 Chapter 15 of Fantasy, Fairies and Ghosts, Volume 2 by Various. This Librivox recording is in the public domain. The Minister of Foreign Relations, to whom the Dwarf Cenabre became the first private secretary, was a branch of the remarkable family of Protex Tatus de Monshine, of whom we have already spoken. He bore the same name as his ancestor. He was a man of elegant and polished manners, and who took the trouble sometimes to do his work with his own hands. Above all, when the rain did not allow him to ride out in an open carriage. Prince Barsonov, who had succeeded Paphneutius, showed the greatest regard for him, for his minister never allowed him to have the least embarrassment in governing his subjects. And more than this, he played nine pins with him, always yielding the best chances to his gracious master. Now it happened one day that the minister, Protex Tatus, had invited the prince Barsonov to breakfast with him, on Leipzig Laks, washed down with numerous little glasses of Danzig brandy. On arriving at the house of his amphitrion, the prince found among the invited guests little Cenabre, who, standing by, leaning on his little cane, began to look at him with very impertinent curiosity. Then suddenly, advancing towards the table, he drew from the dish with his fingers a lark, and stuck it into his mouth whole. The prince, far from taking offence at this incivility, smiled upon Cenabre, and asked his minister who that little charming man was, that he thus saw for the first time. Is it not, said he, the author of the well-written reports that you have handed me every morning for several days? It is the same indeed, my lord, said the minister. I congratulate myself greatly on the good fortune which has procured me so perfect as secretary. His name is Cenabre, and I ask permission of your highness to particularly recommend him to your gracious goodness. He has been in my service a very few days only, and it is for that reason, interrupted a handsome young referendary, that your excellence would allow me to acquaint your highness with the fact that I am the author of the reports that have obtained your approbation. What does this mean, frowning and casting an angry look towards the refinery? Did you ever know how to hold a pen? And then, what does this mean if you please, this fashion of awkwardly chewing your larks, and spluttering all over my white breeches? Is not that sufficient proof of your diplomatic incapacity? Do me the favour to return home, and never appear again before me, except with a cake of cleansing soap, that is the only means of obtaining any right to my indulgence. The reader must be speedily informed that Cenabre, in devouring his larks, had come and seated himself by the side of Prince Barsanoff, and that he was the author of the spot of butter impressed upon the breeches of the Sovereign. The poor referendary changed countenance and asked himself if the Prince had become mad, whilst the latter, turning towards Cenabre, said to him with emphatic goodwill. Men like you, Master Cenabre, are the fortune of a state and merit the highest honours, in consequence of which I elevate you from this day to the office of special and privy counsellor of my highness. I am infinitely obliged, began to cry out the dwarf, who came near being strangled by swallowing the carcass of a lark, then wiping his greasy mouth with his long, dirty claws, he added. I will perform the functions of that high office, with a capacity that will astonish you. I do not, in the least doubt it, replied Barsanoff, that noble confidence in yourself is the surest guarantee for the services that you will render me. Thereupon his highness had his last glass of Danzig brandy poured out for him by his prime minister. After which the whole society arose, and enlarged upon the eulogiums of which the new special counsellor had just been the object. That same day Fabian met his friend Balthazar, whose face expressed the most expansive joy. Devil, said he to him, it appears that you are having golden dreams. The misfortune is that I must awaken thee. What is the matter? asked Balthazar. Be calm, my dear fellow, be cool. Remember that there is not a single misfortune that a little philosophy will not aid us to support. Candida, Candida, cried Balthazar, growing pale. Be calm, replied Fabian. Imagine to thyself that the little Sinarbre, since his promotion to the post of special counsellor, has fallen in love with Candida. That Candida doeths upon him, that they are betrothed, and that the marriage is on the point of being consummated. Balthazar listened to this confidence with an apparent want of emotion that strangely surprised his friend. Thou dost not then love Mushturpin's daughter? said Fabian. I love her more than ever, answered Balthazar with emotion. I know that she loves me also, that an odious sorcery turns everybody's head, but that I shall immediately have the means of triumphing over all the obstacles that oppose my happiness. That is why I am not uneasy concerning the projects of Sinarbre, and the fears that thy friendship expresses on my account. He revealed at the same time to his friend the meeting with the man of the crystal chariot, and the magical effect produced by the ray from the carbuncle, which served as a head to his ivory cane. Now, continued he, I have acquired the certainty that this dwarf Sinarbre is nothing but a miserable little gnome that sooner or later we shall know about. Well done, interrupted Fabian, thy head is assuredly turning. What art thou saying about gnomes, magical effects and other ridiculous stuff? I who thought thee a strong mind begin to lose good part of my admiration for thee. How is it that thou dost not know that the man of the crystal chariot is no other than Dr. Prosper Alpinus, whose country house is situated two gunshots from the city? There are circulated many singular reports concerning him. There are people who even affirm that this excellent man has commerce with the invisible world. But they are not wise men like thee and me who would dare to give credence to the credulous prejudices of the vulgar. The inventions of Dr. Alpinus alone compose his magic. He luxuriously rides in a chariot of such singular construction that the good wives imagine on seeing it pass that we have returned to fairy times. This is, nevertheless, only original. The body has the form of a half open shell. It is of steel plated with silver. In the mechanism is placed a musical movement which is acted upon by the rotation. The famous silver pheasant that dazzled thee is a little lackey muffled up in plumes and painted feathers. And the wings of the beetle that you thought you saw are only the reflection of the pigeon throat coloured parasol which shelters the honourable Alpinus. As for the marvellous carbuncle whose reflection dazzled thy eyes, it is the most remarkable object of his whole collection. It is pretended that on fixing the eyes upon the centre of this rare jewel there is seen to spring out from it as from a concave mirror the image of the person who at the time occupies your thoughts. Indeed exclaimed Balthazar. Oh yes, but it is only a report said Fabian. Educated people are not to be caught by such nonsense. Nonsense as much as thou wilt, replied Balthazar, but certainly I am not wanting more than anyone in good sense and reason. A crystal shell is not of steel plated with silver. A pheasant is very little like a lackey. A street organ is essentially different from a harmonica and I have never seen a parasol which could be mistaken for a beetle. Thus I affirm and I maintain that the person I met was not Dr. Prosper Alpinus or that the aforesaid doctor is a sorcerer. Obstinate fellow, replied Fabian, come and convince thyself with thy own eyes. I will immediately conduct thee to the house of Dr. Alpinus. He immediately took Balthazar by the arm and dragged him to the gate of the park which surrounded the learned man's house. How shall we gain admission, said Balthazar. You must do as common people do a knock, answered Fabian, raising and dropping the copper knocker attached to the lock. A subterranean grumbling was soon heard which resembled the sound of thunder among distant mountains. The gate opened of itself as if by enchantment and the two friends advanced through a broad avenue which led to the house. Balthazar expatiated on the beauty of the trees with emerald foliage which ornamented this part of the park. Fabian was near walking over two enormous frogs that followed him from the entrance, jumping along by his side. Fine property this, exclaimed he, where such vermin as this is tolerated. And at the same time he stooped to pick up a stone and throw it at the frogs, but they both jumped into the bushes and from thence looked at him with strangely expressive eyes. He threw a stone, but the frog immediately became an old woman, bending over the border of the avenue, and who said to him, May misfortune happen to thee, to thee who comest with ill treatment for poor people, reduced to the necessity of working like negroes to earn a little bread. The other frog was transformed into a little old man with red and angry eyes who began to break off the decayed portions of the hedge. Balthasar was afraid and made his friend hasten along. On arriving at the lawn before the entrance to the house, they found there the two white unicorns who were feeding at large to the sound of a delicious music. Well, what did I tell thee, exclaimed Balthasar, does thou see and hear now? I only see, said the student, two little white horses put out to grass, and the noise that we hear is nothing but the phenomenon known under the name of the Aeolian harp. The house of alpinus was of slight construction, and of exquisite elegance. It was only one story high. Balthasar pulled the bell, the door opened, and a bird of the size of an ostrich with golden plumage came forward as the porter of the habitation. Good, exclaimed Fabian, here is a singular servant, and seizing the ostrich by the bunch of down that hung from his beak, he added, go quickly, my bird friend, and announce us to thy illustrious master. The bird answered by a most menacing scream, and bit the lively student on the finger, causing him to cry out with pain. He would undoubtedly have fought with this enemy if the door of an inner apartment had not been opened. A little bit of a thin man, dry and pale, wearing a black velvet cap, from which escaped a profusion of long hair, and clothed in an oriental robe of deep yellow, with red boots trimmed with ermine, advanced towards the two friends. This was Dr. Alpinus. Great good nature was exhibited in every feature, but on looking at him closely and attentively, his face appeared transparent, like a glass cage, in the centre of which was seen another and a smaller figure, which looked out of his eyes, as though they were windows. Dear gentlemen, said he to them in a sweet and plaintive voice, I saw you coming, and besides, I knew beforehand that Master Balthasar would pay me a visit. Take the trouble to follow me. At these words, Prosper Alpinus walking before conducted them into a kind of observatory, hung with sky blue draperies. The light came into it from a dome-like roof. In the middle of it was placed a white marble table, supported upon the back of a sphinx. There was no other furniture. What can I now do to serve you? asked the doctor. Balthasar spoke and related the disturbance which had been caused in carapies by the arrival of the dwarfs in Arbry. He ended by saying that, according to his own private conviction, Prosper Alpinus alone in the world had power to dispel this accursed enchantment. The doctor reflected for several minutes. He then answered Balthasar in a grave, an almost indistinct tone of voice. I know, as well as you, that there is, in these adventures, something mysterious. But it is necessary, before all, to discover the hidden power which governs this intrigue. I am persuaded that your little scenarbray is nothing but a mandrake. Besides, I can assure myself of it, immediately. The doctor placed his hands upon a silk cord, which moved some hidden springs. A drapery was drawn aside, exposing to view a library filled with folios bound in red. A cedar stepladder descended from the ceiling to the floor. Prosper Alpinus ascended to the highest shelf and took down a volume, which he brought and laid upon the table. This book, said he to the student, treats of mandrakes or vegetable men. All that exists are represented in pictures that we are about to look over. If we find there the figure of your scenarbray, he will immediately fall into my power. When the volume was opened, they saw a great number of images, representing a multitude of little dwarfs of every kind and form. As soon as the doctor touched one of them, he became endowed with life, sprang out of the book, and began to caper about on the marble table, making a noise like a humming top. Until the doctor, seizing him by the head, placed him on the leaf of the volume, where he immediately flattened out again like a coloured engraving. All the plates in the book were passed in review, without enabling Balthazar to recognise scenarbray. That is singular, said Alpinus, but let us see, perhaps scenarbray belongs to the family of gnomes. He ascended the cedar steps again and took down another volume, which he opened like the former on the marble table. The plates in this book represented monsters with brown or black hair and with the most hideous countenances. Each one of these, touched by the doctor, uttered a noisy cluck, came out of the leaf, crawling about like a caterpillar, and tumbling about on the marble table, whimpered loudly until Prosper Alpinus put him back into the book again. Scenarbray was not among these gnomes. That is very strange, said Alpinus, but let us try again. And he began to meditate. Now whilst he was thus dreaming, voices were heard singing in chorus, after a very sweet and agreeable fashion. Master Prosper said Fabian, you have marvellous music here. The doctor did not answer. He looked fixedly upon Balthazar, and with his arms extended towards him, shaking his fingers from time to time, as if to throw off drops of invisible fluid. He then took the student's hands in his, saying to him with interested gravity. Follow me, my young friend. I'm going to try and experiment for the success of which I shall absolutely need your assistance. Come. The two students followed the doctor through several rooms, inhabited by singular animals, who were occupied in reading, writing, painting and dancing. Further on, a double door opened before them, and they found themselves before a thick cloud behind which Alpinus disappeared. The cloud soon burst asunder with a crash. Balthazar and Fabian first saw an oval room filled with transparent vapor. By degrees, the walls of the room melted into a strange distance, and in their place appeared woods and fields, barmy with unknown perfumes. Prosper Alpinus appeared in the midst of this landscape, clothed in white like an Indian priest. He placed in the middle of the room a crystal mirror of spherical form, and after having covered it with a veil, he called Balthazar. Young man said he to him, place yourself before this mirror, and concentrate all your thoughts upon Candida. Energetically wish her to appear in this place immediately. Balthazar called to Candida from his heart, filled with boundless love. Whilst Prosper Alpinus described magnetic circles around his head, this operation had hardly lasted two seconds when Balthazar saw a bluish vapor condensing upon the surface of the mirror, which gradually assumed the features of Candida, adorned with all their natural charms. But this ravishing sight had hardly presented itself to the eyes of the amorous Balthazar, when the ignoble face of Cinnabre showed itself near that of Candida. They were kissing each other, at the sight of this, Balthazar furious was nigh bursting when Prosper Alpinus seized him by the shoulders with extreme violence and placed his magic cane in his hand, saying in a whisper, Strike, strike your enemy Cinnabre forcibly, but without stirring from the place where you stand. The student took the cane and striking with all his might, he saw Cinnabre fall and roll on the ground, animated by this success, he made a step forward to give him a finishing blow. But the vision suddenly vanished. Stop, imprudent man, stop, cried out the doctor to him. If you break that mirror, it would be all over with us. Let us go out from this place, a stay of several seconds longer might be fatal to us. They all three precipitately left the room. I am now sure continued Alpinus, when they returned to the blue chamber, that Cinnabre is neither a mandrake nor a gnome. He is simply an ordinary dwarf, but protected and put into operation by a hidden power, which I cannot yet discover. But come and see me again, dear Balthazar, until then I will think of the surest means of bringing this adventure to a conclusion. When the two friends had taken leave of Dr. Alpinus, who left them at the door of his apartment, Fabian could not refrain from playing another trick upon the bird porter. But this time, as at first, the golden-plumed ostrich gave another an angrier scream and bit the inconsiderate student's finger again, who fled as fast as his legs would carry him, swearing desperately. The two frogs of the avenue reconducted the visitors to the park gate, which closed itself again behind them with a subdued creek. Ah, so! But, my dear friend, exclaimed Balthazar, who had been forced into a run to rejoin Fabian, what singular coat has thou thought of wearing today, with tails disproportionately long and such short sleeves? Fabian looked at himself and was not a little surprised at his strange appearance. His shortened sleeves only reached to his elbows, whilst the tails of his coat were so long as to drag on the ground behind him. He hastened to draw down the sleeves and pull up on the shoulders, imagining that the evil was thus repaired. But at the gates of the city, the sleeves became still shorter and the tails grew longer, very fast, so that all the little blaggards in the street began to hoot at him and jump upon the tail of his coat. Poor Fabian thought himself bewitched. He made vain efforts to gather up the infernal tail, which still increased. Finally, quite confused by the noise by which he was escorted, he threw himself into the first house the door of which he found open. As soon as he had entered, his coat returned to its ordinary proportions. He found in this house the referendary, Pulture, who drew him aside and said to him mysteriously, How darest thou show thyself in the streets of Carapes, when the university officers are on thy track, with an order for thy arrest? Well, what have I done? exclaimed Balthazar. How canst thou ask me such a question? replied Pulture. Has thou so soon forgotten that thou didst force open Professor Moshterpin's house and assailed the accursed Cenabre in the very arms of his future wife and so severely that the physicians do not really know whether he will recover or not. What are you telling me? interrupted Balthazar. I have been out of the city since morning. Go along, replied Master Pulture. Show astonishment to others. Among friends we know too well what to depend on. Just now the ridiculous equipment of Fabian was the reason that no one took notice of your presence. But now if you wish to avoid being imprisoned, I advise you to move off without drum or trumpet. Give me your key so that I may go this evening and pack up your things. But first I will take you to Hawk Jacobsheim and put you in a safe place. Poor Balthazar mechanically allowed himself to be dragged along like a stupified man. End of chapter 15.