“Well, as I walked up and down the room some impulse caused me to look towards the picture.  To my astonishment I saw that it was no longer veiled, although to the best of my belief the curtain had been drawn over it as lately as that afternoon; indeed I could have sworn that this was so.  I called to Savage to bring the lamp that stood upon my table, and by its light made an examination.  The curtain was drawn back, very tidily, being fastened in its place clear of the little alcove by means of a thin brass chain.  Also along one edge of it, that which I had nailed to the panelling, the tin-tacks were still in their places; that is, three of them were, the fourth I found afterwards upon the floor.

“‘She looks beautiful, doesn’t she, my lord,’ said Savage, ’and please God so we shall still find her somewhere in the world.’

“I did not answer him, or even remark upon the withdrawal of the curtain, as to which indeed I never made an inquiry.  I suppose that it was done by some zealous servant while I was pretending to eat my dinner—­there were one or two new ones in the house whose names and appearance I did not know.  What impressed itself upon my mind was that the face which I had never expected to see again on the earth, even in a picture, was once more given to my eyes, it mattered not how.  This, in my excited state, for laudanum waiting to be swallowed and a pistol at full cock for firing do not induce calmness in a man already almost mad, at any rate until they have fulfilled their offices, did in truth appear to me to be something of the nature of a sign such as that spoken of in Savage’s idiotic dream, which I was to find if ’I looked round the study.’

“‘Savage,’ I said, ’I don’t think much of your dreams about snakes that talk to you, but I do think that it might be well to see Mr. Quatermain.  To-day is Sunday and I believe that the African mail sails on Friday.  Go to town early to-morrow and book passages.’

“Also I told him to see various gunsmiths and bid them send down a selection of rifles and other weapons for me to choose from, as I did not know whither we might wander in Africa, and to make further necessary arrangements.  All of these things he did, and—­here we are.”

“Yes,” I answered reflectively, “here you are.  What is more, here is your luggage of which there seems to be enough for a regiment,” and I pointed to a Scotch cart piled up with baggage and followed by a long line of Kafirs carrying sundry packages upon their heads that, marshalled by Savage, had halted at my gate.

CHAPTER VIII

THE START

That evening when the baggage had been disposed of and locked up in my little stable and arrangements were made for the delivery of some cases containing tinned foods, etc., which had proved too heavy for the Scotch cart, Lord Ragnall and I continued our conversation.  First, however, we unpacked the guns and checked the ammunition, of which there was a large supply, with more to follow.