ain. But he
never faltered; and at last he had the pride of knowing that his end was
gained--he had the pride of knowing that he had become indispensable to
the master whom he served!" Again he paused, but this time the pause was
of impressive weight. Unconsciously, and without analyzing the feeling,
every member of the congregation felt that some announcement was
pending--that some extraordinary revelation was about to be made.

Enid sat rigid, holding her breath in an agony of suspense, fascinated
and appalled by the incomprehensible discourse. Behind the high
railing, old Michael Arian's lips moved rapidly and nervously, as though
he were muttering inaudible prayers; while Bale-Corphew's florid face
flamed, as, with a rapid, agitated movement, he glanced over the tense
faces of the congregation. For one moment it seemed that he was bracing
himself for action, but before his intentions could bear fruit, the
voice of the Prophet again rang out across the chapel.

"My People!" he said. "It is now that I appeal to your humanity! It is
now that I ask each one of you--men and women--to stand in this boy's
place--this boy, built like yourselves of human desires, human hopes,
human weaknesses. After seven long years he touched the knowledge that
he had become indispensable; and the bearer of that knowledge was
Death--his master's master!

"Death came; and in his chill presence the boy saw his task
completed--laid aside like a written scroll!

"It was the most glorious moment of his life--that moment in which he
stood with unshaken faith, looking towards the future. But the darker
side of existence was his portion; he had been born to the darker side.
Within one hour of his master's death, his dreams were dispelled. He
learned that, in the eyes of the man he had served, he had never passed
beyond the position of the outcast--the dependent, whose services are
liberally rewarded by the gift of a few hundred pounds. The fortune--the
inheritance--the golden mirage, was no longer existent, save as
something that did not concern him. By the disposition of his master's
will, it had passed into the coffers of a religious body--a fantastic,
unknown sect to which the old man had belonged!"

The announcement fell with strange effect. Enid, inspired by sudden
terror, rose to her feet; Bale-Corphew sat gripping the arm of his
chair, his face contorted, his mouth working, while a rustle, an
audible murmur of excitement passed over the