I said. As the whole University knew I was not on speaking terms
with Girdelstone, I told him to adopt a Nicodemus-like attitude, and to
come to me in the night-time, when we could hold consultation. To the
outer world, during these anxious evenings, when I would see no one, I
was supposed to be preparing my great syllabus of lectures on the
ichthyosaurus. I communicated to my fellow-curators my plans bit by bit
only, for I thought it would be better for their nerves. I made
Monteagle send round a notice to the press:--'That the MS. about to
become the property of the University Museum was being facsimiled prior
to publication, and at the earliest possible date would be on view in the
Galleries where Dr. Groschen's collections are now exhibited.' This was
to quiet the complaints already being made by scholars and commentators
about the difficulty of obtaining access to the MS. The importunities of
several religious societies to examine the Book of Jasher became
intolerable. The Dean of Rothbury, an old friend of Girdelstone's, came
from the north on purpose to collate the new-found work. With permission
he intended, he said, to write a small brochure for the S.P.C.K. on the
Book of Jasher, though I believe that he also felt some curiosity in
regard to Aulus Gellius. I may be wronging him. The subterfuges, lies,
and devices to which we resorted were not very creditable to ourselves.
Girdelstone gave him a dinner, and Monteagle and I persuaded the Senate
to confer on him an honorary degree. We amused him with advance sheets
of the commentary. He was quite a month at Oxbridge, but at last was
recalled on business to the north by some lucky domestic family
bereavement. Our next difficulty was the news that Sarpedon, Patriarch
of Hermaphroditopolis, was about to visit England to attend an Anglican
Synod. I thought Girdelstone would go off his head. Monteagle's hair
became grey in a few weeks. Sarpedon was sure to be invited to Oxbridge.
He would meet Dr. Groschen and then expose him. Our fears, I soon found
out, were shared by the _savant_, who left suddenly on one of those
mysterious visits to the East. I saw that our action must be prompt; or
Girdelstone and Monteagle would be lost. They were horrified when I told
them I proposed placing the MS. on public view in the museum immediately.
A large plate-glass case was made by my orders, in which Girdelstone and
Monteagle, who obeyed me like lambs, deposited th