"'Howajja Herod,' he said to me, 'I am first going to use one of our old means of getting knowledge. It has failed me in the past, but it will be, perchance, more potent in the presence of Ilfra the Understanding One.' "With that he took some ink, and poured it in Helfa's hand. This ink was the most precious in his possession, and obtained by means not lawful to relate. When it was in his son's hands he looked at me straight in the eyes, until, while I was in possession of all my senses, I seemed to live a charmed life. My imagination soared, my heart felt a wondrous joy. "'Look,' said Abou, 'look in Helfa's hand.' "I looked intently. "'What see you, son Herod?' "'I see a paradise,' I replied, 'but I cannot describe it. The beauties are incomparable. Ilfra is there; she mingles with those who are most obeyed.' "'See you anything by which the mystery can be learned?' "'I can see nothing.' "I heard a sigh. I had returned to my normal condition again, and had told nothing. "'I expected this,' he said, 'but I will try Helfa.' "The experiment with Helfa, however, was just as fruitless. "Then he turned to me. 'Son Herod,' he said, 'prepare to see the greatest deed ever done by man. All the knowledge and power of my life are to be concentrated in one act.' "With that he looked at Helfa, who staggered to a low cushion. "'Spirit of Helfa, leave the body,' he said. "Instantly the eyes of Helfa began to close; his limbs grew stiff, and in a few seconds he lay lifeless by us. "'I have a mission for you, spirit of Helfa. Flee to the home of spirits, and bring back the soul of thy sister, that she may tell me what we wish to know.' "When the command was given, I felt that a something--an entity--was gone from us. Abou and I were alone with the two bodies. "'What expect you, Abou?' I said, anxiously. "'If the labour of a lifetime has not been a failure,' he said, 'these two bodies will soon possess their spirits.'" Again Voltaire stopped in his recital, and looked around the room. He saw that every eye was fixed upon him, while the faces of some of the young ladies were blanched with terror. Evidently they were deeply moved. Even some of the young men shuddered, not so much because of the story that was told, as the strange power of the man that told it. As he saw these marks of interest, a smile crept over his face. He evidently felt that he was the strongest influence in the room--that all had to yield to him as their superior. "I confess," he went on, "that my heart began to beat quickly at these words. Fancy, if you can, the scene. An Egyptian village, not far removed from some of the great temples of the dead past. Above our heads waved tall palm trees. Around was a strange land, and a wild, lawless people. The hour was midnight, and our business was with the dead.