“The disappointments I suffered, and the wild-goose chases I made, would fill a volume; but I persevered.  At last, not two months ago, I was shown by an old dealer in Mossul one lamp such as I had looked for.  I had been tracing it for nearly a year, always suffering disappointment, but always buoyed up to further endeavour by a growing hope that I was on the track.

“I do not know how I restrained myself when I realised that, at last, I was at least close to success.  I was skilled, however, in the finesse of Eastern trade; and the Jew-Arab-Portugee trader met his match.  I wanted to see all his stock before buying; and one by one he produced, amongst masses of rubbish, seven different lamps.  Each of them had a distinguishing mark; and each and all was some form of the symbol of Hathor.  I think I shook the imperturbability of my swarthy friend by the magnitude of my purchases; for in order to prevent him guessing what form of goods I sought, I nearly cleared out his shop.  At the end he nearly wept, and said I had ruined him; for now he had nothing to sell.  He would have torn his hair had he known what price I should ultimately have given for some of his stock, that perhaps he valued least.

“I parted with most of my merchandise at normal price as I hurried home.  I did not dare to give it away, or even lose it, lest I should incur suspicion.  My burden was far too precious to be risked by any foolishness now.  I got on as fast as it is possible to travel in such countries; and arrived in London with only the lamps and certain portable curios and papyri which I had picked up on my travels.

“Now, Mr. Ross, you know all I know; and I leave it to your discretion how much, if any of it, you will tell Miss Trelawny.”

As he finished a clear young voice said behind us: 

“What about Miss Trelawny?  She is here!”

We turned, startled; and looked at each other inquiringly.  Miss Trelawny stood in the doorway.  We did not know how long she had been present, or how much she had heard.

Chapter XIII Awaking From the Trance

The first unexpected words may always startle a hearer; but when the shock is over, the listener’s reason has asserted itself, and he can judge of the manner, as well as of the matter, of speech.  Thus it was on this occasion.  With intelligence now alert, I could not doubt of the simple sincerity of Margaret’s next question.

“What have you two men been talking about all this time, Mr. Ross?  I suppose, Mr. Corbeck has been telling you all his adventures in finding the lamps.  I hope you will tell me too, some day, Mr. Corbeck; but that must not be till my poor Father is better.  He would like, I am sure, to tell me all about these things himself; or to be present when I heard them.”  She glanced sharply from one to the other.  “Oh, that was what you were saying as I came in?  All right!  I shall wait; but I hope it won’t be long.  The continuance of Father’s condition is, I feel, breaking me down.  A little while ago I felt that my nerves were giving out; so I determined to go out for a walk in the Park.  I am sure it will do me good.  I want you, if you will, Mr. Ross, to be with Father whilst I am away.  I shall feel secure then.”