George Allan England

“ For the first time in his life, he found himself on the inside of one of those hallowed Beacon Hill citadels of blue-bloodedness dominating the Common; and very agreeable indeed he thought the situation.
“This is strictly all right, eh?” he murmured. “We're getting on in the world!” ”

“ Veazie looked up sharply at his victim. “To find out anything more may require considerable labor and expense.”
“What, for God's sake, are labor and expense to me?” The old man's voice almost cracked into a falsetto of eagerness. “Go on with your search, professor! Spare nothing! Only find her!”
“I can guarantee nothing, you understand. The astral forces are not to be coerced; and I am hampered, in one way, by not having any material object connected with the—ah—the abduction.” Veazie got up and began pacing the floor, as if in mental agitation. ”

“ The professor's voice had lost somewhat of its suavity. It held a startled quality. He seemed rather to boggle at dealings with a skull; but Lockwood continued undoing the packet, explaining meantime:
“In my day, you understand, I was an explorer, an archæologist. I collected many strange things in many lands. This”—he disclosed inner wrappings of coarse yellow Egyptian linen—“is perhaps the most singular object of all my collections. It is the skull of Burrum Gao, chief medicine man of the Massabamba tribe, on the head-waters of the Niger. See now!” ”