"In thorough disgust I gave it up altogether, when suddenly I remembered
there was no Kyrie in the Service we had heard.
"A something prompted me to supply the want out of my own mind. All I
strove was to make the style blend with the Credo; in every other
respect it was perfectly original, and when finished gave me great cause
to be pleased with my own work.
"Looking at my watch I discovered it was fast getting on to midnight, so
I drew an arm-chair up to the fire and lighted a cigar. It was only
natural that my mind should be full of the music heard the previous
evening. I was no believer in the supernatural, and had unsparingly
ridiculed all ghost stories heard at various times. Now there was no
doubt: I had listened to music played by no earthly fingers. What could
it all mean? Why did the old man's ghost return to haunt the scene of
his former labours? Was it because he had left a solemn injunction which
had never been complied with? Was it because his life's purpose had been
left unfulfilled, and his last cherished wish had died with him?
"There was the solution, no doubt. And what a loss it was to the world;
only to think of so priceless a work being lost for ever!
"At this stage I was conscious of nodding, and waking up with a start,
endeavoured to pursue my train of thought.
Pages:
153
154
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177