elephone--you can't talk over it unless the
connections are right, can you? Take a telescope or a microscope--you
can see nothing through them unless the instruments are in focus, can
you? Take an automobile--it will not move an inch unless all the parts
are properly adjusted, will it? You may have the finest photographic
camera in the world, yet you will get no picture unless you expose the
sensitive plate in just the right way--isn't that true? Suppose a savage
refused to believe in photography, or in the telephone, or the
telescope, or in any of our great inventions, unless they would operate
according to the fancy of his ignorant mind, regardless of scientific
laws? What results would he get? The very same kind that we get in the
psychic world if we refuse to obey psychic laws."

The fair patient moved wearily on her pillow with signs of increasing
discouragement.

"I have not refused to obey psychic laws, I don't know what the laws
are. How can I believe in something that is entirely unknown to me? I
can't do it, I can't do it."

"But, Mrs. Wells, when so much is at stake, when everything is at stake,
can't you take an open-minded attitude toward these mysteries? Why not
submit to the indicated conditions and see what happens? If there is
only one chance in a hundred that your mother can really come to you and
help you, why not take that chance? You believe that your mother is an
exalted spirit, don't you?"

"Oh, yes. I am sure she is."

"You don't doubt that she would be glad to help you in your present
trouble, if she could, do you?"

"No, of course not, but what can I do? I say my prayers, I try to have
good thoughts--what else can I do?"

The spiritual healer answered with sudden impressiveness.

"Penelope, you must cleanse your soul of evil. There is something you
are keeping back--perhaps you do not know what it is yourself. I can
only tell you to think, to look into the past, to search into your
soul--just as if you were coming before a great, wise, loving Judge who
cannot be deceived. He wants you to confess something--I don't know what
it is, you must find that out for yourself--but when you have confessed,
I _know_ that help will come to you through your mother. Now close your
eyes. Don't speak. Think! Think of your mother."

He laid his hands gently on her forehead and for some minutes there was
silence.

"Now I shall leave you alone. In an hour I will send Seraphine to you."

Then he left