, in
which to worship Tesculipoca. Are you satisfied that AEsculapius was
originally an inhabitant of this continent?"

"It certainly seems so."

"Seems so? It is so! And in that fact, Leon, abides a secret which has
been of vast importance to me, and shall be to you. Few men know what
I am, or whence I came. Let me tell you that the high priests of these
_teocali_ were all lineally descended from the great physician, and to
this day there are many who still blow upon the embers of the old
faith, down in the forest fastnesses of Mexico and Central America,
secure from the prying eyes of white men. I inherited the right of
priesthood at my birth."

"You? You a Mexican priest?" Leon started up amazed.

"By inheritance, yes! But early in life I made a discovery of vast
importance. By deciphering some old hieroglyphical writings, I learned
that, somewhere in the North Country, the first _teocali_ had been
built. That in the topmost chamber of it, as in the tower of Babel,
the god himself had dwelt. In the dome which surmounted that temple,
he had sculptured hieroglyphics, which recorded all the vast knowledge
which he possessed. I even found some fragmentary copies of these
sculptures, and I learned enough to make me determined to seek, and to
find that lost temple."

"You succeeded!" ejaculated Leon, much excited.

"I always succeed," said the Doctor, with significant emphasis. "It
has been the rule of my life, from which I have never deviated. Yes! I
succeeded! I discovered the dome of the temple, buried beneath the
earth. For years I have spent many hours of otherwise unoccupied time,
deciphering the sculptured records of the lost past. Lost to the
world, but found by me, Emanuel Medjora, whom men call Wizard!" There
was a flash of triumph in the Doctor's eye, as he uttered these words.
Leon looked at him, but did not speak.

"Yes! The knowledge garnered by AEsculapius has been inherited by me.
This it is, that I mean to bequeath to you. Is it not better than
money?"

"You mean that you will take me into that chamber, which you have
found?" Leon was incredulous, yet hopeful of receiving an affirmative
reply.

"That is what I will do, but not to-night. The hour is now late. You
must retire to rest. To-morrow night, I will give you proof of what I
have told you. Now, good-night, and remember that I have intrusted you
with a secret more valuable than all the world. Beware of betraying
me."

"Doctor!" expostul