Alone, under the canopy of Heaven, Adoni gazed in silent wonder, thanking God for the glorious opportunity afforded him on these heights. The sublimity of its splendor far transcended his most exalted dream of dreams, from which he was recalled by the swiftly approaching footsteps of an Indian youth standing now before him, clad in loose, gold-tinted garb, girded about with a broad scarf of black and scarlet.

His head was covered with a cowl which partially covered the blue-black hair which fell in ringlets over his olive tinted face and neck.

The dark eyes looked at Adoni kindly, and in broken accent he said:

"The master awaits you - come."

Silently they wended their way along a narrow, winding path, lined thickly on both sides with rare mountain flowers. Adoni inhaled with deep-drawn breaths the balmy air.

Silently he followed his mute guide who suddenly disappeared among the shrubbery. In his place appeared a tall, commanding figure robed in white garments like that of a priest. His face was young and intellectual; his gray eyes, luminous, gleaned like iridescent jewels. With a smile of welcome he extended his hand in greeting, saying in a voice that expressed all that was divine in human speech:

"You are welcome, my son."

"Thank you," murmured Adoni, with deep feeling.

"I have long awaited your coming."

"And I am happy to have obeyed the silent call."

"Come, let me take you to your humble abode, where you will find rest and refreshment."

They were now joined by the picturesque youth, who, with the aid of the faithful japa-bearers, took charge of the luggage.

Adoni followed his host and found himself in a large plain room with a huge fireplace built into the cliff which formed one side of the wall of the chalet. A large uncurtained window looked out upon the waving plumes that clothed the ravine, upon the foaming river below. The furniture was simple and of crude design. The walls were hung with rich-hued oriental stuff which half concealed the long rows of book shelves. Following his guide, Adoni ascended a narrow stairway leading to an upper room, also plain and bare. A small camp bedstead, a table, two chairs and curtained rack for clothing, completed its furnishings. From a large overhanging window a wonderful view greeted the eye. It was the majestic home of the forest king. The white peaks in the realm of eternal snow beyond seemed almost within Adoni's grasp.

"You will find little of modern luxury or convenience here except light and bath, which you may enjoy now after your long journey. When you have rested sufficiently you may join me again. We dine at seven, when the sun casts its rays through this open window."

The servant having brought the luggage - Adoni was left alone. For the first time he seemed to sense even more deeply the majesty of the ancient East.

After enjoying the luxury of the simple bath and a change to fresh linen, Adoni was attracted to several books lying on a little table. He turned the pages of each one indifferently until the last one, which riveted his attention. Eagerly he devoured its contents, seemingly forgetting time and place until he heard a silver toned bell chiming the hour of seven.

Hastily he descended the narrow stairs, where at the foot he was met by his host who conducted him into a small dining room. They were immediately served by the same picturesque youth with noiseless dexterity. The repast was simple, consisting of gluten bread, nuts, fresh vegetables and fruits.

"You appear to have suffered little fatigue from your long journey," remarked Adoni's host, surveying him with friendly scrutiny.

"No, indeed. I enjoyed the rough trip too thoroughly to become weary. It was a most delightful and intensely fascinating experience to me."

"What part of your journey did you find most enjoyable?"

"The sea, although these wonderful mountains are quite as impressive and mysterious. Both hold an unfailing interest for the lover of nature."

"I am happy to know that you are a lover as well as a student of its science."

"I was greatly interested," replied Adoni, "in a book which I found in my room, written by Ramen Bashinar, of whom I have heard as the founder of a School of New Thought. This writer's views are said to combine old creeds with the revelation of modern science. I have read his book, 'Secret Power of Jesus' but have never been able to get in touch with any of his other writings until I found this book, 'Divine Wisdom' on my table. Can you enlighten me further concerning him?"

"I can," rejoined the teacher. "He is called the Luther of Brahminical Catholicism. In early life he revolted against the monstrous system of Hindu Idolatry, seeing how modern Brahmanism is at variance with the monotheistic teachings of the Vedas. He translated an ancient Sanskrit, which was the means of gaining for him a large following. This sect strongly condemned child marriage, the perpetual seclusion of women and the burning of widows. Like the ancient Vedas it is far from authorizing caste of the Brahminical priesthood, and holds that all men are equal before God, and should be given the same opportrinities for development. Its tenets are in full accord with evolution and hold that there is no religion higher than truth."

Adoni listened intently, then with keenest enthusiasm said: "This thought has been the one dream of my life; for the realization of it I could give myself unstintedly."

A piercing look flashed from the Mystic's eyes as he replied firmly: "If you are found worthy, you will be given this opportunity to spread the light of this gospel in the West, for which you have been summoned here."

"Ah," said Adoni with a smile, "then I am right in concluding that you who are to be my teacher, are also one of the disciples of this philosophy."

"I am, if one may be termed a disciple of that which he is also the founder and leader."

Adoni was speechless. Moments passed - then in a reverent voice he exclaimed eagerly: "You are Ramen Bashinar?"

His host bowed smilingly. "And you are Adoni Bourdalone. Although we did not observe the formality of an introduction we seem to know each other well."

With a puzzled expression Adoni protested. "But I cannot understand - it seems impossible - for Ramen Bashinar must be at least eighty years old, and you appear not to have reached the half century of your life."

A quizzical look of amusement fell from the eyes of Bashinar.

"I may not fulfill the required conditions of age, as I have trained myself to take no heed of time, which after all has no reality in life, which, when 'understanding the law,9 should be lived for centuries. But of this we will talk later. You spoke of giving yourself unstintedly to spreading the Gospel of this new creed. Do you realize that to do this effectively requires your freedom from the trammels of dogmatic theology?"

"I have already severed my connection with the church."

"Further, it will be necessary for you to cultivate an open mind; live the highest ideals of human conception in a world of activity."

"Then you do not approve of those intellectual dreamers who devote their lives to speculation and abstract theories?"

"Not I," answered Bashinar quietly. "The man who isolates himself from every day life cannot understand nor sympathize with the need of humanity, and cannot appreciate human endeavor and achievement. Like the ascetic who retires into a monastery to fast and chastise normal desires of the body, he becomes an artificial product in direct opposition to the law of God, who gave us our faculties to use. The soul evolves through self-expression, rather than self-repression. Now let us comply with the law that requires rest and repose after the day's activities."

"Tomorrow morning, if it is your pleasure, we will go to Benares. It is the season for the annual pilgrimage to that holy city. This religious festival is an event that should not be missed, for it affords great opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of the practice of millions of devotees to the Brahminical faith which has been in existence for more than three thousand years."

To this plan Adoni eagerly assented, assuring his host that it would be a pleasure that he long had hoped for. Bidding him good-night, he again mounted the stairs, and by the roar of the rushing river was soon lulled to sleep.

"The heart must be pure to be fearless."