenly broke.

A curtain at the back of the Sanctuary had been drawn aside; and for the
second time that evening, the face of Bale-Corphew confronted her
through the dusk.

CHAPTER X

For one instant Enid stood spellbound; then involuntarily she stepped
backward, crumpling the slip of paper in her hand.

At the same movement Bale-Corphew advanced and, passing the Mystic,
indicated the Sanctuary curtain.

"Go!" he commanded, in an unsteady voice. And as the man slunk away, he
wheeled round and confronted Enid.

"So this is your action?" he said, tremulously. "This is your conception
of honor? Truly, woman is the undoing of man!" With an excited gesture,
he lifted his hand and extended it towards the white Scitsym lying upon
the lectern.

But Enid met his attack with the courage that sometimes outli