The Quest of the Sacred Slipper

n. The night now was far advanced, and not a sound

pped from the fire, and I half started up out of my chair. My nerves were all awry, and I had

t last returned to my chambers, I had become the victim of a singular delusion-though one com

e cab. I had an impression that some vehicle was tracking us. Then, when I discharged the man and walked up the

ir, from the first landing I glanced down into the black we

flight of stairs to my door, and, safely with

revolver upon the table beside me. I cannot say why. It afforded me some sens

onlight, or of artificial light, cast a reflection of such a weapon as that found in the oblong c

ent order of the Hashishin, had pursued the stolen slipper to England. They had severed any hand, other

their efforts by an outrage upon him en route, they had refrained from this until

der to gain access to Professor Deeping, who so carefully secluded himself, a box had been sent to him by ordinary carrier. (As I sa

is to say, it could only be opened (short of smashing it) from the inside! You will remember wha

s actually engaged in endeavouring to force it open. This inconceivable creature had then searched the study for the slipper-or for the key of the safe. Inte

ing the confusion, and at some time prior to Bristol's arrival, was no di

was this

"Assyrian Mythology"-"The T

t's extinction at the time of writing he was clearly certain, but he referred to the popular belief, or Moslem legend, that, since Hassan of

state of ecstasy so induced, according to Deeping, they acquired powers almost superhuman. I read how they could scale sheer precipices, pass fearlessly along narrow ledges which would scarce afford foothold for a rat, cast themselves from

the staircase-I thought of the horrible end of this man whose book lay up

I slipped them into a drawer and locked it. With every nerve, it seemed

the most persistent dealing with the Hashishin, and is related to-day of the apparently mythical Hassan of Aleppo. I am disposed to be

an very slo

What was comin

s been less keenly attuned I doubt not I should have remained unaware of the happenin

in some strange fashion I saw the words of

nfluence of the drug, and as being capable of concealing th

throom window was open, and that the wa

desert tribe, and for eight hours of every day, unt

e opening between door and doorpost! It was brought gr

off the icy hand of fear which held me inactive in my

past me and stru

dashed the door open, and fired blindly-a

brief gleam

I doubt not, had killed poor Deeping with the cre

tural dread gripped me by the throat at sight of it. As it turned with animal activity and bounded into my bathroom, I

nning face and those canine fangs-the tigerish, blazing eye

hurled myself forward a

ming body (the dwarf was but scantily c

ourt far below. I ran and looked down, shaking in every limb, my m

ment beneath; for twenty yards to le

urt wa

urt below, a great loneliness swept down like a mantle-a clammy mantle of the fabric of dread.

rightened child, I dropped to my knees