rises; he stands erect; he stretches out his hands as though in
solemn entreaty.

"Azul!" he exclaims. "Messenger of my fate; thou who art a guiding
spirit of the elements, thou who ridest the storm-cloud and sittest
throned on the edge of the lightning! By that electric spark within
me, of which thou art the Twin Flame, I ask of thee to send me this
one more poor human soul; let me change its unrestfulness into
repose, its hesitation to certainty, its weakness to strength, its
weary imprisonment to the light of liberty! Azul!"

His voice ceases, his extended hands fall slowly, and gradually,
gradually he turns his whole figure towards ME. He faces me--his
intense eyes burn through me--his strange yet tender smile absorbs
me. Yet I am full of unreasoning terror; I tremble--I strive to turn
away from that searching and magnetic gaze. His deep, melodious
tones again ring softly on the silence. He addresses me.

"Fearest thou me, my child? Am I not thy friend? Knowest thou not
the name of HELIOBAS?"

At this word I start and gasp for breath; I would shriek, but
cannot, for a heavy hand seems to close my mouth, and an immense
weight presses me down. I struggle violently with this unseen Power--
little by little I gain the advantage. One effort more! I win the
victory--I wake!

***

"Sakes alive!" says a familiar voice; "you HAVE had a spell of