ed, and their clothing is all destroyed. But in
catacausis they are stricken down without warning, the limbs are rarely
burned, and only the clothing in contact with the head and chest is
consumed. The residue is like a distillation of animal tissue, grey and
dark, with an overpoweringly fetid odour. They are said to burn with
a flickering stifled blue flame, and water, far from arresting the
combustion, seems to add to it. Gin is particularly rich in inflammable,
empyreumatic oils, as they are called, and in most cases it is recorded
that the catacausis took place among gin-drinkers, old and obese.

"'Within the past few years cases are on record which seem to establish
catacausis beyond doubt. In one case the heat was so great as to explode
a pistol in the pocket of the victim. In another, a woman, the victim's
husband was asphyxiated by the smoke. The woman weighed, one hundred and
eighty pounds in life, but the ashes weighed only twelve pounds: In all
these cases the proof of spontaneous combustion seems conclusive.'"

As Craig finished reading, we looked blankly, horrified, at one another.
It was too dreadful to realise.

"What do you think of it, Professor" asked James Langley, at length.
"I've read somewhere of such cases, but to think of its actually
happening--and to my own brother. Do you really think Lewis could have
met his death in this terrible manner?"

Kennedy made no reply. Harrington seemed absorbed in thought. A shudder
passed over us as we thought about it. But, gruesome as it was, it was
evident that the publication of the story in the Record had relieved the
feelings of the family group in one respect--it at least seemed to offer
an explanation. It was noticeable that the suspicious air with which
everyone had regarded everyone else was considerably dispelled.

Tom said nothing until the others had withdrawn. "Kennedy," he
burst out, then, "do you believe that such combustion is absolutely
spontaneous? Don't you believe that something else is necessary to start
it?"

"I'd rather not express an opinion just yet, Tom," answered Craig
carefully. "Now, if you can get Harrington and Doctor Putnam away from
the house for a short time, as you did with your uncle and cousin this
morning, I may be able to tell you something about this case soon."

Again Kennedy stole into another bedroom, and returned to our room with
a hunting-jacket. Just as he had done before, he carefully washed it
off with the g