Be
quiet now; I must step out, and send a message. Then you will get
some food and drink; perhaps a pipe of tobacco also."
There was silence behind the bookcase, and the old man put on his
fur-coat, lit his many-coloured lamp, took up a speaking-trumpet,
and stepped out on the balcony.
It was very dark, but the old man was familiar with his menagerie
out there on the parapet; he loved his stone monsters--the owl, the
griffin, the gorgon, and stroked them every time that he passed
them. But the creature with a man's body, goat's feet and horns,
inspired him with a certain awe, as it stood there leaning on its
hands like a priest, and bending forward as if to preach to the
godless city or to hurl anathemas at it. He took his stand near it,
and began to signal with the lantern. But the wind was so violent
that the old man swayed, and had to put his arm round the creature's
body, in order to support himself.
After he had stood for a time signalling with the lantern, and
gazing out into the darkness, he suddenly raised himself upright,
put down the lantern, and raised the speaking-trumpet to his mouth.
Holding on to the stone balustrade, he turned to the southern tower,
and cried "Hullo! Francis! Hallo!"
After a while a reply came through the darkness.
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