Part 21 (2/2)

”Bah! No.”

”And yet they say it is a careful and scientific study.”

”They say! Who say?”

Serviss smiled. ”The spiritualists.” Then lightly added: ”What would you and the rest of the scientific world do to me if I should go into this investigation and come out converted?”

The old man's eyes twinkled and his mustache writhed in silent enjoyment. ”Burn you alive, as we did Bent and Zollner.”

”Of course you would. What you really want me to do is to go in and smash the whole thing, eh?”

”That's about it.”

”Clarke, that crazy preacher, said we men of science were just as dogmatic in our way as the bishops, and I begin to think he's right.

We condemn without investigation--we play the heretic, just as they did. Could you--could any man--go into this thing and not lose standing among his fellows?”

”No.” The old figure straightened, and his mustache bristled sternly.

”No; he who goes into this arena invites a kind of martyrdom--that is also why I say you, a _young_ man--you might live to see your vindication, but I would die in my disgrace as Zollner did.”

So they parted, Serviss admiring his chief's blunt honesty and vast learning, Weissmann busy with the thought that his eyes were failing, and his work nearly done, ”and so little accomplished,” he sadly added.

Kate met her brother at the door in a kind of fury. ”Something must be done for that girl. I have had a perfectly nerve-racking time. We must get her out of that house before they drive her crazy.”

The sincerity of her rage froze the smile on his face. ”Is it as bad as that?”

”It is as bad as you can imagine. That man Clarke has some kind of baneful influence over her. He seems able to control her by just waving his hand at her. And the mother is such a dear old silly--she trusts to him completely. But go and dress and we will talk it all over. I'm all of a-tremble yet with what I've seen. I feel as if I had been to an insane asylum and witnessed a strangling.”

He went away to his room, deeply perturbed, resentful of all this ill-regulated human nature which could so upset his sane sister and come between his own mind and his work. He believed in orderly and humorous human life. Why should this teasing, tormenting girl from the mountains come with her trances and tricks to make life furious and antic where it had been amusing and accountable? To what would a closer acquaintance lead? What would become of his studies if he gave himself to her case? ”To disillusionment, I sincerely hope,” he said.

As he joined his sister at dinner, he began, ”Well, now, sis, I'll listen.”

Kate had lost a little of her excitement under the influence of her toilet-table, but she was still tense and flushed, as she hesitated, her heart overflowing with sisterly admiration, so handsome, so strong, and so very established did Morton appear at the moment. His tone still further calmed and rea.s.sured her, and she began:

”In the first place, I like the girl very much; she is very pretty and much more _au fait_ than you had led me to suppose. Her manner is extremely good. The mother is dear and sweet, but deluded. Clarke and that old man Pratt ought to be in an asylum--or the calaboose.”

Morton laughed harshly. ”Your succinct statement puts me in complete possession of the case. They're all fakirs together.”

”No, I didn't mean that. They're all fanatics. You should see the spirit-paintings and the slate-writings in that house! It was like a journey to a far country. Really, Morton, it staggers belief to think that within twenty blocks of where we sit such a man and such a home can exist. They _do_ exist, and it only makes me realize how small a part of the city we know, after all. And some things I heard there to-day make me wonder if science _isn't_ shutting its eyes--as these people say--to a world right under its nose. Morton, those people _believe_ what they talk. That girl is honest; she may be self-deceived, but her sufferings are real. I can't believe that she is wicked.”

”Weissmann practically advised me to go into a study of these morbid conditions.”

”He did? Well, that from Rudolph Weissmann, after what I've _seen_ to-day, unsettles my reason. Maybe those people really have a message.

But, Morton, you really must do something for that girl. Her condition is pitiful. One of the plans of that lunatic Clarke is to issue a challenge to the world of science and to throw that girl into the arena for you scientists to tear.”

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