He is set there—God only knows why—and his main business seems to be to restrain, if possible, from reentering the body those who have left it. Just occasionally his presence is perceived by those on this side, but not often. But I have been present at deathbeds where he has been seen—”
“Seen?”
“Oh! yes. Seen by the dying person. It is usually only a glimpse; it might be said to be a mistake. For myself I believe that that appalling terror that now and then shows itself, even in people who do not fear death itself, who are perfectly resigned, who have nothing on their conscience—well, personally, I believe the fear comes from a sight of this—this Personage.”
Laurie licked his dry lips. He told himself that he did not believe one word of it.
“And … and he is evil?” he asked.
The other shrugged his shoulders.
“Isn’t that a relative term?” he said. “From one point of view, certainly; but not necessarily from all.”
“And … and what’s the good of it?”
The medium smiled a little.
“That’s a question we soon cease to ask. You must remember that we hardly know anything at all yet. But one thing seems more and more certain the more we investigate, and that is that our point of view is not the only one, nor even