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Fiamne dives? Fies. Vivamne invidendus? Vives. Moriarne in lecto meo? Ita." It was asked: Shall I find it? Answer: Thou shalt. Shall I become rich? Thou wilt. Shall I live an object of envy? Thou wilt. Shall I die in my bed? "A good specimen of the treasure-hunter's record quite reminds one of Mr. Minor-Canon Quatremain in 'Old St. Paul's," was Dennistoun's comment, and he turned the leaf.
I have never quite understood what was Dennistoun's view of the events I have narrated. He quoted to me once a text from Ecclesiasticus: 'Some spirits there be that are created for vengeance, and in their fury lay on sore strokes. On another occasion he said: 'Isaiah was a very sensible man; doesn't he say something about night monsters living in the ruins of Babylon?
I have never quite understood what was Dennistoun's view of the events I have narrated. He quoted to me once a test from Ecclesiasticus: "Some spirits there be that are created for vengeance, and in their fury lay on sore strokes." On another occasion he said: "Isaiah was a very sensible man; doesn't he say something about night monsters living in the ruins of Babylon?
At once all Dennistoun's cherished dreams of finding priceless manuscripts in untrodden corners of France flashed up, to die down again the next moment. It was probably a stupid missal of Plantin's printing, about 1580. Where was the likelihood that a place so near Toulouse would not have been ransacked long ago by collectors?
Shall I live an object of envy? Thou wilt. Shall I die in my bed? 'A good specimen of the treasure-hunter's record quite reminds one of Mr Minor-Canon Quatremain in Old St Paul's, was Dennistoun's comment, and he turned the leaf. What he then saw impressed him, as he has often told me, more than he could have conceived any drawing or picture capable of impressing him.
Even a collector's conscience is sometimes stirred, and Dennistoun's conscience was tenderer than a collector's. 'My good man! he said again and again, 'your book is worth far more than two hundred and fifty francs. I assure you far more. But the answer did not vary: 'I will take two hundred and fifty francs not more. There was really no possibility of refusing such a chance.
It was to be expected that the story should make a considerable impression on the mind of a man whose vocation lay in lines similar to Dennistoun's, and that he should be eager to catch at any explanation of the matter which tended to make it seem improbable that he should ever be called upon to deal with so agitating an emergency.
At once all Dennistoun's cherished dreams of finding priceless manuscripts in untrodden corners of France flashed up, to die down again the next moment. It was probably a stupid missal of Plantin's printing, about 1580. Where was the likelihood that a place so near Toulouse would not have been ransacked long ago by collectors?
Before the expiration of the two hours, the stalls, the enormous dilapidated organ, the choir-screen of Bishop John de Mauléon, the remnants of glass and tapestry, and the objects in the treasure-chamber, had been well and truly examined; the sacristan still keeping at Dennistoun's heels, and every now and then whipping round as if he had been stung, when one or other of the strange noises that trouble a large empty building fell on his ear.
Even a collector's conscience is sometimes stirred, and Dennistoun's conscience was tenderer than a collector's. "My good man!" he said again and again, "your book is worth far more than two hundred and fifty francs, I assure you far more." But the answer did not vary: "I will take two hundred and fifty francs, not more." There was really no possibility of refusing such a chance.
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