Dreams Read Online Free Page B

gesture."
    Although Holmes was addressing our feminine companion, I said, "Gesture, Holmes? Mystical gesture? What nonsense is this?"
    "Not nonsense at all, Watson. You are doubtless aware of the movement that our Romish brethren refer to as 'crossing themselves.' The Hebrews have a gesture of cabalistic origin that is alleged to bring good luck, and the Gypsies make a sign to turn away the evil eye. Several Asian races perform 'hand dances,' ceremonials of religious or magical significance, including the famous hoola known on the islands of Oahu and Maui in the Hawai`ian archipelago."
    "But these are all foolish superstitions, remnants of an earlier and more credulous age. Surely there is nothing to them, Holmes!"
    "I wish I could have your assuredness, Watson. You are a man of science, for which I commend you, but 'There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio, than are dreamed of in your philosophy' Do not be too quick, Watson, to dismiss old beliefs. More often than not they have a basis in fact."
    I shook my head and turned my eyes once more to the wintry countryside through which our conveyance was passing. Holmes addressed himself to our companion.
    "Lady Fairclough, you mentioned a peculiar gesture that the dark stranger made at the conclusion of your brother's wedding ceremony."
    "I did, yes. It was so strange, I felt almost as if I were being drawn into another world when he moved his hand. I tried to follow the movements, but I could not. And then he was gone."
    Holmes nodded rapidly.
    "The Voorish Sign, Lady Fairclough. The stranger was making the Voorish Sign. It is referred to in the works of Machen and others. It is a very powerful and a very evil gesture. You were fortunate that you were not drawn into that other world, fortunate indeed."
    Before much longer we reached the rail terminus nearest to Merthyr Tydfil. We left our compartment and shortly were ensconced in a creaking trap whose driver whipped up his team and headed for the Anthracite Palace. It was obvious from his demeanor that the manor was a familiar landmark in the region.
    "We should be greeted by Mrs. Morrissey, our housekeeper, when we reach the manor," Lady Fairclough said. "It was she who notified me of my brother's straits. She is the last of our old family retainers to remain with the Llewellyns of Merthyr Tydfil. One by one the new lady of the manor has arranged their departure and replaced them with a swarthy crew of her own countrymen. Oh, Mr. Holmes, it is all so horrid!"
    Holmes did his best to comfort the frightened woman.
    Soon the Anthracite Palace hove into view. As its name would suggest, it was built of the local native coal. Architects and masons had carved the jet black deposits into building blocks and created an edifice that stood like a black jewel against the white backing of snow, its battlements glittering in the wintry sunlight.
    Our trap was met by a liveried servant who instructed lesser servants to carry our meager luggage into the manor. Lady Fairclough, Holmes, and I were ourselves conducted into the main hall.
    The building was lit with oversized candles whose flames were so shielded as to prevent any danger of the coal walls catching fire. It struck me that the Anthracite Palace was one of the strangest architectural conceits I had ever encountered. "Not a place I would like to live in, eh, Holmes?" I was trying for a tone of levity, but must confess that I failed to achieve it.
    We were left waiting for an excessive period of time, in my opinion, but at length a tall wooden door swung back and a woman of commanding presence, exotic in appearance with her swarthy complexion, flashing eyes, sable locks and shockingly reddened lips, entered the hall. She nodded to Holmes and myself and exchanged a frigid semblance of a kiss with Lady Fairclough, whom she addressed as "sister."
    Lady Fairclough demanded to see her brother, but Mrs. Llewellyn refused conversation until we were shown to our rooms and had time to