s a veritable wonderland, almost as interesting, in
its way, as the caves and jungles of Hindustan depicted by Madame
Blavatsky."

His high-pitched voice, with a certain labored intonation, not quite
so characteristically American as was his accent, rose even higher; he
spoke with the fire of the enthusiast.

"When I learned that Cragmire Tower was vacant," he continued, "I leaped
at the chance (excuse the metaphor, from a lame man!). This is a
ghost hunter's paradise. The tower itself is of unknown origin, though
probably Phoenician, and the house traditionally sheltered Dr. Macleod,
the necromancer, after his flight from the persecution of James of
Scotland. Then, to add to its interest, it borders on Sedgemoor,
the scene of the bloody battle during the Monmouth rising, whereat a
thousand were slain on the field. It is a local legend that the unhappy
Duke and his staff may be seen, on stormy nights, crossing the path
which skirts the mire, after which this building is named, with flaming
torches held aloft."

"Merely marsh-lights, I take it?" interjected Smith, gripping his pipe
hard between his teeth.

"Your practical mind naturally seeks a practical explanation," smiled
Van Roon, "but I myself have other theories. Then in addition to the
charms of Sedgemoor--haunted Sedgemoor--on a fine day it is quite
possible to see the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey from here; and
Glastonbury Abbey, as you may know, is closely bound up with the history
of alchemy. It was in the ruins of Glastonbury Abbey that the adept
Kelly, companion of Dr. Dee, discovered, in the reign of Elizabeth, the
famous caskets of St. Dunstan, containing the two tinctures..."

So he ran on, enumerating the odd charms of his residence, charms which
for my part I did not find appealing. Finally:

"We cannot presume further upon your kindness," said Nayland Smith,
standing up. "No doubt we can amuse ourselves in the neighborhood of the
house until the return of your servant."

"Look upon Cragmire Tower as your own, gentlemen!" cried Van Roon. "Most
of the rooms are unfurnished, and the garden is a wilderness, but
the structure of the brickwork in the tower may interest you
archaeologically, and the view across the moor is at least as fine as
any in the neighborhood."

So, with his brilliant smile and a gesture of one thin yellow hand, the
crippled traveler made us free of his odd dwelling. As I passed out from
the room close at Smith's heels, I glanc