Page:The History of a Lie (1921).djvu/33

 know that I am a Jew by birth. Although the Jews have driven me from their midst and cursed me according to their custom and traditions because I adopted Christianity,—still I have my own reasons for stipulating a condition—your word of honor that you will be silent about all you will see and hear, until I authorize you to speak.’

“‘I swear by my honor,’

“‘Very well. You will recall in your investigations of the Caballah that in the mysterious books mention is made of a meeting of the heads or chosen ones of the nation,—a meeting which takes place from time to time?’

“‘Yes, in the Yezire it is said very definitely, and if I understood correctly, such meetings take place every hundred years.’

“‘Yes. The last meeting took place in 1760 and you recall that shortly afterward the movement of Judaism started. It is now 1787 years since the destruction of Jerusalem and this year is designated for a meeting of the Cabalistic Sanhedrin. This is the day of the meeting; the place is this city. I want to be present at this meeting in spite of the danger and am ready to take you along with me.’

“‘But will it not be dishonest to listen, will it not be an unlawful interference with other people’s secrets?’

“‘Per Bacco! as we Italians say; with such hesitations you must abandon once for all the idea of fulfilling your desire. Or do you think that the people who guard the secret of the Caballah will bring it to you on a tray? As far as I am concerned, I shall discover the secret, at any cost!’

“After reflecting a few minutes, the scientist came to a decision.

“‘I shall go with you, come what may!’

“‘Very well. Now we have agreed. Let us go,—there is no time to lose.’”

“The tower clock of the town-hall struck eleven. At the first stroke a key clicked in the lock of the cemetery gates. Then followed profound silence which indicated that the cemetery was open. The lights in the Jewish houses were gradually dying out, and at the same time the sounds of the merry feasting also subsided.

“Mysterious silence reigned in that terrible place.