his influence, which he himself knew to be boundless, and which he was endeavouring to exert to its full, was beginning to pervade me; my objections became more and more feeble.
"You cannot bring forward one single positive argument against my elaborate scaffolding of facts, Mark! You are not going to tell me that two people, one living more than three thousand years before the other, have joined hands across thirty centuries to concoct the same lie. What object would a Greek priest have in corroborating the falsehoods of an Egyptian, whose existence even he would ignore?"
"I cannot make that Greek priest of yours out," I argued. "What made him turn back?"
"He may not have been sufficiently provisioned for any further journey; having ascertained that the landmarks did exist, he may have gone back with a view to making a fresh and more elaborate start. He may …"
"He may have been a confounded liar, as most inhabitants—notably the priests—of those countries generally are," I laughed.
Hugh frowned, and said at last, with a trifle less enthusiasm:
"Of course, old chap, I have no desire to persuade you against your will. When I wired to you I was merely fulfilling my promise, and …"
"Well?"
"I can always go alone."
What was the use of further argument? I had known all along that I should ultimately give in. After all, I had independent means, was my own master—in spite of Aunt Charlotte; I had nothing to do, and was barely thirty years of age. Is it great wonder that the love of adventure, inherent in every Englishman,
