Are you
remaining?"
"I am dining at the club," answered Pyne, "but I can wait until you
return."
"As you wish," jerked Gray. "I don't expect to be long."
He walked rapidly to the outer door, which opened at his approach and
closed noiselessly behind him as he made his exit.
CHAPTER III
KAZMAH
Mrs. Monte Irvin entered the inner room. The air was heavy with the
perfume of frankincense which smouldered in a brass vessel set upon a
tray. This was the audience chamber of Kazmah. In marked contrast to
the overcrowded appointments, divans and cupboards of the first room,
it was sparsely furnished. The floor was thickly carpeted, but save
for an ornate inlaid table upon which stood the tray and incense-
burner, and a long, low-cushioned seat placed immediately beneath a
hanging lamp burning dimly in a globular green shade, it was devoid of
decoration. The walls were draped with green curtains, so that except
for the presence of the painted door, the four sides of the apartment
appeared to be uniform.
Having conducted Mrs. Irvin to the seat, the Egyptian bowed and
retired again through the doorway by which they had entered. The
visitor found herself alone.
She moved nervously, staring across at the blank wall before her.
Pages:
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
32
33
34
35