the plate chest into the centre of the apartment.

"Oh, is it you, Mr. Ferdinand?" said the Prophet, controlling every
symptom of anguish, with the exception of a rapid flutter of the
eyelids. "I was looking for--for a bradawl."

The Prophet's choice of this useful little implement as the reason for
his presence in Mr. Ferdinand's special sanctum was prompted by the fact
that, just as he was speaking, he happened to see a bradawl lying upon a
neighbouring knife cupboard in the company of a corkscrew.

"And here, I see, is just what I want," he added calmly.

So far he had displayed extraordinary composure, but at this point he
made a slight mistake, for he picked up the corkscrew and sauntered
quietly away with it into the darkness, leaving Mr. Ferdinand still in
the attitude of a Toby jug, the planisphere still head downwards in
the butler's own special pomade, and the George the Third candlestick
stretched at full length upon the passage floor.

CHAPTER X

THE PROPHET AND MALKIEL THE SECOND CONVERSE BY TELEGRAM

"Hennessey Vivian, 1000 Berkeley Square, W.

"Please wire result of last night's observations from eleven till three
inclusive.--Sagittarius."

"Jupiter Sagittarius, Sagittarius Lodge, Crampton St. Peter, N.

"Impossible wire result, will write at length after taking further
observations to-night.--Vivian."

"Certainly write at length, but meanwhile wire all important results in
condensed form.--Sagittarius."

"Results not sufficiently important to wire, letter without fail
to-morrow.--Vivian."

"Never mind unimportance, wire whatever results obtained.--Sagittarius."

"On consideration think results too important to wire, will explain by
letter.--Vivian."

"Your second and third wires in direct contradiction; kindly reconcile
opposing statements.--Sagittarius."

"Cannot reconcile by wire, will do so by letter.--Vivian."

"Then meanwhile request forecast of grandmother so far as gathered last
night.--Sagittarius."

"Quite impossible discuss grandmother by wire.--Vivian."

"Not at all; couch in careful terms, shall understand; no need put
grandmother's name.--Sagittarius."

"Quite impossible; grandmother too sacred for treatment by wire, long
and full letter to-morrow.--Vivian."

"Absurd! Call her Harry and wire her future as obtained last night;
shall understand.--Sagittarius."

"Cannot possibly consent call grandmother Harry; pray cease;
succession of telegraph boys to house at