been a true one.



CHAPTER XII

From where Hamel stood a queer object came strangely into sight.
Below the terrace of St. David's Hall--from a spot, in fact, at
the base of the solid wall--it seemed as though a gate had been
opened, and there came towards him what he at first took to be a
tricycle. As it came nearer, it presented even a weirder
appearance. Mr. Fentolin, in a black cape and black skull cap,
sat a little forward in his electric carriage, with his hand upon
the guiding lever. His head came scarcely above the back of the
little vehicle, his hands and body were motionless. He seemed to
be progressing without the slightest effort, personal or mechanical,
as though he rode, in deed, in some ghostly vehicle. From the same
place in the wall had issued, a moment or two later, a man upon a
bicycle, who was also coming towards him. Hamel was scarcely
conscious of this secondary figure. His eyes were fixed upon the
strange personage now rapidly approaching him. There was something
which seemed scarcely human in that shrunken fragment of body, the
pale face with its waving white hair, the strange expression with
which he was being regarded. The little vehicle came to a
standstill only a few feet away. Mr. Fentolin leaned forward. His
features had lost their delicately benevolent aspect; his words
were minatory.

"I am under the impression, sir," he said, "that I saw you with my
glasses from the window attempting to force an entrance into that