Page:Oriental Stories v01 n01 (1930-10).djvu/138

 lazuli and emerald, the vermilion of lacquer and pomegranates, purple of Syria and crimson of Tyre.

"There, for the first time, Brasswell displayed his treasures: the work of skilled craftsmen of past centuries, art long since supposed to have perished; yellowed scrolls bearing ancient inscriptions, exquisite stone Amidas fashioned by slender delicate Japanese hands, and wood carvings showing the unmistakable trace of Unkei's handicraft. Before the barred and recessed casement golden peacocks trailed plumages of sapphires and emeralds across richly brocaded palanquin cloths. Against the purple velvet banners on the walls hung the ancient weapons of the shoguns; and from a lacquered chest, breathing the spirit of plum blossoms, caught ages ago from some queen's garden, Brasswell drew forth a ceremonial coat heavily crusted with jewels and bearing the family crest of a Chinese emperor.

"Then, a little flown with the softly murmured adulation of his servants, he brought forth a heavy iron key which had been concealed in the folds of his garment. With this key he unlocked the dragon-guarded lid of a huge stone coffin. Calling his trusted servants close, he lifted the lid of the coffin. Within lay the beautiful Unfinished Buddha.

"A murmur of horror escaped the lips of his servants. Falling on their knees, they begged their master to return the god at once to the Japanese princess, reminding him with awe-stricken faces of the terrible curse which inevitably befalls those who do injury to a priest. Brasswell laughed at their fears, relocked the coffin, hung the key once more around his neck, and informed his servants that his superior wisdom lifted him above the ignorant superstitions of the East.

Yours is the wisdom of the fool,' replied Li King, the elder, gently. 'For this, I foresee that in one night the curse of madness will destroy you. It is already upon you, August One; otherwise you would have read the expression of vengeance which now conceals the features of that Buddha you have stolen. There was only lofty sweetness there before.'

"Greatly surprized and displeased with this unexpected attitude on the part of his servants, Brasswell ordered them from his presence and forbade them to speak of what they had seen. Thereafter, he conferred with them less often, finding that their quiet scrutiny made him strangely ill at ease. Becoming increasingly annoyed by the curious manner with which they came to observe him, he began to watch them covertly. Once, after passing his former confidants in a corridor, Brasswell turned suddenly to discover the two in whispered conference, the elder pointing to his master with one hand and with the other significantly touching his head.

"Brasswell began to conceal himself when he heard the two approaching. He was watching them one day from behind an arras, when Li King accidentally surprized his master by carelessly sweeping aside the concealing curtain. Brasswell, crouched on the floor, looked up to see the sorrowful eyes of his servant resting upon him. Li King exchanged significant glances with his companion and shook his head sadly.

It has come to pass,' he murmured.

"After this incident, Brasswell tried desperately to win back the respect of his servants and re-establish his claim to sanity. But fate seemed to have conspired against him; for when he willed to act most normally, he found himself doing strange, unnatural things.

"Once, in a studied attempt to appear