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Hichens, Robert Smythe, 1864-1950

"The Prophet of Berkeley Square"

He has tried to murder me."
"I will look into this at once," said the Prophet.
He ran to the head of the stairs and called out,--
"Gustavus!"
"Sir!"
"Come up here at once."
Gustavus came, followed closely by Mrs. Fancy, who was in a state of
abject confusion and alarm.
"Has Mr. Sagittarius returned here--the gentleman who dined to-night?"
asked the Prophet.
Gustavus hesitated, thought of Dr. Carter's library, and replied,--
"No, sir."
"Has anybody entered the house?"
"No, sir."
"You have been up the whole evening?"
"Yes, sir."
"And nobody has been?"
"Nobody, sir."
"Grannie, you hear what Gustavus says."
"But, Hennessey, he is here; I saw him."
"Where?"
"By the door. I heard someone, and I thought it was you. I came to the
door after calling you, and there he stood, all dirty and wet, with
a huge hat on his head" (the saturnine little clergyman was largely
blessed with brain), "and a most awful murderous expression on his
face."
The Prophet began to suspect that his dear relative, upset by the tragic
events of the dinner table, had gone to sleep and had the nightmare.
"Grannie, it must have been a dream.


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