explained and discounted. Hypnotism, water divining, witchcraft, and the rest. All these had once been believed to be indisputable proofs of a life beyond the grave, of strange supernormal personalities, and these, one by one, had been either accounted for or discredited. It was mad of him to be alarmed or excited. No, he would go through with it, expecting nothing, hoping nothing. But he would just go through with it to satisfy himself. …
The door opened, and the two ladies came in.
“I am delighted that you called, Mr. Baxter; and on such an errand!”
Lady Laura put out a hand, tremulous with pleasure at welcoming a possible disciple.
“ Mrs. Stapleton has explained—” began Laurie.
“I understand everything. You come as a skeptic—no, not as a skeptic, but as an inquirer, that is all that we wish. … Then tomorrow, at about half-past four.”