But it was reported that he had buried great treasures, a rumour, however absurd, not altogether inconsistent with his character." "What was his character ?" asked Mrs.Poyntz.
"One of evil and sinister repute.

He was regarded with terror by the attendants who had accompanied him to Aleppo.

But he had lived in a very remote part of the East, little known to Europeans, and, from all I could learn, had there established an extraordinary power, strengthened by superstitious awe.

He was said to have studied deeply that knowledge which the philosophers of old called 'occult,' not, like the Sage of Aleppo, for benevolent, but for malignant ends.

He was accused of conferring with evil spirits, and filling his barbaric court (for he lived in a kind of savage royalty) with charmers and sorcerers.