forward, toward Lord Darcy, across
the table from him. His arms swung up toward Lord Darcy's throat as
the momentum of his body carried him toward the investigator.

He might have made it, but the weakness of his legs betrayed him. His
waist struck the edge of the massive oaken table, and most of his
forward momentum was lost. He collapsed forward, his hands still
grasping toward the surprised Englishman. His chin came down hard on
the table top. Then he slid back, taking the tablecloth and the china
and silverware with him. He lay unmoving on the floor. His wife did
not even stir except when the tablecloth tugged at her head.

Lord Darcy had jumped back, overturning his chair. He stood on his
feet, looking at the two unconscious forms.

* * * * *

"I don't think there's any permanent damage done to either," said Dr.
Pateley an hour later. "Lady Duncan was suffering from shock, of
course, but Father Bright brought her round in a hurry. She's a devout
woman, I think, even if a sinful one."

"What about Laird Duncan?" Lord Darcy asked.

"Well, that's a different matter. I'm afraid that his back injury was
aggravated, and that crack on the chin didn't do him any good. I don't
know whether Father Bright can help him or not. Healing takes the
co-operation of the patient. I did all I could for him, but I'm just a
chirurgeon, not a practitioner of the Healing Art. Father Bright has
quite a good reputation in that line, however, and he may be able to
do his lordship some good."

Master Sean shook his head dolefully. "His Reverence has the Talent,
there's no doubt of that, but now he's pitted against another man who
has it--a man whose mind is bent on self-destruction in the long run."

"Well, that's none of my affair," said Dr. Pateley. "I'm just a
technician. I'll leave healing up to the Church, where it belongs."

"Master Sean," said Lord Darcy, "there is still a mystery here. We
need more evidence. What about the eyes?"

Master Sean blinked. "You mean the picture test, my lord?"

"I do."

"It won't stand up in court, my lord," said the sorcerer.

"I'm aware of that," said Lord Darcy testily.

"Eye test?" Dr. Pateley asked blankly. "I don't believe I understand."

"It's not often used," said Master Sean. "It is a psychic phenomenon
that sometimes occurs at the moment of death--especially a violent
death. The violent emotional stress causes a sort of backfiring of the
mind, if y