Tales of Space and Time

Tales of Space and Time<br/><br/> THE CRYSTAL EGG<br/><br/><br/> There was, until a year ago, a little and very grimy-looking shop near<br/> Seven Dials, over which, in weather-worn yellow lettering, the name of<br/> "C. Cave, Naturalist and Dealer in Antiquities," was inscribed. The<br/> contents of its window were curiously variegated. They comprised some<br/> elephant tusks and an imperfect set of chessmen, beads and weapons, a<br/> box of eyes, two skulls of tigers and one human, several moth-eaten<br/> stuffed monkeys (one holding a lamp), an old-fashioned cabinet, a<br/> flyblown ostrich egg or so, some fishing-tackle, and an extraordinarily<br/> dirty, empty glass fish-tank. There was also, at the moment the story<br/> begins, a mass of crystal, worked into the shape of an egg and<br/> brilliantly polished. And at that two people, who stood outside the<br/> window, were looking, one of them a tall, thin clergyman, the other a<br/> black-bearded young man of dusky complexion and unobtrusive costume. The<br/> dusky young man spoke with eager gesticulation, and seemed anxious for<br/> his companion to purchase the article.<br/><br/> While they were there, Mr. Cave came into his shop, his beard still<br/> wagging with the bread and butter of his tea. When he saw these men and<br/> the object of their regard, his countenance fell. He glanced guiltily<br/> over his shoulder, and softly shut the door. He was a little old man,<br/> with pale face and peculiar watery blue eyes; his hair was a dirty grey,<br/> and he wore a shabby blue frock coat, an ancient silk hat, and carpet<br/> slippers very much down at heel. He remained watching the two men as<br/> they talked. The clergyman went deep into his trouser pocket, examined a<br/> handful of money, and showed his teeth in an agreeable smile. Mr. Cave<br/> seemed still more depressed when they came into the shop.