u came into it. I cannot
recall any thing definite."

"If you have not been out to-day, Agatha, how is it that your shoes are
dusty?"

A pained look came over her face.

"Really, Austin, I do not know what is the matter with you this
morning. One would almost think that you doubted my word. If my boots
are dusty, it must be, of course, that I have put on a pair which the
maid had not cleaned."

It was perfectly evident that she knew nothing whatever about the
matter, and I reflected that, after all, perhaps it was better that I
should not enlighten her. It might frighten her, and could serve no
good purpose that I could see. I said no more about it, therefore, and
left shortly afterward to give my lecture.

But I am immensely impressed. My horizon of scientific possibilities
has suddenly been enormously extended. I no longer wonder at Wilson's
demonic energy and enthusiasm. Who would not work hard who had a vast
virgin field ready to his hand? Why, I have known the novel shape of a
nucleolus, or a trifling peculiarity of striped muscular fibre seen
under a 300-diameter lens, fill me with exultation. How petty do such
researches seem when compared with this one which strikes at the very
roots of life and the nature of the soul! I had always looked upon
spirit as a product of matter. The brain, I thought, secreted the
mind, as the liver does the bile. But how can this be when I see mind
working from a distance and playing upon matter as a musician might
upon a violin? The body does not give rise to the soul, then, but is
rather the rough instrument by which the spirit manifests itself. The
windmill does not give rise to the wind, but only indicates it. It was
opposed to my whole habit of thought, and yet it was undeniably
possible and worthy of investigation.

And why should I not investigate it? I see that under yesterday's date
I said: "If I could see something positive and objective, I might be
tempted to approach it from the physiological aspect." Well, I have
got my test. I shall be as good as my word. The investigation would,
I am sure, be of immense interest. Some of my colleagues might look
askance at it, for science is full of unreasoning prejudices, but if
Wilson has the courage of his convictions, I can afford to have it
also. I shall go to him to-morrow morning--to him and to Miss
Penclosa. If she can show us so much, it is probable that she can show
us more.

II

Marc