one or all three of you back with me, I spoke the truth again. Nothing could be plainer than I am speaking now; but you do not comprehend me, and it will be useless to attempt to make you understand.”
“Might I inquire if there is any way of getting back again to the earth?” asked the Doctor, with a sneer.
“Oh, yes. You can come back whenever you please.”
“Do you go by balloon, or flying machine; or is it”
“Stop! You cannot make me angry, so you may as well spare yourself the effort. My race have no such passion as anger. I will simply state that the means by which we go is one of the secrets I have promised to keep. If you decide to accompany me, the means will be furnished at the proper time.”
“Well, I don’t know as I should mind a trip to Mars provided I could get back again. I say, Maurice, how does it strike you?”
“I am listening,” answered Maurice, quietly.
“How long would it take?” inquired the Doctor.
“That,” replied Mr. Mirrikh, “would depend entirely upon how long you cared to remain in Mars; the passage through the realm of spirit cannot be measured by time; it would be no longer than a thought.”
“Oh! We go by way of the spirit world, do we?” Well, my friend, I want you to understand that I, as a clergyman, with every opportunity to inform myself, utterly deny the existence of the so-called soul of man after death.”
It was amusing to see Philpot draw himself up as he made this statement, but it was a positive study to see the expression of pity which came over the face of my singular friend.
“For me to hear you deny the existence of a spiritual world, is precisely as it would be for you to hear me deny the existence of that little island called Great Britain, on the ground that I had never seen it.”
“Prove it! Prove your spirit world!” cried the Doctor, excitedly. “I can argue all night on that point, and”
“And you will have to argue with some one else then, for I have said my last word. Mr. De Veber, how is it with you?” Will you return with me to Mars?”
Was Maurice hypnotized?
I have often thought so, for he turned a face toward us so altered in its appearance, so radiant with enthusiasm, that I should scarcely have known it as his.
