But
when Moses de Leon was gathered to the bosom of his father Abraham, a
wealthy Hebrew, Joseph de Avila, promised the scribe's widow, who had
been left destitute, that his son should marry her daughter, to whom
he would pay a handsome dowry, if she would give him the original
manuscript from which these copies were made. But the widow (one can
imagine with what gnashing of teeth) was obliged to confess that she had
no such manuscript, for Moses de Leon had composed _Zohar_ out of his own
head, and written it with his own right hand.'
Arthur got up to stretch his legs. He gave a laugh.
'I never know how much you really believe of all these things you tell
us. You speak with such gravity that we are all taken in, and then it
turns out that you've been laughing at us.'
'My dear friend, I never know myself how much I believe,' returned Dr
Porhoet.
'I wonder if it is for the same reason that Mr Haddo puzzles us so much,'
said Susie.
'Ah, there you have a case that is really interesting,' replied the
doctor. 'I assure you that, though I know him fairly intimately, I have
never been able to make up my mind whether he is an elaborate practical
joker, or whether he is really convinced he has the wonderful powers to
which he lays claim.
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