| The first excerpt represents the element of Air. It speaks of mental influences and the process of thought, and is drawn from The Red Seal by Natalie Sumner Lincoln: but Grimes beckoned him to approach the bed. The butler waited
until he heard McIntyre's heavy tread and the lighter footfall of
the detective recede down the hall before speaking.
"I was only going to say, sir," he whispered as Kent, at a sign
from him, stooped over the bed, "I got a box of aconitine pills
for Mrs. Brewster on Sunday - the stuff that poisoned Mr. Turnbull,"
he paused to explain.
"Yes, go on," urged Kent, catching the man's excitement. "You
gave it to Mrs. Brewster -"
"No, sir; I didn't; I left the box on the hall table," Grimes
cleared his throat nervously. "I dunno who picked up that box
The Red Seal |
The second excerpt represents the element of Fire. It speaks of emotional influences and base passions, and is drawn from Journey to the Center of the Earth by Jules Verne: "Returning? Why, you are talking about the return before the arrival."
"No, I only want to know how that is to be managed."
"In the simplest way possible. When we have reached the centre of the
globe, either we shall find some new way to get back, or we shall
come back like decent folks the way we came. I feel pleased at the
thought that it is sure not to be shut against us."
"But then we shall have to refit the raft."
"Of course."
"Then, as to provisions, have we enough to last?"
"Yes; to be sure we have. Hans is a clever fellow, and I am sure he
must have saved a large part of our cargo. But still let us go and
Journey to the Center of the Earth |
| The third excerpt represents the element of Water. It speaks of pure spiritual influences and feelings of love, and is drawn from A Voyage to Abyssinia by Father Lobo: a stop to the progress of his arms.
The soldiers of Portugal, having lost their chief, resorted to the
Emperor, who, though young, promised great things, and told them
that since their own general was dead, they would accept of none but
himself. He received them with great kindness, and hearing of Don
Christopher de Gama's misfortune, could not forbear honouring with
some tears the memory of a man who had come so far to his succour,
and lost his life in his cause.
The Portuguese, resolved at any rate to revenge the fate of their
general, desired the Emperor to assign them the post opposite to
Mahomet, which was willingly granted them. That King, flushed with
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The fourth excerpt represents the element of Earth. It speaks of physical influences and the impact of the unseen on the visible world, and is drawn from The Wrecker by Stevenson & Osbourne: captain drew a bucket of water and began to bathe. Tommy sat
up, watched him awhile, and slowly followed his example; and
Carthew, remembering his last thoughts of the night before,
hastened to the cabin.
Mac was awake; perhaps had not slept. Over his head
Goddedaal's canary twittered shrilly from its cage.
"How are you?" asked Carthew.
"Me arrum's broke," returned Mac; "but I can stand that. It's
this place I can't abide. I was coming on deck anyway."
"Stay where you are, though," said Carthew. "It's deadly hot
above, and there's no wind. I'll wash out this----" and he
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