The Lock and Key Library - Classic Mystery and Detective Stories: Modern English by Unknown
page 23 of 455 (05%)
page 23 of 455 (05%)
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the occasion demanded. There should have been cats, there should have been
cats--full-grown ones. The letter proved conclusively that there had been a hitch in the psychic current which, colliding with a dual identity, had interfered with the percipient activity all along the main line. The kittens were still going on, but owing to some failure in the developing fluid, they were not materialized. The air was thick with letters for a few days afterwards. Unseen hands played Glück and Beethoven on finger-bowls and clock shades; but all men felt that psychic life was a mockery without materialized kittens. Even Lone Sahib shouted with the majority on this head. Dana Da's letters were very insulting, and if he had then offered to lead a new departure, there is no knowing what might not have happened. But Dana Da was dying of whisky and opium in the Englishman's go-down, and had small heart for new creeds. "They have been put to shame," said he. "Never was such a Sending. It has killed me." "Nonsense," said the Englishman, "you are going to die, Dana Da, and that sort of stuff must be left behind. I'll admit that you have made some queer things come about. Tell me honestly, now, how was it done?" "Give me ten more rupees," said Dana Da, faintly, "and if I die before I spend them, bury them with me." The silver was counted out while Dana Da was fighting with death. His hand closed upon the money and he smiled a grim smile. "Bend low," he whispered. The Englishman bent. |
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