They walked along the narrow passage at the rear, Ah Ben stopping to
close the door quietly behind them. They then mounted a still
narrower stairway at the back, Paul following closely. Presently they
entered a passage which led in the opposite direction from Henley's
bedchamber, and then, turning sharply to the right, found a narrow
hallway which terminated in a door. Here the men stopped.
"I am going to take you into my sanctum, and you must not be
surprised if you find things different from the ordinary. The
circumstances of my life have set me apart from most men; and if my
surroundings are at variance with theirs, you must set it down to
these facts."
Here he opened the door.
The room was lighted with the same lamp that Paul had seen through
the chimney. There were odd-looking things, such as a skeleton with
artificial eyes; a glass manikin with a reddish fluid that meandered
through his body in thread-like streams; a horoscope and a globe,
suspended from the ceiling, with the signs of the Zodiac. Various old
parchments, covered with quaint cabalistic figures, were tacked
against the walls. In a cabinet, embellished with hieroglyphics,
stood another human form, a mummy wonderfully preserved.
"Here we are alone," said Ah Ben; "it is the quietest hour of the
night, and therefore we are least apt to be disturbed."
"And what do you propose?" asked Paul with a misgiving he was loth to
admit.
"Whatever you may desire, Mr. Henley; for you must know that which is
born of spirit is not subject to the restrictions of matter. But
remember that all is natural; there is no supernatural, and therefore
no cause for alarm."
Ah Ben led the way to the window, and having drawn aside the curtain,
threw up the sash. To Henley's amazement they walked directly through
the open casement and found themselves upon a broad stone terrace in
the glaring light of day. Beneath them lay a city of marvelous
beauty, whose streets were lined with palaces, surrounded by their
own parks, and whose inhabitants were walking in and about the shaded
thoroughfares, or resting in the public seats beside them. The change
was so sudden, so bewildering, that Paul drew back, his hand pressed
against his head; whereupon Ah Ben took him by the arm and said: "There is nothing here to alarm you. Come, let us descend these
steps, and walk through the town!"
The voice and touch of the man reassured him.
Walking down the broad stone steps, they found themselves in a noble
avenue lined with trees and adorned with sparkling fountains.
Everywhere the people looked happy. There was neither hurry nor
effort, but the grandest monuments to human action were visible upon
every hand. Such palaces of dazzling marble; such lace-like carvings
in stone; such noble terraces and gardens; and open to all the world
alike.