entire working staff of a cable office. From his breast-pocket he
took a blue linen envelope, and allowed the Jew to see that it was
filled with twenty- pound notes. "I have means outside my pay,"
said Ford.

I would give almost any price to the man who can cure me." The eyes
of the Russian flashed avariciously.

"I will arrange the terms to suit you," he exclaimed. "Your case
interests me. Do you See this-mirage only at sea?"

"In any open place," Ford assured him. "In a park or public square,
but of course most frequently at sea."

The quack waved his great hands as though brushing aside a curtain.

"I will remove the illusion," he said, "and give you others more
pretty." He smiled meaningfully--an evil, leering smile. "When will
you come?" he asked. Ford glanced about him nervously.

"I shall stay now," he said. " I confess, in the streets and in my
lodgings I am frightened. You give me confidence. I want to stay
near you. I feel safe with you. If you will give me writing-paper,
I will send for my things."

For a moment the Jew hesitated, and then motioned to a desk. As
Ford wrote, Prothero stood near him, and the reporter knew that
over his shoulder the Jew was reading what he wrote. Ford gave him
the note, unsealed, and asked that it be forwarded at once to his
lodgings.