company bewildered and suspicious.
“Why, it is nearly eight,” he cried.
Mr. Vincent smiled reassuringly.
“It is about that,” he said. “Please sit down again, Mr. Baxter.”
“But—but—” began Laurie.
“Please sit down again, Mr. Baxter,” repeated the voice, with a touch of imperiousness that there was no resisting.
Laurie sat down again; but he was alert, suspicious, and intensely puzzled.
“Will you kindly tell me what has happened?” he asked sharply.
“You feel tired?”
“No; I am all right. Kindly tell me what has happened.”
He saw Lady Laura whisper something in an undertone he could not hear. Mr. Vincent stood up with a nod and leaned himself against the mantelpiece, looking down at the rather indignant young man.
“Certainly,” he said. “You are sure you are not exhausted, Mr. Baxter?”
“Not in the least,” said Laurie.
“Well, then, you passed into trance about five minutes—”
“ What? ”
“You passed into trance about five minutes past six; you came out of it five minutes ago.”
“Trance?” gasped Laurie.