"And how do you get there, Essper?" asked Vivian.

"Those are subjects on which I never speak," answered the conjuror, with
a solemn air.

"But have you all your stock-in-trade with you, my good fellow? Where is
the Mystery?"

"Sold, sir; sold! I never keep to anything long. Variety is the mother
of Enjoyment. At Ems I shall not be a conjuror: but I never part with my
box. It takes no more room than one of those medicine chests, which I
dare say you have got with you in your carriage, to prop up your couple
of shattered constitutions."

"By Jove! you are a merry, impudent fellow," said the Baron; "and if
you like to get up behind my britzska, you may."

"No; I carry my own box and my own body, and I shall be at Ems to-morrow
in time enough to receive your Lordships."




CHAPTER V


In a delightful valley of Nassau, formed by the picturesque windings of
the Taunus Mountains, and on the banks of the noisy river Lahn, stands a
vast brick pile, of irregular architecture, which nearly covers an acre