He allowed the stranger to take him by the arm, and they walked
together to the green-room like two friends.

"Who is strong enough to resist me?" said the Englishman, addressing
him. "Do you not know that everything here on earth must obey me, that
it is in my power to do everything? I read men's thoughts, I see the
future, and I know the past. I am here, and I can be elsewhere also.
Time and space and distance are nothing to me. The whole world is at
my beck and call. I have the power of continual enjoyment and of
giving joy. I can see through walls, discover hidden treasures, and
fill my hands with them. Palaces arise at my nod, and my architect
makes no mistakes. I can make all lands break forth into blossom, heap
up their gold and precious stones, and surround myself with fair women
and ever new faces; everything is yielded up to my will. I could
gamble on the Stock Exchange, and my speculations would be infallible;
but a man who can find the hoards that misers have hidden in the earth
need not trouble himself about stocks. Feel the strength of the hand
that grasps you; poor wretch, doomed to shame! Try to bend the arm of
iron! try to soften the adamantine heart! Fly from me if you dare! You
would hear my voice in the depths of the caves that lie under the
Seine; you might hide in the Catacombs, but would you not see me
there? My voice could be heard through the sound of thunder, my eyes
shine as brightly as the sun, for I am the peer of Lucifer!"

Castanier heard the terrible words, and felt no protest nor
contradiction within himself. He walked side by side with the
Englishman, and had no power to leave him.

"You are mine; you have just committed a crime. I have found at last
the mate whom I have sought. Have you a mind to learn your destiny?