ejoined. "I never believe nor
disbelieve. If you will excuse my speaking frankly, I mean to observe
you closely, and to decide for myself."

Doctor Lagarde smiled sadly.

"You have heard of me as a charlatan who contrives to amuse a few idle
people," he said. "I don't complain of that; my present position leads
necessarily to misinterpretation of myself and my motives. Still, I may
at least say that I am the victim of a sincere avowal of my belief in
a great science. Yes! I repeat it, a great science! New, I dare say, to
the generation we live in, though it was known and practiced in the days
when pyramids were built. The age is advancing; and the truths which
it is my misfortune to advocate, before the time is ripe for them, are
steadily forcing their way to recognition. I am resigned to wait. My
sincerity in this matter has cost me the income that I derived from my
medical practice. Patients distrust me; doctors refuse to consult with
me. I could starve if I had no one to think of but myself. But I have
another person to consider, who is very dear to me; and I am driven,
literally driven, either to turn beggar in the streets, or do what I am
doing now."

He paused, and looked round toward the corner of the room behind him.
"Mother," he said gently, "are you ready?"

An elderly lady, dressed in deep mourning, rose from her seat in the
corner. She had been, thus far, hidden from notice by the high back of
the easy-chair in which her son sat. Excepting some f olds of fine black
lace, laid over her white hair so as to form a head-dress at once simple
and picturesque, there was nothing remarkable in her attire. The visitor
rose and bowed. She gravely returned his salute, and moved so as to
place herself opposite to her son.

"May I ask what this lady is going to do?" said the stranger.

"To be of any use to you," answered Doctor Lagarde, "I must be thrown
into the magnetic trance. The person who has the strongest influence
over me is the person who will do it to-night."

He turned to his mother. "When you like," he said.

Bending over him, she took both the Doctor's hands, and looked steadily
into his eyes. No words passed between them; nothing more took place. In
a minute or two, his head was resting against the back of the chair, and
his eyelids had closed.

"Are you sleeping?" asked Madame Lagarde.

"I am sleeping," he answered.

She laid his hands gently on the arms of the chair, and turned to
address the