INTERLUDE.
And then unsensed by the sleepers, but clear to the vision of themiserable Mystic a sudden, luminous cloud appeared, grew and gatheredin intensity. It appeared a few feet from the floor, close to thedynamo, within the radius of its attraction.
Steadily the brightness increased until the electric lights were ascandles burning at noonday.
From the midst of this increasing splendor was gradually shaped amajestic figure, the face and form of an unearthly being, a man, yet aman so transcendent in presence, so lofty in pose, so dazzling investments, so celestial in expression as to separate him--almostwholly--from the little beings who run to and fro upon the earth,calling themselves men.
The wise man--late of India--looked, shuddered, moaned, closed hiseyes and bent his head.
The Radiant One paused an instant, and then spoke,--saying:--