The elderly lady looked at him with a little more
interest.
"Why, there was no sense in those words that it wrote with my hands on
it," she said. "What do you mean?"
"The words were these," said Professor Cherubusco, rising to his full
magnificent height: "_'By the fifth wheel of the chariot he shall
come.'_"
"I haven't seen many chariots," said the lady, "but I never saw one with
five wheels."
"Progress," said the professor--"progress in science and mechanics has
accomplished it--though, to be exact, we may speak of it only as an
extra tire. Progress in occult art has advanced in proportion. Madam, I
repeat that the Chaldean Chiroscope has succeeded. I can not only answer
the question that you have propounded, but I can produce before your
eyes the proof thereof."
And now the lady was disturbed both in her disbelief and in her poise.
"O professor!" she cried anxiously--"When?--where? Has he been found? Do
not keep me in suspense."
"I beg you will excuse me for a very few minutes," said Professor
Cherubusco, "and I think I can demonstrate to you the efficacy of the
true Art."
Thomas was contentedly munching the last crumbs of the bread and fowl
when the enchanter appeared suddenly at his side.
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