s, who was
really a fine chemist before he went dotty, got the idee fixe that all
human ills were due to improper food. He tackled the problem, at first
scientifically, but later on he had a vision that he was really the
reincarnation of the Prophet Moses. Moses and manna--the connection is
obvious and the secret was soon in his possession. He manufactured the
stuff in his own laboratory and lived on it himself--at least to the
verge of physical extinction. Then he went gunning for subjects, and
you know the rest. The rubbish fills you up without nourishing you, and
what you lived on was really stimulants alone--the wine and coffee."

"But will you tell me--how did you chance to find--"

"For the first few days I didn't dream of interfering--it was your own
adventure. But on Monday--that's yesterday, you know--I determined to
look things up a bit. So I walked into No. 231 and scared Mr. Red-Fez
into a few plain truths. His real name is Dawson, you know."

"Yes."

"It was simply an immensely improved sort of phonograph that Gonzales
had invented. None of the harshness and squeakiness of tone that you
associate with the ordinary instrument. Partly a new method of making
the records and partly a system of qualifying chambers that refine and
purify the tones. It is wonderful enough to deceive anybody, and, of
course, he had all his records ready to hand."

"Then the Lady Allegra, the Lady Allegra--"

"'Vox et preterea nihil,'" quoted Indiman. He left the room quietly,
and I lay there on the lounge staring up at the ceiling. "'Vox et
preterea nihil.'"

Two months have passed and I am slowly recuperating in body and mind.
But there are some things not to be forgotten--for instance, "Ah, fors
e lui," when sung by the most beautiful voice in all the world.

Indiman proposes that we shall go to the Utinam Club, dine, and spend
the night. Well, we don't often indulge in that rather questionable
amusement, although we are accustomed to use the club freely throughout
the daytime. All the more reason, then, that once in a while--I need a
distraction and there are some interesting psychological
deductions--But hang casuistry; it is enough to say that we did go.

It is undeniably pleasant to be sitting here in the club dining-room
sharing a ruddy duck and a bottle of burgundy. Yes, and to feel the
cares, the disappointments, the burdens of life dropping off one by
one; to be able to dismiss them with a nod as one gives an un