THE DREAM CIRCEAN
unconsciously it would account for both the weapons and the
scene in the Morgue. .. . But I cannot say.
“So, too, I learnt from the master that all this veil of life
is but a shadow of a vast reality beyond, perceptible only to
those who have earned eyes to see withal.
“These eyes I could not earn; a faith in the master sus-
tained me. I began to understand, too, a little about the
human brain; of what it is capable. Of Heaven—and of
Hell!
“Life passed, vigorous and pleasant; the only memory
that haunted me was the compulsion of my oath that never
would I again set foot in the Rue des Quatre Vents.
“Life passed, and for the master ended. ‘ The Veil of the
Temple is but a Spider’s web!’ he said, three days before he
died. I followed Eliphaz Levi Zahed to the grave.
“T could not follow him beyond.
“For the next year I applied myself with renewed vigour
to the study of the many manuscripts which he had left me.
No result could I obtain; Islackened. Followed the folly of
my life: I rationalised.
“Thus: one day, leaning over the Pont St. Michel, I let
the whole strange story flow back through my brain. I re-
membered my agony; my present calm astonished me. I
thought of Levi, of my oath. ‘He did not mean for all my
“fe; I thought ; ‘he meant until I could contemplate the affair
without passion. Is not fear failure? I will walk through
just once, to show my mastery.’ In five minutes—with just
one inward qualm—again I was treading the well-worn flags
of that ensorcelled road.
“Instantly—instantly !—the old delusion had me by
it I 129