The manuscript of this little volume has been read, from time to time, by friends who have urged its publication. This, however, was never seriously intended until the “Interlude” (Chapter XII.), was contributed by the TK, which interlude gives to the whole a definite meaning and purpose but vaguely suggested by my own work. Except for this masterly arraignment of The Gay Gnani of Gingalee the author of this tale would have lacked the courage to publish it. With this addition, however, the writer reconsidered, reread and retouched the Ms., and consented to an Experiment. With this explanation, excuse and apology for the writing of the romance in the first place, and now for its publication, the author commits it to criticism--with a certain conviction that it has a mission of its own to perform. FLORENCE HUNTLEY. INGREDIENTS. Chapter Page PRELUDE 5 I PROPHET AND PROFIT 13 II MISS SHEETS IS SHE 21 III IN PRIMORDIAL BIOGEN 30 IV THE MANSARD ROOF 49 V IN THE HIGHEST DEGREE 65 VI THE GAY GNANI OF GINGALEE 75 VII THE BOOK AND THE BAGDAD 87 VIII THE MAN IN THE CELLAR 110 IX DRAWING A CORK 130 X A PRIVATE EXHIBIT 140 XI UP AGAINST IT 158 INTERLUDE 176 XII “THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH” 177 (By a Member of the Ancient Order of the Brotherhood of India.) XIII PHLOGISTON IS RESTORED 189 POSTLUDE 204 “For what shall it profit a man if he gain a whole Drug Store and jar his Higher Self?” --_Aphorism of the One Hi_----. CHAPTER I. “_Philosophers Deride, Fools Investigate_.” PROPHET AND PROFIT. “But my profession,” pleaded the slim and pallid youth who stood wistfully eyeing the Soda Fountain. “You forget, my friend, that the vows of a Guru forbid such diffusion of force and waste of magnetism as occur in meeting those not of The Path.” “Tommy-rot!” bawled young Mr. Vanderhook as he continued to polish the already glittering faucet. “You’ve not seen her, and you hear me, there is only one in the box and what’s more she can give cards and spades to any old band of mystical misfits on the top side the Earth.” “But my _profession_, William, the obligations of One--Who--Aspires--To--Know are--are--simply immense, and in my profession--”