Approach with grim and noiseless tread--
We are ready for you--Come!"

He then got up and, going to the fire, sprinkled over the flames six
drachms of belladonna, three drachms of drosera and one ounce of nux
vomica; using in each case his left hand. Returning to his former
position he drew with the forefinger of his left hand, on the ground,
the outline of a club-foot; a hand with the fingers clenched and a
long pointed thumb standing upright; and a bat. At his request Kelson
and Curtis carefully imitated the devices, each in the space allotted
to him.

Hamar then cried: "Creastie havoonen balababoo!"; which Hamar
explained was Atlantean for "devil of the damned appear!"

"He won't!" Curtis muttered, "because he doesn't exist. There are
devils--Meidler Brothers were devils--but there is no one devil! It's
all----" He suddenly stopped and an intense hush fell upon them all.

A cloud obscured the moon, the fire burned dim, and the gloom of the
amphitheatre thickened till the men lost sight of each other. A cold
air then rose from the ground and fanned their nostrils. Something
flew past their heads with an ominous wail; whilst from the direction
of the fire came a hollow groan.

"The advent of the Unknown," Hamar murmured, "shall be heralded in by
the shrieking of an owl, the groaning of the mandrake--there is
mandrake in the saucepan--the croaking of a toad--we haven't had that
yet!"