issociation of spirit from body. Not only are the spirits of these
holy men standing at the present moment by the banks of the Ganges, but
those spirits are clothed in a material covering so identical with their
real bodies that none of the faithful will ever doubt that Lal Hoomi and
Mowdar Khan are actually among them. This is accomplished by our power
of resolving an object into its 'chemical atoms, of conveying these
atoms with a speed which exceeds that of lightning to any given spot,
and of there re-precipitating them and compelling them to retake their
original form. Of old, in the days of our ignorance, it was necessary to
convey the whole body in this way, but we have since found that it was
as easy and more convenient to transmit material enough merely to build
up an outside shell or semblance. This we have termed the astral body."

"But if you can transmit your spirits so readily," I observed, "why
should they be accompanied by any body at all?"

"In communicating with brother initiates we are able to employ our
spirits only, but when we wish to come in contact with ordinary mankind
it is essential that we should appear in some form which they can see
and comprehend."

"You have interested me deeply in all that you have told me," I said,
grasping the hand which Ram Singh had held out to me as a sign that
our interview was at an end. "I shall often think of our short
acquaintance."

"You will derive much benefit from it," he said slowly, still holding my
hand and looking gravely and sadly into my eyes. "You must remember that
what will happen in the future is not necessarily bad because it does
not fall in with your preconceived ideas of right. Be not hasty in your
judgments. There are certain great rules which must be carried out, at
whatever cost to individuals. Their operation may appear to you to be
harsh and cruel, but that is as nothing compared with the dangerous
precedent which would be established by not enforcing them. The ox and
the sheep are safe from us, but the man with the blood of the highest
upon his hands should not and shall not live."

He threw up his arms at the last words with a fierce, threatening
gesture, and, turning away from me, strode back to the ruined hut.

I stood gazing after him until he disappeared through the doorway, and
then started off for home, revolving in my mind all that I had heard,
and more particularly this last outburst of the occult philosopher.

Far on the