a respectful spirit. For my own part, I am quite satisfied with what I have seen. Τι convinces me of-hum-the reality of these phenomena.'

The other elderly gentleman concurred. Dr. Kendall and Sir James, who had been comparing notes, said that they would reserve their final judgment until they had been present at another séance. In the mean time they would go so far as to say that what they had witnessed was very extraordinary indeed.

'How are you now, Eustasia?' said the Professor, addressing his sister.

My head aches. I feel as if I had been standing for hours in a burning sun. When you called me back I was dreaming so strangely. I thought I was in some celestial place, walking hand in hand with the Lord Jesus.'

Bradley looked at the speaker's face. It looked full of elfin or witch-like rather than

angelic light. Their eyes met, and Eustasia gave a curious smile.

'Will you come again, Mr. Bradley?'

'I don't know. Perhaps; that is to say, if you will permit me.'

'I do think, sir,' interrupted the Professor, 'that you have given offence to the celestial intelligences, and I am not inclined to admit you to our circle again.'

Several voices murmured approval.

'You are wrong, brother,' cried Eustasia,

'you are quite wrong.'

'What do you mean, Eustasia?'

'I mean that Mr. Bradley is a medium himself, and a particular favourite with spirits of the first order.'

The Professor seemed to reflect.

'Well, if that's so (and you ought to know), it's another matter. But he'll have to promise

not to break the conditions. It ain't fair to the spirits; it ain't fair to his fellowinquirers.'

One by one the company departed, but Bradley still lingered, as if he had something still to hear or say. At last, when the last visitor had gone, and the landlady had grimly stalked away to continue her duties in the basement of the house, he found himself alone with the brother and sister.

He stood hesitating, hat in hand.

'May I ask you a few questions?' he said,

addressing Eustasia.

Why, certainly,' she replied.

'While you were in the state of trance did

you see or hear anything that took place in

this room?'

Eustasia shook her head.

'Do you know anything whatever of my private life?'

'I guess not, except what I've read in the papers.

'Do you know a lady named Craik, who is one of the members of my congregation?'

The answer came in another shake of the head, and a blank look expressing entire ignorance. Either Eustasia knew nothing whatever, or she was a most accomplished actress. Puzzled and amazed, yet still suspecting fraud of some kind, Bradley took his leave.

57

CHAPTER XXV.

A CATASTROPHE.

'After life's fitful fever, she sleeps well!'

THE few days following the one on which the spiritualistic séance was held were passed by Bradley in a sort of dream. The more he thought of what he had heard and seen, the more puzzled he became. At times he seemed half inclined to believe in supernatural collaboration, then he flouted his belief and laughed contemptuously at himself. Of course it was all imposture, and he had been a dupe.

Then he thought of Eustasia, and the