Page:Doughty--Mirrikh or A woman from Mars.djvu/89

 He turned his back abruptly upon Mr. Mirrikh, seated himself by the fire and began to smoke.

He was angry—very angry. In his supreme conceit he had flattered himself that he could show my Panompin friend in the light of a charlatan after the first question or  two. In this he had lamentably failed.

Meanwhile Maurice, who had never uttered a word, seated himself again, and now pulled me down beside him; Mr. Mirrikh, however, did not sit down, but just stood there with his hands spread out to catch the warmth, gazing into the fire meditatively. Twice, in the silent moments which followed, I saw him look at Maurice curiously, and once he looked at me.

By this time my equanimity was pretty well restored and I can assure you that I felt quite ashamed of what had occurred. I resolved to settle the mystery of this man once and for all, and I sat there gazing at him trying to assure myself against my reason, that his face was painted as Philpot had claimed, for reason following the dictates of two excellent eyes, told me that it was not. I could not seize him and try the effect of a wet rag upon his chin, though I own that I was itching to do that very thing.

Now Maurice breaks the silence. Just as determined as Philpot, his diplomacy is greater, or his personal sphere more persuasive. He accomplishes with one question what the Doctor fails to accomplish with a dozen.

“You said the other morning that you sometimes smoked,” he remarked, pleasantly. “Won’t you join us now?”

“Thank you. I have no objection.”

He chose a spot near me and sat down, accepting the proffered cheroot and lighting it by the blowing coals.

“You will pardon our friend, I know,” said Maurice; “but one naturally feels a desire to account for the singular experiences we have had in this tower to-night. We are storm bound, Mr. Mirrikh, and, with the possible exception of yourself, all of us have got to stay here till morning. You cannot wonder at our curiosity. Why not gratify it? Wylde is your friend, I would like to be, and as for Mr. Philpot ”

“Oh, count me in,” blurted out the Doctor, “I have not forgotten that Mr. Mirrikh saved my life.”

“Gentlemen,” he said, after puffing meditatively for a moment, “I have nothing but the friendliest feelings toward