The latter remained silent, returning that remarkable stare, while Blink withdrew beneath the seat and pressed her chin to the ground, savouring the sensation of a new motion.
"Yes," he thought, "those eyes have an almost superhuman force and cunning.They are the eyes of a spider in the centre of a great web.
They seem to draw me."
"You are undoubtedly the Unseen Power, sir," he said suddenly, "and Ihave reached the heart of the mystery.From your own lips I shall soon know whether I am a puppet or a public man."The Personage, who by his movements was clearly under the impression that he had to do with a lunatic, sat forward with his hands on his knees ready to rise at a moment's notice; he kept his cigar in his mouth, however, and an enforced smile on the folds of his face.
"What can I do for you, sir?" he said.
"Will you have a cigar?"
"No, thank you," replied Mr.Lavender, "I must keep the eyes of my spirit clear, and come to the point.Do you rule this country or do you not?
For it is largely on the answer to this that my future depends.In telling others what to do am I speaking as my conscience or as your conscience dictates; and, further, if indeed I am speaking as your conscience dictates, have you a conscience?"The Personage, who had evidently made up his mind to humour the intruder, flipped the ash off his cigar.