He is seated upon the folds of the snake Jesha,
whose seven heads bend over him to afford him shade. In one hand he
holds a spray of the sacred lotus. He is certainly hideous enough to be
a very great personage. Do you know, my dear Ducie," went on Platzoff,
"I have a very curious theory with regard to that Hindu gentleman,
whoever he may be. Many years ago he was worshipped in some great
Eastern temple, and had priests and acolytes without number to attend to
his wants; and then, as now, the great Diamond shone in his forehead. By
some mischance the Diamond was lost or stolen--in any case, he was
dispossessed of it. From that moment he was an unhappy idol. He derived
pleasure no longer from being worshipped, he could rest neither by night
nor day--he had lost his greatest treasure. When he could no longer
endure this state of wretchedness he stole out of the temple one fine
night unknown to anyone, and set out on his travels in search of the
missing Diamond. Was it simple accident or occult knowledge, that
directed his wanderings after a time to the shop of a London curiosity
dealer, where I saw him, fell in love with him, and bought him? I know
not: I only know that he and his darling Diamond were at last re-united,
and here they have remained ever since.
Pages:
30
31
32
33
34
35
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54