uman comprehension. To that extent I am converted, and, I
may add, humbled," said Bickley.

"So you ought to be," exclaimed Bastin, "seeing that you always swore
that there was nothing in the world that is not capable of a perfectly
natural explanation."

"Of which all these things may be capable, Bastin, if only we held the
key."

"Very well, Bickley, but how do you explain what the Lady Yva did? I may
tell you now what she commanded me to conceal at the time, namely, that
she became a Christian; so much so that by her own will, I baptised and
confirmed her on the very morning of her sacrifice. Doubtless it was
this that changed her heart so much that she became willing, of course
without my knowledge, to leave everything she cared for," here he looked
hard at me, "and lay down her life to save the world, half of which she
believed was about to be drowned by Oro. Now, considering her history
and upbringing, I call this a spiritual marvel, much greater than any
you now admit, and one you can't explain, Bickley."

"No, I cannot explain, or, at any rate, I will not try," he answered,
also staring hard at me. "Whatever she believed, or did not believe, and
whatever would or would not have happened, she was a great and wonderful
woman whose memory I worship."

"Quite so, Bickley, and now perhaps you see my point, that what you
describe as mere vain words may also be helpful to mankind; more so,
indeed, than your surgical instruments and pills."

"You couldn't convert Oro, anyway," exclaimed Bickley, with irritation.

"No, Bickley; but then I have always understood that the devil is beyond
conversion because he is beyond repentance. You see, I think that if
that old scoundrel was not the devil himself, at any rate he was a
bit of him, and, if I am right, I am not ashamed to have failed in his
case."

"Even Oro was not utterly bad, Bastin," I said, reflecting on certain
traits of mercy that he had shown, or that I dreamed him to have shown
in the course of our mysterious midnight journeys to various parts of
the earth. Also I remembered that he had loved Tommy and for his sake
had spared our lives. Lastly, I do not altogether wonder that he came to
certain hasty conclusions as to the value of our modern civilisations.

"I am very glad to hear it, Humphrey, since while there is a spark left
the whole fire may burn up again, and I believe that to the Divine mercy
there are no limits, though Oro will have a long road t