whether we are justified in withholding from the world an account of a phenomenon which we believe to be of unparalleled interest, merely because our private life is involved, or because we are afraid of ridicule and doubt being cast upon our statements.  I hold one view about this matter, and Leo holds another, and finally, after much discussion, we have come to a compromise, namely, to send the history to you, giving you full leave to publish it if you think fit, the only stipulation being that you shall disguise our real names, and as much concerning our personal identity as is consistent with the maintenance of the bona fides of the narrative.

“And now what am I to say further?  I really do not know beyond once more repeating that everything is described in the accompanying manuscript exactly as it happened.  As regards She herself I have nothing to add.  Day by day we gave greater occasion to regret that we did not better avail ourselves of our opportunities to obtain more information from that marvellous woman.  Who was she?  How did she first come to the Caves of Kor, and what was her real religion?  We never ascertained, and now, alas! we never shall, at least not yet.  These and many other questions arise in my mind, but what is the good of asking them now?

“Will you undertake the task?  We give you complete freedom, and as a reward you will, we believe, have the credit of presenting to the world the most wonderful history, as distinguished from romance, that its records can show.  Read the manuscript (which I have copied out fairly for your benefit), and let me know.

“Believe me, very truly yours, “L.  Horace Holly.[*]

“P.S.—­Of course, if any profit results from the sale of the writing should you care to undertake its publication, you can do what you like with it, but if there is a loss I will leave instructions with my lawyers, Messrs. Geoffrey and Jordan, to meet it.  We entrust the sherd, the scarab, and the parchments to your keeping, till such time as we demand them back again. —­L.  H. H.”

     [*] This name is varied throughout in accordance with the
     writer’s request.—­Editor.

This letter, as may be imagined, astonished me considerably, but when I came to look at the Ms., which the pressure of other work prevented me from doing for a fortnight, I was still more astonished, as I think the reader will be also, and at once made up my mind to press on with the matter.  I wrote to this effect to Mr. Holly, but a week afterwards received a letter from that gentleman’s lawyers, returning my own, with the information that their client and Mr. Leo Vincey had already left this country for Thibet, and they did not at present know their address.