"Is the curtain not yet visible in the stone?"
"I cannot even see the curtain," replied the seer; "for all is dark."
Then Dee began to pray earnestly that some of his former friends might appear, whom he called by many outlandish names, such as Ave, Nalvage, Madini, and others. Immediately Bartholomew cried out—
"I see a glimmer!—Soft!"
The Doctor scarcely durst breathe, fearing to interrupt the opening of the vision.
"I see a golden curtain, partly drawn aside."
"The charge beginneth to work," said Dee. "'Tis the very appearance that was always vouchsafed to Kelly ere the spirits showed themselves in the glass. Note well what thou seest."
"There appeareth a white cloud, as a curdly vapour wreathing itself about a pillar of burning brass, but no creature is visible.—I hear a voice!"
"Mark the words and repeat them steadily," said the Doctor, who drew nearer that he might hear the purport of the revelation.
"Sanctum signatum et ad tempus," said the voice.