Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Leather Funnel
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"Ascienceofcharlatans!"
"Thecharlatanisalwaysthepioneer.Fromtheastrologercametheastronomer,fromthealchemistthechemist,fromthemesmeristtheexperimentalpsychologist.Thequackofyesterdayistheprofessoroftomorrow.Evensuchsubtleandelusivethingsasdreamswillintimebereducedtosystemandorder.Whenthattimecomestheresearchesofourfriendsonthebookshelfyonderwillnolongerbetheamusementofthemystic,butthefoundationsofascience."
"Supposingthatisso,whathasthescienceofdreamstodowithalarge,black,brass-rimmedfunnel?"
"Iwilltellyou.YouknowthatIhaveanagentwhoisalwaysonthelook-outforraritiesandcuriositiesformycollection.SomedaysagoheheardofadealerupononeoftheQuaiswhohadacquiredsomeoldrubbishfoundinacupboardinanancienthouseatthebackoftheRueMathurin,intheQuartierLatin.Thedining-roomofthisoldhouseisdecoratedwithacoatofarms,chevrons,andbarsrougeuponafieldargent,whichprove,uponinquiry,tobetheshieldofNicholasdelaReynie,ahighofficialofKingLouisXIV.Therecanbenodoubtthattheotherarticlesinthecupboarddatebacktotheearlydaysofthatking.Theinferenceis,therefore,thattheywereallthepropertyofthisNicholasdelaReynie,whowas,asIunderstand,thegentlemanspeciallyconcernedwiththemaintenanceandexecutionoftheDraconiclawsofthatepoch."
"Whatthen?"
"Iwouldaskyounowtotakethefunnelintoyourhandsoncemoreandtoexaminetheupperbrassrim.
