The Prophet of Berkeley Square

Book excerpt: 'The Prophet of Berkeley Square' is a supernatural-themed novel written by Robert Hichens. The story begins by describing the drawing-room of Number One Thousand Berkeley Square, where the Prophet lives with his live grandmother, Mrs. Merillia. The butler, Mr. Ferdinand, prepares the room with a copy of Mr. Malkiel's Almanac, bound in pink and silver brocade, and adjusts the telescope to point towards the bright stars in the December sky. The room is adorned with portraits of the Prophet's grandmothers and a bust of him as a child, as well as lovely furniture and elegant ornaments. The Prophet enters the room after dinner, carrying a book, and is described as a neatly-made little man of fashionable, even of modish cut, with a small-featured face, large brown eyes, and movements as light as those of a meditative squirrel.