nxiety to
please the old woman; on the other I felt sure she gained her knowledge
by unlawful means.

I decided at length. I would go to the vicar that very night. It was
not late yet, only half-past eight, and daylight had barely gone.
Surely the Rev. Thomas Polperrow would settle the matter for me. If
her power were evil he could guard me against it; if it were good, then
all was well.

It was a beautiful night. The moon was nearly full, although it was
encircled by a large misty ring, which betokened a change in the
weather; but the sea was calm and bright, and shone like glass. All
along the coast I could see the misty outlines of the cliffs, while
here and there a giant rock jutted into the water.

What was that? A wail!

Was it the night cry of a sea bird telling of the foretold storm? Or
was it----stop!

A figure all in white stood near me!

I could not move. I was riveted to the place. Surely it was a
visitant from the spirit land!

Slowly it moved away. It went to the edge of the cliffs and
disappeared from my sight.

I was not so much surprised at this, for there was more than one spot
along the coast where those acquainted with the place could disappear
as if by magic. Still, my nerves were shaken. Perhaps some evil was
portended. I would rather have returned home, but I felt drawn to go
to the vicar. He could explain. He could tell me what I wanted to
know.

Does anything happen in one's life without a meaning? Is the Great
Spirit of God in every event, ever trying to warn us from evil and draw
us towards good? If so, these things of which I am now writing must be
in some way connected with the after events of my life. But I shall
not try to connect them now. All I purpose to do is to write just what
happened, so that my children and my children's children may learn
lessons from my history.

I hurried on to the vicarage, therefore, and was soon admitted to the
study, I anxious to ask Mr. Polperrow's advice, he evidently wondering
what I had to say to him.

CHAPTER III

THE MARCH OF EVENTS

"Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live."--_Ex._ xxii. 18.

"Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar
spirit, that I may go to her and inquire of her. And his servants said
unto him, Behold there is a woman with a familiar spirit at Endor."--1
_Sam._ xxviii. 7.

"Well, Roger, and what do you wish to see me about?" asked Mr.
Polperrow as soon as