The Witch's Head

AUTHOR OF
“DAWN,” “MR. MEESON’S WILL,” “ALLAN’S WIFE,” “KING SOLOMON’S MINES,” “SHE,” “JESS,” ETC. ETC.
WITH SIXTEEN FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHARLES KERR, REPRODUCED BY BOUSSOD, VALADON ET CIE, OF PARIS
TWENTY-SIXTH THOUSAND
“Swell out, sad harmonies, From the slow cadence of the gathering years; For Life is bitter-sweet, yet bounds the flood Of human fears. A death-crowned queen, from her hid throne she scatters Smiles and tears Until Time turn aside, And we slip past him towards the wide increase Of all things beautiful, then finding there Our rest and peace; The mournful strain is ended. Sorrow and song Together cease.”
A. M. BARBER.
ILLUSTRATIONS

The Witch’s Head
“Come here, boy, let me look at you.”
Ernest advanced a step or two and looked his uncle in the face. He was a noble-looking lad of about thirteen, with large dark eyes, black hair that curled over his head, and the unmistakable air of breeding that marks Englishmen of good race.
His uncle let his wandering glance stray round him, but, wandering as it was, it seemed to take him in from top to toe. Presently he spoke again: