mere notion of thirty vases of unclaimed precious stones hidden
down yonder is enough to upset any man's equanimity!"

"The papyri would interest me more than the jewels," said Dr.
Dean. "What do you say, Denzil?"

Denzil Murray woke up suddenly from a fit of abstraction.

"Oh, I don't know anything about it," he answered. "I never was
very much interested in those old times,--they seem to me all
myth. I could never link past, present and future together as some
people can; they are to me all separate things. The past is done
with,--the present is our own to enjoy or to detest, and the
future no man can look into."

"Ah, Denzil, you are young, and reflection has not been very hard
at work in that headstrong brain of yours," said Dr. Dean with an
indulgent smile, "otherwise you would see that past, present and
future are one and indissoluble. The past is as much a part of
your present identity as the present, and the future, too, lies in
you in embryo. The mystery of one man's life contains all
mysteries, and if we could only understand it from its very
beginning we should find out the cause of all things, and the
ultimate intention of creation."

"Well, now, you have all had enough serious talk," said the
Princess Ziska lightly, "so let us adjourn to the drawing-room.
One of my waiting-women shall sing to you by and by; she has a
very sweet voice."