In the foreground a clump of five palm-trees towered into the
air, with a profusion of rough cactus-like plants bristling from their
base. On the other side rose a rugged, gnarled, grey monolith, carved
at the base into a huge scarabaeus. A group of lizards played about on
the surface of the old carved stone. Beyond, the yellow sand stretched
away into furthest space, where the dim mirage mist played along the
horizon.
"Mr. Haw, I cannot understand it!" Robert grasped the velvet edge of the
settee, and gazed wildly about him.
"The effect is rather startling, is it not? This Egyptian desert is my
favourite when I lay myself out for a contemplative smoke. It seems
strange that tobacco should have come from the busy, practical West.
It has much more affinity for the dreamy, languid East. But perhaps you
would like to run over to China for a change?"
"Not to-day," said Robert, passing his hand over his forehead. "I feel
rather confused by all these wonders, and indeed I think that they have
affected my nerves a little. Besides, it is time that I returned
to my prosaic Elmdene, if I can find my way out of this wilderness to
which you have transplanted me. But would you ease my mind, Mr. Haw, by
showing me how this thing is done?"
"It is the merest toy--a complex plaything, nothing more.
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