extraordinary theory, and must not mind if we disagree with you."

"Speak for yourself alone, then," answered May. "I do not ask or
expect a man of your profession to agree with me. But the question
ceases to be your province."

"Do not say that, sir," urged Henry Lennox. "I don't think my
uncle agrees with you either. You are assuming too much."

"Honestly, I can't quite admit your assumption, my dear May,"
declared Sir Walter. "You go too far--farther than is justified
at this stage of events, at any rate. Were we in no doubt that a
spirit is granted power within my house to destroy human life,
then I confess, with due precautions, I could not deny you access
to it in the omnipotent Name you invoke. I am a Christian and
believe my Bible as soundly as you do. But why assume such an
extraordinary situation? Why seek a supernatural cause for dear
Tom's death before we are satisfied that no other exists?"

"Are you not satisfied? What mortal man can explain the facts on
any foundation of human knowledge?"

"Consider how limited human knowledge is," said Mannering, "and
grant that we have not exhausted its possibilities yet. There may
be some physical peculiarity about the room, some deadly but
perfectly natural chemical accident, some volatile stuff, in roof
or walls, that reacts to the lowered temperatures of night. A
thousand rare chance combinations of matter may occur which are
capable of examination, and which, under skilled experiment, will
resolve their secret. Nothing it more bewildering than a good