Besides, it was surely doubtful, was it not, whether the rapping, if
it had really taken place, might not be the normal cracks and sounds
of woodwork, intensified in the attention of the listeners? or if it
was more than this, was there any proof that it might not be produced
in some way by the intense will-power of some living person present?
This was surely conceivable--more conceivable, that is, than any other
hypothesis.... Besides, what had it all got to do with Amy?

Within a week of his original experience, skepticism was dominant.
These lines of thought did their work by incessant repetition. The
normal life he lived, the large, businesslike face of the lawyer whom
he faced day by day, a theatre or two, a couple of dinners--even the
noise of London streets and the appearance of workaday persons--all
these gradually reassured him.

When therefore he received a nervous little note from Lady Laura,
reminding him of the _seance_ to be held in Baker Street, and begging
his attendance, he wrote a most proper letter back again, thanking her
for her kindness, but saying that he had come to the conclusion that
this kind of thing was not good for him or his work, and begging her
to make his excuses to Mr. Vincent.

A week or two passed, and nothing whatever happened. Then he heard
again from Lady Laura, and again he answered by a polite refusal,
adding a little more as to his own state of mind; and again silence
fell.

Then at last Mr. Vincent called on him in person one evening after
dinner.

* * * * *

Laurie's rooms were in Mitre Court, very convenient to the Temple--two
rooms opening into one another, and communicating with the staircase.

He had played a little on his grand piano, that occupied a third of
his sitting-room, and had then dropped off to sleep before his fire.
He awakened suddenly to see the big man standing almost over him, and
sat up confusedly.

"I beg your pardon, Mr. Baxter; the porter's boy told me to come
straight up. I found your outer door open."

Laurie hastened to welcome him, to set him down in a deep chair, to
offer whisky and to supply tobacco. There was something about this man
that commanded deference.

"You know why I have come, I expect," said the medium, smiling.

Laurie smiled back, a little nervously.

"I have come to see whether you will not reconsider your decision."

The boy shook his head.

"I think not," he said.

"You found no