Leroy told Dr. Owen about the second
communication in automatic writing which he had withheld from Captain
Herrick.

"This is undoubtedly from the evil spirit," he said, and he read it
aloud:

"_I was one of many loosed upon earth when the war began. I rode
screaming upon clouds of poison gas. I danced over red battlefields. I
entered one of the Gray ones, an officer, and revelled with him in
ravished villages. Then I saw Penelope going about on errands of mercy,
I saw her beautiful body and the little spots on her soul that she did
not know about, and when her nerves were shattered, I entered into her.
Now she is mine. I defy YOU to drive me out. Already her star burns
scarlet through a mist of evil memories. I see it now as she sleeps! I
shall come back tonight and make her dream._"

"You see what we have against us," Leroy said, and his face was sad, yet
fixed with a stern purpose.

And now the old materialist asked anxiously, not scoffingly: "Doctor, do
you really believe that this spirit can drag Mrs. Wells down?"

"That depends upon herself. Mrs. Wells knows what she must do. I have
told her. If she does this, she will be safe. If not--"

His eyes were inexpressibly tragic, and at this moment the neighboring
chimes resounded musically through the quiet sanitarium--_a quarter to
twelve!_

CHAPTER XVII

THE HOUR OF THE DREAM

When Seraphine led Captain Herrick into the bedroom where Penelope lay
propped up against pillows, her dark hair in braids and a Chinese
embroidered scarf brightening her white garment, it seemed to
Christopher that his beloved had never been so adorably beautiful.

Gallantly and tenderly he kissed the slim white hand that his lady
extended with a brave but pathetic smile.

Seraphine withdrew discreetly.

The lovers were alone.

It was an oppressive night, almost like summer, and Penelope, concerned
for her sweetheart's comfort, insisted that he take off his heavy coat,
and draw up an easy chair by her bedside.

They tried to talk of pleasant things--the lovely flowers he had sent
her--how well she was looking--but it was no use. The weight of the
approaching crisis was upon both of them.

"Oh, Chris, how we go on pretending--up to the very last!" she lifted
her eyes appealingly. "We know what has happened--what may happen,
but--" she drew in her breath sharply and a little shiver ran through
her. "I--I'm afraid."

He took her hand strongly in his and with all a l