138
THE BOOK OF ALL-POWER
stumbled forward, rubbing at his face, shrieking with pain.
The girl ran swiftly through the open door, for feet were now pattering along the corridors and the flicker of lights showed through the doorway. Boolba was rolling on the ground in agony when the servants crowded in, followed by the Grand Duke—and he alone was fully dressed.
"Boolba—what is it?"
"The book—the book! It is mine! See . . . floor!"
But the book had disappeared.
"Where, Boolba—where, my good Boolba?" The voice of Boolba's master was tremulous. "Show me—did he strike you—he shall suffer, by the saints! Look for it, Boolba!"
"Look! Look!" yelled the writhing man. "How shall I look? I who am blind—blind—blind!"
