Part 21 (1/2)

Fresh peals of laughter resounded, while Padre Irene rubbed his nose.

”That's right!”

”It's the very image of him!”

”But where is Simoun? Simoun should buy it.”

But the jeweler had disappeared, unnoticed by any one.

”_Punales!_” exclaimed Padre Camorra, ”how stingy the American is! He's afraid we would make him pay the admission for all of us into Mr. Leeds' show.”

”No!” rejoined Ben-Zayb, ”what he's afraid of is that he'll compromise himself. He may have foreseen the joke in store for his friend Mr. Leeds and has got out of the way.”

Thus, without purchasing the least trifle, they continued on their way to see the famous sphinx. Ben-Zayb offered to manage the affair, for the American would not rebuff a journalist who could take revenge in an unfavorable article. ”You'll see that it's all a question of mirrors,” he said, ”because, you see--” Again he plunged into a long demonstration, and as he had no mirrors at hand to discredit his theory he tangled himself up in all kinds of blunders and wound up by not knowing himself what he was saying. ”In short, you'll see how it's all a question of optics.”

CHAPTER XVIII

LEGERDEMAIN

Mr. Leeds, a genuine Yankee, dressed completely in black, received his visitors with great deference. He spoke Spanish well, from having been for many years in South America, and offered no objection to their request, saying that they might examine everything, both before and after the exhibition, but begged that they remain quiet while it was in progress. Ben-Zayb smiled in pleasant antic.i.p.ation of the vexation he had prepared for the American.

The room, hung entirely in black, was lighted by ancient lamps burning alcohol. A rail wrapped in black velvet divided it into two almost equal parts, one of which was filled with seats for the spectators and the other occupied by a platform covered with a checkered carpet. In the center of this platform was placed a table, over which was spread a piece of black cloth adorned with skulls and cabalistic signs. The _mise en scene_ was therefore lugubrious and had its effect upon the merry visitors. The jokes died away, they spoke in whispers, and however much some tried to appear indifferent, their lips framed no smiles. All felt as if they had entered a house where there was a corpse, an illusion accentuated by an odor of wax and incense. Don Custodio and Padre Salvi consulted in whispers over the expediency of prohibiting such shows.

Ben-Zayb, in order to cheer the dispirited group and embarra.s.s Mr. Leeds, said to him in a familiar tone: ”Eh, Mister, since there are none but ourselves here and we aren't Indians who can be fooled, won't you let us see the trick? We know of course that it's purely a question of optics, but as Padre Camorra won't be convinced--”

Here he started to jump over the rail, instead of going through the proper opening, while Padre Camorra broke out into protests, fearing that Ben-Zayb might be right.

”And why not, sir?” rejoined the American. ”But don't break anything, will you?”

The journalist was already on the platform. ”You will allow me, then?” he asked, and without waiting for the permission, fearing that it might not be granted, raised the cloth to look for the mirrors that he expected should be between the legs of the table. Ben-Zayb uttered an exclamation and stepped back, again placed both hands under the table and waved them about; he encountered only empty s.p.a.ce. The table had three thin iron legs, sunk into the floor.

The journalist looked all about as though seeking something.

”Where are the mirrors?” asked Padre Camorra.

Ben-Zayb looked and looked, felt the table with his fingers, raised the cloth again, and rubbed his hand over his forehead from time to time, as if trying to remember something.

”Have you lost anything?” inquired Mr. Leeds.

”The mirrors, Mister, where are the mirrors?”

”I don't know where yours are--mine are at the hotel. Do you want to look at yourself? You're somewhat pale and excited.”

Many laughed, in spite of their weird impressions, on seeing the jesting coolness of the American, while Ben-Zayb retired, quite abashed, to his seat, muttering, ”It can't be. You'll see that he doesn't do it without mirrors. The table will have to be changed later.”

Mr. Leeds placed the cloth on the table again and turning toward his ill.u.s.trious audience, asked them, ”Are you satisfied? May we begin?”