“I say to you, fear God, honor the King; which being interpreted means, obey the Law.
“See the Father in all things.
“I say to you finally, man is the question, God is the answer.
“This is the law and the prophets. If you would see the Kingdom deny it not.”
Again the voice ceased, and Brandon heard the doctor’s whisper: “The Master is at his best this afternoon. It is better not to interrupt him if you don’t mind. He will come to you presently. He knows you are here.”
Brandon shook violently. Possessed by an excitement now almost terrible, he was unable to speak.
XXXI
“He is coming now,” the doctor whispered. “I will leave you for a little while so that you may talk without interruption.” And the doctor passed out noiselessly.
Silence had fallen again at the other end of the long room. Brandon was sensible of a faint stir among the dim figures round the fire. And then his heart leaped to his throat, his veins seemed to run with flame as there emerged and came slowly toward him an outline wholly different from that of the man he expected to see. John Smith—if John Smith it was!—had let his hair grow long, he had acquired a beard, and he wore a loose robe tied round his middle by a cord.
The wide-pupiled eyes and the strange pallor of the face struck with vivid intensity through the ghostly half-light of the room.