le and clutching the wires with both hands in order to steady
himself. He was palpably, unmistakably stricken with a fear that was
overpowering him.

The outer office was filling; the corridor was being packed by the
arriving throngs.

Examiner Starr took command of the situation. He noted the nickel badge
on Dorsey's breast. "Officer, put every person except Mr. Britt out of
this building!"

But Watchman Dorsey, though he commanded and pushed, was not able to
make any impression.

"By my authority as bank examiner, I order this place cleared!" bellowed
Mr. Starr. The folks of Egypt showed that they were greatly interested
in the volume of voice possessed by "Foghorn Fremont," but they did not
retreat. For that matter, the crowd in the room was thoroughly blocked
at the door by the press in the corridor.

Starr's attention was wholly taken up by one individual for the next few
minutes. Prophet Elias boldly advanced, after worming his way out of
the throng; he pushed the examiner aside from the door of the grille and
went into the inner inclosure. An intruder who was prosaically garbed
would not have prevailed as easily as this bizarre individual with the
deep-set eyes, assertive mien, and wearing a robe that put him out
of the ordinary run of humanity. But Mr. Starr got back his voice and
ordered the Prophet to walk out.

Elias turned slowly and faced Starr. The Prophet's feet were hidden by
the robe and he came around with the effect of a window dummy revolving
on a support. Starr bawled more furious demands.

But the Prophet did not lower his crest. "'Many bulls have compassed
me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round. They gaped upon me with
their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion.'"

Then the Prophet spatted his palm upon the legend on his breast and
clacked a disdainful digit off the pivot of his thumb. Tasper Britt,
even in his hottest ire, had been restrained in the past by some
influence from laying violent hands on this peculiar personage. It was
evident that Starr was controlled by a similar reluctance and that his
forbearance was puzzling him. When the Prophet got down on his knees,
Starr was silent; it looked as if this zealot intended to offer
prayer--and the bank examiner did not care to earn the reputation of
being a disturber of a religious gathering. But Elias doubled over and
began to crawl around the room on his hands and knees, peering
intently and cocking his ear and seeming to