Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/222

 of the household went on as noiselessly and efficiently as the works of a well-oiled watch.

The days began to draw in, and, on the last night of Wynn's occupancy, the electric lights were burning all through the dinner hour. That afternoon Heinrich asked the Minister for any line of commendation that he cared to give, and the maître d'hôtel received a written eulogy in Mr. Wynn's well-known hand, which may be seen to-day, sumptuously framed, in the chief public room of Heinrich's hotel on Lake Lucerne.

Including the host, seven sat down to dinner that night, and a very hilarious meal they made of it. At the end Heinrich, with great respect, asked if he might prepare a little tableau for them, and on obtaining enthusiastic permission, he retired, leaving them to their coffee and liqueurs. Suddenly the electric light went out, plunging the dining-room into pitch darkness. Then, amidst great laughter, an invisible finger seemed to write on the wall, after the fashion of those electric signs so familiar to us all.

"Hello!" cried one. "Belshazzar up-to-date!"

"TO BE OPULENT AND UNARMED IS TO SECURE EASE IN THE PRESENT AT THE ALMOST CERTAIN COST OF DISASTER IN THE FUTURE."