Page:Old ninety-nine's cave.djvu/154

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"De doctah, Massa," Reuben announced, immediately ascending to Hernando's room.

"Ah, good morning, Doctor," said Mr. De Vere extending his hand. "Glorious weather this. Pray be seated." He drew a great easy-chair before the western window which overlooked the city and pointing to the blue hills among which lay Shushan, remarked: "Like Hernando, you too are striving for the betterment of suffering humanity, only on different lines."

Dr. Herschel's glance followed his. His eyes were deep set, but their color was lost in the brilliancy of the mind which saw through them more than this world of material facts and threw the light of its genius into unexplored regions. Without removing his glance, he said in a low, even-toned voice, "I believe you surveyed out that tract of land."

"Yes, and found it an unsavory job," Mr. De Vere laughed.

Dr. Herschel's countenance wore no answering smile as he replied: "True, the stench is almost overpowering, but the waters from