't bring positive trouble into his father's
life on the off chance of removing a sorrow, which, though real, was
softened and solaced by the very fraud that he would expose.

No; the more he thought the more he saw his duty was to eliminate
himself for all time from his home and friends.

And Carly?

He tried not to think about her, for his duty must be his paramount
consideration. He would wait a day or so, and then disappear again, and
forever.

CHAPTER XV

An Interview

"Well, Mr. Douglas, what can I do for you?"

Benjamin Crane spoke cordially, and smiled genially at the young man who
had called on him in his home.

"You can turn me down, sir, if you like, or, if you'll be so kind, you
can give me a few details of these strange experiences of yours in
occult matters."

"Are you a reporter?"

"I am, but also I want to be something more than that. And in this case
I want to write up these things for a special article, and a personal
interview would help a lot."

"Well, my boy, you impress me pleasantly, and, as I like nothing better
than to talk on my favorite subject, I'll give you a fifteen-minute
chat. More than that I cannot spare time for."

"Then let's confine our talk to the phase that interests me most. I can
get your beliefs and experiences from your book, you know. And your
personality," Douglas gave him a humorously appraising glance, "I am
gathering as we go along. First, will you tell me your attitude, mental
and spiritual, regarding the loss of your son? I mean, though I fear I
put it crudely, are you entirely reconciled to his death because of the
comfort you receive from his--er--communications and all that?"

"A difficult question to answer," Crane paused a moment, "but I think I
may say yes. I bow to the will of a Higher Power in the death of my son,
and I am grateful to that same Higher Power for the comfort that is mine
in the communion I have with my boy."

"Then you do not really grieve over his loss?"

"Not now--no. At first, of course, both his mother and I were crushed,
but when he came to us, in the spirit, we took heart, and now we are
perfectly satisfied--more than satisfied to accept our life conditions
just as they are."

"You have frequent communication with the spirit of your departed son?"

"Almost daily."

"With the same medium always?"

"Nowadays, yes. I tried various ones, but I rely on Madame Parlato. She
has had the greatest success, and now can r