Suddenly I bethought myself of the three dreams that had visited me, and a kind of nervous dread came upon me.

This Heliobas,--was I right after all in coming to consult him?
Was he not perhaps a mere charlatan?
and might not his experiments upon me prove fruitless, and possibly fatal?
An idea seized me that I would escape while there was yet time.

Yes! ...

I would not see him to-day, at any rate; I would write and explain.

These and other disjointed thoughts crossed my mind; and yielding to the unreasoning impulse of fear that possessed me, I actually turned to leave the room, when I saw the crimson velvet portiere dividing again in its regular and graceful folds, and Heliobas himself entered.
I stood mute and motionless.