“Oh, is it you, Mr. Ferdinand?” said the Prophet, controlling every symptom of anguish, with the exception of a rapid flutter of the eyelids.  “I was looking for—­for a bradawl.”

The Prophet’s choice of this useful little implement as the reason for his presence in Mr. Ferdinand’s special sanctum was prompted by the fact that, just as he was speaking, he happened to see a bradawl lying upon a neighbouring knife cupboard in the company of a corkscrew.

“And here, I see, is just what I want,” he added calmly.

So far he had displayed extraordinary composure, but at this point he made a slight mistake, for he picked up the corkscrew and sauntered quietly away with it into the darkness, leaving Mr. Ferdinand still in the attitude of a Toby jug, the planisphere still head downwards in the butler’s own special pomade, and the George the Third candlestick stretched at full length upon the passage floor.

CHAPTER X

THE PROPHET AND MALKIEL THE SECOND CONVERSE BY TELEGRAM

“Hennessey Vivian, 1000 Berkeley Square, W.

“Please wire result of last night’s observations from eleven till three inclusive.—­Sagittarius.”

“Jupiter Sagittarius, Sagittarius Lodge, Crampton St. Peter, N.

“Impossible wire result, will write at length after taking further observations to-night.—­Vivian.”

“Certainly write at length, but meanwhile wire all important results in condensed form.—­Sagittarius.”

“Results not sufficiently important to wire, letter without fail to-morrow.—­Vivian.”

“Never mind unimportance, wire whatever results obtained.—­Sagittarius.”

“On consideration think results too important to wire, will explain by letter.—­Vivian.”

“Your second and third wires in direct contradiction; kindly reconcile opposing statements.—­Sagittarius.”

“Cannot reconcile by wire, will do so by letter.—­Vivian.”

“Then meanwhile request forecast of grandmother so far as gathered last night.—­Sagittarius.”

“Quite impossible discuss grandmother by wire.—­Vivian.”

“Not at all; couch in careful terms, shall understand; no need put grandmother’s name.—­Sagittarius.”

“Quite impossible; grandmother too sacred for treatment by wire, long and full letter to-morrow.—­Vivian.”

“Absurd!  Call her Harry and wire her future as obtained last night; shall understand.—­Sagittarius.”

“Cannot possibly consent call grandmother Harry; pray cease; succession of telegraph boys to house attracting general attention in square.—­Vivian.”

“Must insist; then call her Susan and wire.—­Sagittarius.”

“Cannot possibly consent to call her Susan; discussion of such matter by wire not decent; regret must absolutely decline.—­Vivian.”

“Madame and self insulted by accusation not decent; demand explanation and apology.—­Sagittarius.”