the ether were affected to the degree which he maintains, and if
it were obnoxious to human health, the result of it would
already be apparent upon ourselves?" Here he laughed with
uproarious triumph over his own argument. "Yes, sir, we should
already be very far from our normal selves, and instead of
sitting quietly discussing scientific problems in a railway
train we should be showing actual symptoms of the poison which
was working within us. Where do we see any signs of this
poisonous cosmic disturbance? Answer me that, sir! Answer me
that! Come, come, no evasion! I pin you to an answer!"

I felt more and more angry. There was something very irritating
and aggressive in Summerlee's demeanour.

"I think that if you knew more about the facts you might be less
positive in your opinion," said I.

Summerlee took his pipe from his mouth and fixed me with a stony
stare.

"Pray what do you mean, sir, by that somewhat impertinent
observation?"

"I mean that when I was leaving the office the news editor told
me that a telegram had come in confirming the general illness of
the Sumatra natives, and adding that the lights had not been lit
in the Straits of Sunda."

"Really, there should be some limits to human folly!" cried
Summerlee in a positive fury. "Is it possible that you do not