You are fortunate if you have a solid and adventurous mind: most unfortunate if you are a mere sensational whipster.

There 's an explanation that covers the whole.

I am as much in the dark as you are.

I do not say which of us two has the convex eye.' Protesting that I was unable to read riddles, though the heat of the one in hand made my frame glow, I entreated to have explicit words.

He might be in Ottilia's confidence, probing me--why not?
Any question he chose to put to me, I said, I was ready to answer.
'But it's the questioner who unmasks,' said he.
'Are we masked, Herr Professor?
I was not aware of it.' 'Look within, and avoid lying.' He stood up.