On the walls were collections of insects and plants arranged among maps and stands filled with books and manuscripts.

The old man was so absorbed in his work that he did not notice the presence of the youth until the latter, not wishing to disturb him, tried to retire.
"Ah, you here ?" he asked, gazing at Ibarra with a strange expression.

"Excuse me," answered the youth, "I see that you're very busy--" "True, I was writing a little, but it's not urgent, and I want to rest.

Can I do anything for you ?" "A great deal," answered Ibarra, drawing nearer, "but--" A glance at the book on the table caused him to exclaim in surprise, "What, are you given to deciphering hieroglyphics ?" "No," replied the old man, as he offered his visitor a chair.

"I don't understand Egyptian or Coptic either, but I know something about the system of writing, so I write in hieroglyphics." "You write in hieroglyphics! Why ?" exclaimed the youth, doubting what he saw and heard.
"So that I cannot be read now." Ibarra gazed at him fixedly, wondering to himself if the old man were not indeed crazy.