which only opens to crime and evil purpose, we step outside. I am
unskilful; I do not express myself well."

"Very well, young lady," the Professor condescended. "Unfortunately,
your theories are wild mysticism. The veritable fiend that has plagued
the house of Michell is the mischievous habit of rearing each generation
from childhood to a belief in doom and witchcraft. A child will believe
anything it is told. Why not, when all things are still equally
wonderful to it? Let me point out that your theory also contradicts
itself, since Roger certainly did not enter upon any path of crime, yet
he met your unearthly monster."

"Because he chose to link his fate with mine, who am linked by heredity
with the Dweller at the Frontier," she said earnestly. "He was in the
position of one who enters the lair of a wild beast to bring out a
victim who is trapped there. It may cost that rescuer his life. Roger
nearly paid his life. But he mastered It and took me away from It,
because he was not afraid and not seeking his own good. I never imagined
anyone so brave and strong and unselfish as Roger. I suppose it is
because he thinks of others instead of himself, which gives the
strongest kind of strength."

"The Thing nearly had me, though," I hastily intervened to spare my own
modesty. "And It did have me worse than afraid!"

"I seem to be arguing against an impenetrable obstinacy," snapped the
Professor. "Do you, Roger, who were educated under my own eye, in my
house, have the effrontery to tell me that you believe Miss Michell is
descended from the union of an evil spirit and a human being; as the
Eastern legends claim for Saladin the Great?"

"Your own theory, sir, being----?" I evaded.

"There is no theory about the matter," he declared. "Excuse me, Miss
Michell! The child was undoubtedly Sir Austin's son. Which accounts for
the madness of the first Desire Michell."

We were all silent for a while. Whatever thoughts each held remained
unvoiced.

"Come, Phillida, you take my sane point of view, I hope?" the Professor
finally challenged his daughter, with a glance of scorn and compassion
at the rest of our group. "You observe that I have explained every point
raised, Miss Michell's testimony being of the vaguest?"

"Yes, Papa," Phillida agreed hesitatingly. "I do believe you have solved
the whole problem. Only, if Cousin Roger was suffering from marsh-gas
poisoning last night when he seemed to be dying, I do not quite se