The Barzeitson Experiment, Chapter IX [pp. 283-290]

The Barzeitson Experiment.
carcass crushed in the coils of the python.
The wounds in the python's body showed that
the fight had been terrible. Both were dead.
The hyena was nowhere visible, but a few
bunches of hair and flesh scattered around
and still bleeding told its fate. We turned
away sick with horror, each one quivering
with dread. There was no need to utter it, the
fearful thought vibrated upon the air, - that
air of death, -" Where is Barzeitson?"
Instinctively I picked my steps among the
ruins of that gruesome menagerie to the cur tained recess. Again my hand clutched
those folds,- what mystery would they now
disclose - life or death? A moment of sick ening, silence, then the curtain rolled back
and revealed Barzeitson prone and rigid in
death. His hands clutched a web of strange
texture which rolled in snaky folds along the
floor to a mummy-case which lay broken in
twain.
As we lifted our friend and unclasped the
death grasp the web fell back, thus uncover ing a heap of black ashes. A chill ran through
our veins, we shrank back and our eyes
uttered the same thought, -the mystery lay
there,- that blackened mass held the great
discovery. Wlhat was it? How closely Bar zeitson kept the secret locked behind those
white, still lips.
"Madamre Barzeitson must be telegraphed," said the notary.
"I will bear the news to her," I answered.
"BuLt it must be before the funeral."
"I will leave this day," I answered quickly.
"This was a rash resolve for a person of
my quiet, methodical habits, but what would
I not do for this adored woman?-cross
the seas, brave the fogs of chilly Albion,
travel all night? Yes, all this to prove my
devotion.
It was a fearful journey, but I will not
weary the reader with my woes. Enough, I
found Madame and broke the news to her as
gently as possible. She listened to me without comment, only once interrupted me
to telegraph for mourning, and then with
admirable coolness and clearness instructed
me concerning the arrangements to be made.
Delicacy forbade me even to hint at my
VOL. XI. —9.
sentiments, but I assured Madame that she
could command me until death. Did not
my night journey assure her of my devotion
the eagerness with which I obeyed her
behests? She smiled once before I left her,
and in that smile I read my future, -she
understood me. Was she not the wife for
whom I had waited so long?
Barzeitson was buried with great pomp.
The funeral was indeed a sensation, for the
facts had been noised abroad, and Paris thor oughly enjoys a mystery. But even a mys tery palls; Paris found something more
absorbing, and Barzeitson and his mummy
were forgotten.
Paul took a trip to Algiers. Madame de la
Fontenaye retired to her chateau, taking
Madame de Lancy with her.
I was very glad to be alone, for it gave
me time to make preparations to receive my
bride. Luxembourg saw me but seldom, - I
had found another vocation. In six months
my wife would leave off deep mourning, then
I would write to her just a litle note to remind
her of my ever ready devotion, but nothing
more. Then in one year she would set aside
all traces of woe, and then I resolved to go and
lay my heart, fortune, and experience at her
feet, and bring her back to beautiful Paris.
I will mention here that my wife replied to
my note, and hoped to see me sometime at
her country house in England. In this delicate manner did she accept my suit.
Slowly the months rolled by; Paul returned,
and we had a very quiet but joyous wedding
when Madame de Lancy became Madame
Paul. The mummy was forgotten.
At length the happy day comes, my preparations are all made, again I brave the sea
and the fogs, and the perils of travel, - but
my wife awaits me. Strange, that no premonition of evil warned me of my fate. Happy,
without a thought of evil, I drove through
the country. The house came into view,
we drove into the grounds, -how my heart
beat for joy!
An air of festivity pervaded the place.
Madame was receiving, - a good omen. As
I drew near the house I saw carriages draw
up before the terrace, and soon from out the
1888.]
289