p
with flat metal dishes; and in these he poured some of his powders,
mixing them as before with his fingers. Between the candlesticks and
behind the skull was an old and dark picture, at which he gazed for a
time, holding his taper on high. The picture represented a man fleeing
in a kind of furious haste from a wood, his hands spread wide, and his
eyes staring out of the picture; behind him everywhere was the wood,
above which was a star in the sky--and out of the wood leaned a
strange pale horned thing, very dim. The horror in the man's face was
skilfully painted, and Anthony felt a shudder pass through his veins.
He knew not what the picture meant; it had been given to him by the
old Italian, who had smiled a wicked smile when he gave it, and told
him that it had a very great virtue. When Anthony had asked him of the
subject of the picture, the old Italian had said, "Oh, it is as
appears; he hath been where he ought not, and he hath seen somewhat he
doth not like." When Anthony would fain have known more, and
especially what the thing was that leaned out of the wood, the old
Italian had smiled cruelly and said, "Know you not? Well, you will
know some day when you have seen him;" and never a word more would he
say.

When Anthony had put all things in order, he opened the book at a
certain place, and laid it upon the altar; and then it seemed as
though his courage failed him, for he drew the curtain again over the
alcove, unlocked the door, set the tinder-box and the candle back in
their place, and softly left the room.

He was very restless all the evening. He took down books from the
shelves, turned them over, and put them back again. He addressed
himself to some unfinished work, but soon threw it aside; he paced up
and down, and spent a long time, with his hands clasped behind him,
looking out into the desolate garden, where a still, red sunset burnt
behind the leafless trees. He was like a man who has made up his mind
to a grave decision, and shrinks back upon the brink. When his food
was served he could hardly touch it, and he drank no wine as his
custom was to do, but only water, saying to himself that his head must
be clear. But in the evening he went to his bedroom, and searched for
something in a press there; he found at last what he was searching
for, and unfolded a long black robe, looking gloomily upon it, as
though it aroused unwelcome thoughts; while he was pondering, he heard
a hum of music behind the