as he looked back, that they were all hanging on by the arms and
legs of Galileo Isaac Newton Flamstead, to prevent him from
following the noble stranger, and tearing him to pieces.

'Gentlemen, Tom's father-in-law that was to be, took him by the
hand, and having lighted a little lamp, led him across a paved
court-yard at the back of the house, into a very large, dark,
gloomy room: filled with all manner of bottles, globes, books,
telescopes, crocodiles, alligators, and other scientific
instruments of every kind. In the centre of this room was a stove
or furnace, with what Tom called a pot, but which in my opinion was
a crucible, in full boil. In one corner was a sort of ladder
leading through the roof; and up this ladder the old gentleman
pointed, as he said in a whisper:

'"The observatory. Mr. Mooney is even now watching for the precise
time at which we are to come into all the riches of the earth. It
will be necessary for he and I, alone in that silent place, to cast
your nativity before the hour arrives. Put the day and minute of
your birth on this piece of paper, and leave the rest to me."

'"You don't mean to say," says Tom, doing as he was told and giving
him back the paper, "that I'm to wait here long, do you? It's a
precious dismal place."

'"Hush!" says the old gentleman. "It's hallowed ground.
Farewell!"

'"Stop a minute," says Tom. "What a hurry you're in! What's in
that large bottle yonder?"