A voice accosted me--a very quiet and very musical key of voice--in a language of which I could not understand a word, but it served to dispel my fear.

I uncovered my face and looked up.

The stranger (I could scarcely bring myself to call him man) surveyed me with an eye that seemed to read to the very depths of my heart.

He then placed his left hand on my forehead, and with the staff in his right, gently touched my shoulder.

The effect of this double contact was magical.