And while speaking of the temple I want to say that I never met with the slightest opposition on the part of the lamas to my penetrating any part of the shrine. If there exists any holy of holies at Psam-dagong I never discovered it. Though firmly set in their own belief, I invariably found the lamas most charitable toward the belief of others. They knew perfectly well what and who I was—there was never any secret made about it. I know that as a race the Thibetans have no wish to be exclusive; it is their Chinese masters who have built up and maintain the wall of mystery which surrounds this strange people—that the day is not far distant when it will be broken down I believe as firmly as I do that the breaking will be of vast benefit to Thibet.
No sooner had we crossed the threshold than Maurice rushed toward me with open arms.
“George! My dear fellow! How contemptibly shabby you must think me for deserting you!” he exclaimed, “and I owe you an apology too, Doctor. The fact is, I”
He paused suddenly, for Mr. Mirrikh’s eye was upon him. I shuddered as I saw its steady gaze transform Maurice, for the moment at least, into a being as cold and emotionless as himself.
“Gentlemen, good morning,” said the adept, extending his hand to each of us in turn. “Mr. De Veber, I must inform your friends of the object of this meeting. If we are to start for Mars at midnight there is no time to waste.”
Why did I bear it thus tamely? Why did I not launch forth my real sentiments against that man? Why had I ever remained silent? Why was the Doctor as dumb as myself?
God knows! All that I can say is that it was ever so from the first moment his will took that of Maurice De Veber under subjection.
He seemed to know when we were about to speak, to read our thoughts and in a measure control them. While we were with him these things did not strike me as they strike me now. I look back in wonder and ask myself the why and the wherefore, but no answer comes.
Now he checked Maurice in his intended communication, and equally we were checked in asking him further for it.
Maurice drew his arm through mine and pressed it affectionately. As for Philpot, he stood there looking absolutely stupid.
Such was the power of this man Mirrikh over minds sane
