“Beauty is a thing of health, form and atmosphere,” he answered. “Easy enough to attain with these forces suitably combined, and no malign environment. Now, dearest mother, puzzle yourself no more over my mysteries! You have seen Diana--and you can guess my reason for wishing to get away to Davos Platz as soon as possible. People here will talk and wonder,--at Davos no one has seen her--not as she was when she first arrived here--and no questions are likely to be asked. Besides,--the experiment is not half completed--it has only just begun.” “When will it be finished?” his mother asked. He smiled, and stooping, kissed her forehead. “Not till the summer solstice,” he said. “When light and heat are at their best and strongest, then I may reach my goal and win my victory!” “And then?” “And then?” he echoed, smiling. “Ah, who knows what then! Possibly a happier world!--and yet--did not the Angel Uriel say to the Prophet Esdras: ‘The Most High hath made this world for the many, but the world to come for the few!’ _My_ secret is a part of the world to come!” CHAPTER XVI Two or three days later the Château Fragonard was closed,--its windows were shuttered and its gates locked. The servants were dismissed, all save Vasho, who, with his black face, white teeth, rolling eyes and dumb lips, remained as sole custodian. The usual callers called in vain,--and even the Baroness Rousillon, a notable and persistent inquirer into all matters of small social interest, could learn nothing beyond the fact (written neatly on a card which Vasho handed to all visitors) that “Dr. and Madame Dimitrius had left home for several weeks.” Of Diana May no information was given. Among those who were the most surprised and deeply chagrined at this turn of events was the Marchese Farnese, who had himself been compelled to be away for some time on business in Paris, but who had returned as soon as he could to Geneva in the hope of improving his acquaintance with Diana sufficiently to procure some sort of reliable information as to the problems and projects of Dimitrius. His disappointment was keen and bitter, for not only did he find her gone, but he could obtain no clue as to her whereabouts. And even Professor Chauvet had been left very much in the dark, for Diana had only written him the briefest note, running thus: “Dear Kind Friend! “I’m going away for a little while with Madame Dimitrius, who needs change of air and scene, but I will let you know directly I come back. I shall think of you very often while absent! “Affectionately yours, “Diana.”