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diff --git a/8182-h/8182-h.htm b/8182-h/8182-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..50be2da --- /dev/null +++ b/8182-h/8182-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,5284 @@ +<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?> + +<!DOCTYPE html + PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd" > + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" lang="en"> + <head> + <title> + The Ghost of Guir House, by Charles Willing Beale + </title> + <style type="text/css" xml:space="preserve"> + + body { margin:5%; background:#faebd0; text-align:justify} + P { text-indent: 1em; margin-top: .25em; margin-bottom: .25em; } + H1,H2,H3,H4,H5,H6 { text-align: center; margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%; } + hr { width: 50%; text-align: center;} + .foot { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; text-indent: -3em; font-size: 90%; } + blockquote {font-size: 97%; font-style: italic; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%;} + .mynote {background-color: #DDE; color: #000; padding: .5em; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 95%;} + .toc { margin-left: 10%; margin-bottom: .75em;} + .toc2 { margin-left: 20%;} + div.fig { display:block; margin:0 auto; text-align:center; } + div.middle { margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%; text-align: justify; } + .figleft {float: left; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 1%;} + .figright {float: right; margin-right: 0%; margin-left: 1%;} + .pagenum {display:inline; font-size: 70%; font-style:normal; + margin: 0; padding: 0; position: absolute; right: 1%; + text-align: right;} + .side { float: right; font-size: 75%; width: 25%; padding-left: 0.8em; + border-left: dashed thin; margin-left: 0.8em; text-align: left; + text-indent: 0; font-weight: bold; font-style: italic; + font-weight: bold; color: black; background: #eeeeee; border: solid 1px;} + pre { font-style: italic; font-size: 90%; margin-left: 10%;} + +</style> + </head> + <body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's The Ghost of Guir House, by Charles Willing Beale + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: The Ghost of Guir House + +Author: Charles Willing Beale + + +Release Date: May, 2005 [EBook #8182] +This file was first posted on June 27, 2003 +Last Updated: March 15, 2018 + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST OF GUIR HOUSE *** + + + + +Produced by John Hagerson, Suzanne L. Shell, Charles Franks +and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team; the HTML file +provided by David Widger. + + + + + + +</pre> + + <div style="height: 8em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h1> + THE GHOST OF GUIR HOUSE + </h1> + <h2> + By Charles Willing Beale + </h2> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h3> + 1897 + </h3> + <p> + <br /> + </p> + <h6> + {Illustration: Guir House}(not available in this edition) + </h6> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <p> + <b>CONTENTS</b> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0001"> 1 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0002"> 2 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0003"> 3 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0004"> 4 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0005"> 5 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0006"> 6 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0007"> 7 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0008"> 8 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0009"> 9 </a> + </p> + <p class="toc"> + <a href="#link2H_4_0010"> 10 </a> + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0001" id="link2H_4_0001"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 1 + </h2> + <p> + When Mr. Henley reached his dingy little house in Twentieth Street, a + servant met him at the door with a letter, saying: + </p> + <p> + “The postman has just left it, sir, and hopes it is right, as it has given + him a lot of trouble.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Henley examined the letter with curiosity. There were several erased + addresses. The original was: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “<i>Mr. P. Henley, New York City</i>.” + </pre> + <p> + Scarcely legible, in the lower left-hand corner, was: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “<i>Dead. Try Paul, No. —, W. 20th</i>.” + </pre> + <p> + Being unfamiliar with the handwriting, Mr. Henley carried the letter to + his room. It was nearly dark, and he lighted the gas, exchanged the coat + he had been wearing for a gaudy smoking jacket, glancing momentarily at + the mirror, at a young and gentlemanly face with good features; complexion + rather florid; hair and moustache neither fair nor dark, with reddish + lights. + </p> + <p> + Seating himself upon a table directly under the gas, he proceeded with the + letter. Evidently the document was not intended for him, but it proved + sufficiently interesting to hold his attention. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + GUIR HOUSE, 16TH SEPT., 1893. + + MY DEAR MR. HENLEY: + + Although we have never met, I feel sure that you are the man for + whom I am looking, which conclusion has been reached after + carefully considering your letters. Why have I taken so long to + decide? Perhaps I can answer that better when we meet. Do not + forget that the name of our station is the same as that of the + house—Guir. Take the evening train from New York, and you will be + with us in old Virginia next day, not twenty-four hours. I shall + meet you at the station, where I shall go every day for a month, or + until you come. You will know me because—well, because I shall + probably be the only girl there, and because I drive a piebald + horse in a cart with red wheels—but how shall I know you? Suppose + you carry a red handkerchief in your hand as you step upon the + platform. Yes, that will do famously. I shall look for the red silk + handkerchief, while you look for the cart with gory wheels and a + calico horse. What a clever idea! But how absurd to take + precautions in such a desolate country as this. I shall know you as + the only man stopping at Guir's, and you will know me as the only + woman in sight. + + Of course you will be our guest until you have proved all things to + your satisfaction, and don't forget that I shall be looking for you + each day until I see you. Meanwhile believe me + + Sincerely yours, + + DOROTHY GUIR. +</pre> + <p> + “Devilish strange letter!” said Henley, turning the sheet over in an + effort to identify the writer. But it was useless. Dorothy Guir was as + complete a myth as the individual for whom her letter was intended. Oddly + enough, the man's last name, as well as the initial of his first, were the + same as his own; but whether the P. stood for Peter, Paul, or Philip, Mr. + Henley knew not, the only evident fact being that the letter was <i>not</i> + intended for himself. + </p> + <p> + Reading the mysterious communication once more, the young man smiled. Who + was Dorothy Guir? Of course she was Dorothy Guir, but what was she like? + At one moment he pictured her as a charming girl, where curls, giggles, + and blushes were strangely intermingled with moonlight walks, rope + ladders, and elopements. At the next, as some monstrous female agitator; a + leader of Anarchists and Nihilistic organizations, loaded with + insurrectionary documents for the destruction of society. But the author + was inclined to playfulness; incompatible with such a character. He + preferred the former picture, and throwing back his head while watching + the smoke from his cigarette curl upward toward the ceiling, Mr. Paul + Henley suddenly became convulsed with laughter. He had conceived the idea + of impersonating the original Henley, the man for whom the letter had been + written. The more he considered the scheme, the more fascinating it + became. The girl, if girl she were, confessed to never having met the man; + she would therefore be the more easily deceived. But she was expecting him + daily, and should not be disappointed. Love of adventure invested the + project with an irresistible charm, and Mr. Henley determined to undertake + the journey and play the part for all he was worth. It is true that + visions of embarrassing complications occasionally presented themselves, + but were dismissed as trifles unworthy of consideration. + </p> + <p> + It was still early in October, while Miss Guir's communication had been + dated nearly three weeks before. Had she kept her word? Had she driven to + the station every day during those weeks? Mr. Henley jumped down from the + table, exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Miss Dorothy, I will be with you at once, or as soon as the southern + express can carry me.” A moment later he added: “But I shall glance out of + the car window first, and if I don't like your looks, or if you are not on + hand, why in that event I shall simply continue my journey. See?” + </p> + <p> + But another question presented itself. Where was Guir Station? The lady + had mentioned neither county nor county town, evidently taking it for + granted that the right Henley knew all about it, which he doubtless did; + but, since he was dead, it was awkward to consult him, especially about a + matter which was manifestly a private affair of his own. But where was + Guir? In all the vast State of Virginia, how was he to discover an + insignificant station, doubtless unknown to New York ticket agents, and + perhaps not even familiar to those living within twenty miles of it? Paul + opened the atlas at the “Old Dominion,” and threw it down again in + disgust. “A map of the infernal regions would be as useful,” he declared. + However important Guir might be to the Guirs, it was clearly of no + importance to the world. But the following day the Postal Guide revealed + the secret, and the railway officials confirmed and located it. Guir was + situated in a remote part of the State, upon an obscure road, far removed + from any of the trunk lines. Mr. Henley purchased his ticket, resolved to + take the first train for this <i>terra incognita</i> of Virginia. + </p> + <p> + The train drew up at the station. Yes, there was the piebald horse, and + there was the cart with the gory wheels, and there—yes, certainly, + there was Dorothy, a slender, nervous-looking girl of twenty, standing at + the horse's head! Be she what she might, politically, socially, or + morally, Mr. Henley decided at the first glance that she would do. With a + flourish of his crimson handkerchief he stepped out upon the platform. + “Rash man! You have put your foot in it,” he soliloquized, “and you may + never, <i>never</i> be able to take it out again.” But he could as soon + have passed the open doors of Paradise unheeded as Dorothy Guir at that + moment. + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Henley! So glad!” said the girl in recognition of the young man's + hesitating and somewhat prolonged bow. “He's a little afraid of the + engine,” she continued, alluding now to the horse, “so if you will jump in + and take the reins while I hold his head—” + </p> + <p> + Paul tossed in his bag and satchels, and then jumping in himself gathered + up the reins, while the girl stood at the animal's head. + </p> + <p> + Although Mr. Henley had hoped to find an attractive young woman awaiting + him at the station, he was surprised to discover that his most sanguine + expectations were exceeded. Here was no blue-stocking, or agitator, or + superannuated spinster, but a graceful young woman, rather tall and + slight, with blue eyes, set with dark lashes that intensified their color. + Her complexion, although slightly freckled, charmed by its wholesomeness; + and her hair, which shone both dark and red, according as the light fell + upon it, seemed almost too heavy for the delicate head and neck that + supported it. Although not strictly beautiful, she had one of those + intelligent and responsive faces that are often more attractive than mere + perfection of feature and form. + </p> + <p> + “It does seem funny that you are here at last!” she said, when seated + beside him with the reins in her hand. + </p> + <p> + “It does indeed!” answered Paul, with a suspicion that he was a villain + and ought to be kicked. For a moment he scowled and bit his mustache, + hesitating whether to make a clean breast of the deception or continue in + the role he had assumed. Alas, it was no longer of his choosing. He had + commenced with a lie, which he now found it impossible to repudiate. No, + he could not insult this girl by telling her the truth. That surely was + out of the question. + </p> + <p> + Miss Guir touched the horse with the whip, and the station was soon out of + sight. They ascended a long hill with gullies, bordered by worm fences and + half-cultivated fields. Such improvements as there were appeared in a + state of decay, and, so far as Henley could see, the country was + uninhabited. Presently the road entered a wood and became carpeted with + pine tags, over which they trotted noiselessly. Where were they going? + Dorothy had not spoken since starting, and Paul was too much disconcerted + to continue the conversation. He hoped she would speak first, and yet + dreaded anything which it seemed at all probable she would say. The + novelty was intense, but the agony was growing. At last, without looking + at him, she said: + </p> + <p> + “You haven't told me why you never answered my last letter. You know we + have been expecting you for ages.” + </p> + <p> + Paul coughed, hesitated, and then resolved to tell a part of the truth, + which is often more misleading than the blackest lie. + </p> + <p> + “I—I did not get it,” he answered, “until a day or two ago.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Dorothy looked surprised. + </p> + <p> + “Strange!” she said; “but, after all, I had my misgivings, for I never + could believe that a letter like that would reach its destination. But you + know you told me—” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know I did,” interrupted Paul. “You were perfectly right. You see + I got it at last, and 'all's well that ends well!'” + </p> + <p> + “Not necessarily; because if you are as careless about other matters as + this, why—I may have—that is, <i>we</i> may have to part + before really knowing each other, and do you know, <i>I</i> should be + awfully sorry for that.” + </p> + <p> + Although she laughed a quick, nervous laugh, the words were uttered as if + really meant. Paul suffered, and tried to think of something non-committal—something + which, while not exposing his ignorance of the real Henley's business, + might induce the girl to explain the situation; but no leading question + presented itself. He thought he could be happy if he could but divert the + conversation from its present awkward drift. + </p> + <p> + There was a quaintness about the young lady's costume that reminded Henley + of an old portrait. Evidently her attire had been modeled after that of + some remote ancestor, but it was picturesque and singularly becoming, and + Paul found it difficult to avoid staring in open admiration. Inwardly he + concluded that she was a “stunner,” but in no ordinary sense; and despite + the novel and somewhat embarrassing situation, he was conscious of a + fascination not clearly accounted for. Thoughts of the defunct Henley, + with his store of inaccessible knowledge, were discouraging; but then the + memory of the girl's smiles was reassuring; and, come what might, Paul + determined to represent his namesake as creditably as possible. + </p> + <p> + The loneliness of the country road begot a spirit of confidence, so that + Miss Guir soon appeared in the light of an old friend, to deceive whom was + sacrilege. Mr. Henley realized the enormity of his conduct each time he + glanced at her pretty face, but had not the courage to undeceive her. And + why should he? Was not Dorothy happy? “Would it be right,” he argued, “to + upset the girl's tranquillity for a whim, for a scruple of his own, which + had come too late, and which, for his as well as the girl's peace of mind, + had better not have come at all? No, he would continue as he had begun. + Doubtless he would be discovered ere long, but would not anticipate the + event.” + </p> + <p> + The forest was beginning to take on its autumnal tints, but Mr. Henley's + conscience barred his thorough enjoyment of the scene. They followed the + bank of a brook where wild ivy and rhododendrons clustered. They climbed + steep places and descended others, and crossed a little river, where rocks + and a rushing torrent made the ford seem dangerous. It was lonely, but + exquisitely beautiful, and the mountain ridges closed about them on every + hand. + </p> + <p> + The twilight was rapidly giving way to the soft illumination of a full + moon; and it was not until Paul noticed this, that he began to ask + himself, “Where are we going?” He could not put the question to the girl, + and expose his ignorance of a matter which he might reasonably be supposed + to know. + </p> + <p> + After a prolonged silence, Henley ventured to observe that he had never + been in the State of Virginia before, hoping that the remark might lead to + some information from his driver; but she only looked at him with a + wondering expression, and after a minute, with eyebrows lifted, said: + </p> + <p> + “And I have never been out of it.” + </p> + <p> + Paul would have liked to pursue the conversation, but did not know how to + do it. So far from gaining any information, he felt that he was sinking + deeper in the mire. “After all,” he reflected, “there are worse things in + life than being run away with by a pretty girl, even if one doesn't happen + to know exactly where she is taking him, and even if she doesn't happen to + know exactly whom she is taking.” He stretched out his feet and leaned + back, resigned to his fate. + </p> + <p> + Not a house had been passed in more than a mile. The road was deserted, + and Paul's interest in future developments steadily growing. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly there was a terrible crash, and Mr. Henley's side of the cart + collapsed. Dorothy drew up the horse and exclaimed: + </p> + <p> + “There! It is the spring. I was afraid it would break!” + </p> + <p> + “Too much weight on my side, Miss Guir,” said Paul, jumping to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “It is not that; it was weak; and I should have remembered to place your + luggage on my side. It is too unfortunate.” + </p> + <p> + “What are we to do?” inquired Henley. + </p> + <p> + “It is difficult to say. We are miles from home, and the road is rough.” + </p> + <p> + She was examining the broken spring by the uncertain light, and seemed + perplexed. + </p> + <p> + “Can I not lead the horse while we walk?” suggested Paul. + </p> + <p> + “We could, but the break is too bad. I fear the body of the cart will fall + from the axle. But stop; there is one thing I can do. There is a smith + about half a mile from here, upon another road, which leaves this about a + hundred yards ahead. I will drive on alone to the shop, and, although it + is late, I feel sure the man will do the work for me. You, Mr. Henley, + will wait here for the stage, which will be due directly. Tell the driver + to put you off at the Guir Road, where you can wait until I come along to + pick you up. The distance is not great, and I will follow as quickly as + possible.” + </p> + <p> + She was off before he had time to answer, leaving him standing by the + roadside, waiting for the promised coach. It was not long before the + rumbling of a heavy vehicle was heard, and but a few minutes more when an + antiquated stage with four scrubby horses emerged from the shadow of a + giant oak into the open moonlight, scarce fifty yards away. Mr. Henley + hailed the driver, who stopped, and looked at him as if frightened. The + man was a Negro, and, when convinced that it was nothing more terrible + than a human being who had accosted him, smiled generously and invited him + to a seat on the box. + </p> + <p> + “I 'lowed yer was a <i>hant</i>” observed the man, by way of opening the + conversation, when Paul had handed up his bags and taken his place on top. + Henley lighted a cigar, and the cumbersome old vehicle moved slowly + forward. + </p> + <p> + Their way now lay through a beautiful valley, beside a picturesque stream, + tunneling its course through wild ivy and magnificent banks of calmia, and + under the wide spreading limbs of pines and hemlocks. The country appeared + to be a wilderness, and Paul could not help feeling that the real world of + flesh and ambition lay upon the other side of the ridge, now far behind. + The night was superb, but the road rough, so that the horses seldom went + out of a walk. Presently the driver drew up his animals for water, and + Henley took the opportunity to question him. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know these Guirs where I am going?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + The man paused in the act of dipping a pail of water, and seemed puzzled. + Thinking he had not understood, Paul repeated the question, when the man + dropped the bucket, and staring at him with a look of horror, said: + </p> + <p> + “Boss, is you uns in airnest?” + </p> + <p> + Henley laughed, and told him that he thought he was, adding that Miss Guir + was a friend of his. + </p> + <p> + “Now I knows you uns is jokin', 'case dey ain't got no friends in dis 'ere + country.” + </p> + <p> + “But I am a stranger!” argued Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Well, sah, it ain't for de likes o' me to argify wid you uns, but ef you + wants to know whar de house is, I kin show it to you; leastways I kin show + you de road to git dar.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it; but tell me, don't the people about here like the Guirs?” + </p> + <p> + “Boss, ef dey's frens o' yourn, I reckon you knows all about 'em; maybe + more'n I kin tell you, and I reckon it's saiftest for me to keep my mouf + shet tight!” + </p> + <p> + “Why so? Explain. Surely Miss Guir is a very charming young lady.” + </p> + <p> + “I reckon she be, boss; dough for my part I ain't nebber seed her. Folks + says as how it ain't good luck when she trabels on de road.” + </p> + <p> + “What do you mean? Are any of her people accused of crime?” + </p> + <p> + “Not as ever I heerd on, sir.” + </p> + <p> + “Then explain yourself. Speak!” + </p> + <p> + But not another word was to be gotten out of the man. He was like one + grown suddenly dumb, save for the power of an occasional shout to his + horses. A mile beyond this the driver drew up his team, and turning + abruptly, said: + </p> + <p> + “You see dat paf?” + </p> + <p> + After peering doubtfully through the moonlight into the black shadows + beyond, Paul thought he discerned the outline of a narrow wood road, and + placing a tip in the man's hand, picked up his satchel and climbed down to + the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Tank 'ee, sir, and de Lawd take keer o' you when you gets to de Guirs',” + called the driver, as he cracked his whip and drove away, leaving Mr. + Henley standing by the roadside listening to the retreating wheels of the + coach. The forest was dense, and the moonlight, struggling through the + tree-tops, fell upon the ground in patches, adding to the obscurity. + Henley seated himself upon a fallen tree, to await the arrival of the + cart. Although quite as courageous as the average of men, he could not + help a slight feeling of apprehension concerning the outcome of his + enterprise. Of course, he knew nothing about these people; but the girl + was prepossessing and refined to an unusual degree. It seemed impossible + that she could be acting as a decoy for unworthy ends. He laughed at the + thought, and at the fun he would some day have in recounting his fears to + her, and at her imaginary explanation of the driver's silly talk. At the + same time he examined his revolver, which he kept well concealed, despite + the law, in the depths of a convenient pocket. + </p> + <p> + When twenty minutes had passed, he began to grow impatient for the girl's + arrival, and, when half an hour was up, started down the road to meet her. + Scarcely had he done so when the sound of approaching wheels greeted his + ears, and directly after Miss Guir was in full view. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you have been successful,” Paul asked as she drew up beside him. + </p> + <p> + “Quite,” answered the girl; “indeed, they put in a new spring for me; and + we can now drive home without fear.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know, I have been half frightened,” said Paul, climbing into the + cart beside her. + </p> + <p> + “And about what, pray?” + </p> + <p> + “Absurd nonsense, of course; but the old man who drove the coach talked + the most idiotic stuff when I asked him about your people. Indeed, from + his manner, I believe he was afraid of you.” + </p> + <p> + Miss Guir did not laugh, nor seem in the least surprised. She only drew a + long breath and said: + </p> + <p> + “Very likely!” + </p> + <p> + “But why should he be?” persisted Henley. + </p> + <p> + “It does seem strange,” said the girl, pathetically, “but many people + are.” + </p> + <p> + “I am sure I should never be afraid of you,” added Paul, confidentially. + </p> + <p> + “I hope not; and am I anything like what you expected?” she asked with + languid interest. + </p> + <p> + “Well, hardly—at least, you are better than I expected—I mean + that you are better—looking, you know.” + </p> + <p> + He laughed, but the girl was silent. There was nothing trivial in her + manner, and she drove on for some minutes, devoting herself to the horse + and a careful scrutiny of the road, whose shadows, ruts, and stones + required constant attention. Presently, in an open space, bathed in a + flood of moonlight, she turned toward him and said: + </p> + <p> + “I can not reciprocate, Mr. Henley, by saying that you are better than I + expected, for I expected a great deal; I also expected to like you + immensely.” + </p> + <p> + “Which I hope you will promptly conclude to do,” Paul added, with a + twinkle in his eyes, which was lost on his companion, in her endeavor to + urge the horse into a trot. + </p> + <p> + “No,” she presently answered, “I can conclude nothing; for I like you + already, and quite as well as I anticipated.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm awfully glad,” said Henley, awkwardly, “and hope I'll answer the + purpose for which I was wanted.” + </p> + <p> + “To be sure you will. Do you think that I should be bringing you back with + me if I were not quite sure of it?” + </p> + <p> + He had hoped for a different answer—one which might throw some light + upon the situation—but the girl was again quiet and introspective, + without affording the slightest clew to her thoughts. How did it happen + that he had proved so entirely satisfactory? Perhaps, then, after all, the + original Henley was not so important a personage as he had imagined. But + Paul scarcely hoped that his identity would remain undiscovered after + arriving at the young lady's home; then, indeed, he might expect to be + thrown upon his mettle to make things satisfactory to the Guirs. + </p> + <p> + They had been jogging along for half a mile, when, turning suddenly + through an open gateway, they entered a private approach. Paul exclaimed + in admiration, for the road was tunneled through such a dense growth of + evergreens that the far-reaching limbs of the cedars and spruce pines + brushed the cart as they passed. + </p> + <p> + “Romantic!” Henley exclaimed, standing up in the vehicle to hold a branch + above the girl's head as she drove under it. The little horse tossed the + limbs right and left as he burrowed his way amongst them. + </p> + <p> + “Wait until you know us better,” said Dorothy, dodging a hemlock bough; + “you might even come to think that several other improvements could be + made beside the trimming out of this avenue; but Ah Ben would as soon cut + off his head as disturb a single twig.” + </p> + <p> + “Who?” inquired Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Ah Ben.” + </p> + <p> + Mr. Henley concluded not to push his investigations any further for the + present, taking refuge in the thought that all things come to him who + waits. He had no doubt that Ah Ben would come along with the rest. + </p> + <p> + A sudden turn, and an old house stood before them. It was built of black + stones, rough as when dug from the ground more than a century before. At + the farther end was a tower with an open belfry, choked in a tangle of + vines and bushes, within which the bell was dimly visible through a crust + of spiders' webs and birds' nests. Patches of moss and vegetable mold + relieved the blackness of the stones, and a venerable ivy plant clung like + a rotten fish-net to the wall. It was a weird, yet fascinating picture; + for the house, like a rocky cliff, looked as if it had grown where it + stood. Parts of the building were crumbling, and decay had laid its hand + more or less heavily upon the greater part of the structure. All this in + the mellow light of the moon, and under the peculiar circumstances, made a + scene which was deeply impressive. + </p> + <p> + “This is Guir House,” said Dorothy, drawing up before the door. “Now don't + tell me how you like it, because you don't know. You must wait until you + have seen it by daylight.” + </p> + <p> + She threw the reins to a stupid-looking servant, who took them as if not + quite knowing why he did so. She then made a signal to him with her hands, + and jumped lightly to the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Down, Beelzebub!” called Dorothy to a huge dog that had come out to meet + them, while the next instant she was engaged in exchanging signals with + the servant, who immediately led the horse away, followed by the dog. + </p> + <p> + “Why does the boy not speak?” inquired Paul, considerably puzzled by what + he had seen. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Because he is dumb</i>,” answered the girl, leading the way up to the + door. + </p> + <p> + Paul carried his luggage into the porch where he saw that Dorothy's eyes + were fixed upon him with that strange <i>quizzo-critical</i> gaze, with + lids half closed and head tilted, which he had observed once before, and + which he could not help thinking gave her a very aristocratic bearing. + </p> + <p> + “You should carry one of those long-handled lorgnettes,” he suggested, + “when you look that way.” + </p> + <p> + “And why?” she asked quite innocently. + </p> + <p> + “To look at me with,” answered Henley, hoping to induce a smile, or a more + cheery tone amid a gloom which was growing oppressive. But Miss Guir + simply led the way to the great hall door, which was built of heavy + timber, and studded with nail-heads without. As the cumbersome old portal + swung open, Paul could not help observing that it was at least two inches + thick, braced diagonally, and that the locks and hinges were unusually + crude and massive. He followed Miss Guir into the hall, with a slight + foreboding of evil which the memory of the stage driver's remark did not + help to dispel. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0002" id="link2H_4_0002"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 2 + </h2> + <p> + There are few men who would not have felt uncomfortable in the peculiar + situation in which Mr. Henley now found himself, although, perhaps, he was + as little affected as any one would have been under the circumstances. It + was impossible now to retreat from the part assumed, and he resolved to + carry it out to the best of his ability, never doubting for an instant + that the deception would be discovered sooner or later. + </p> + <p> + Following Miss Guir across the threshold of her mysterious home, Henley + entered a hall which was by far the most extraordinary he had ever beheld, + and he paused for a moment to take in the scene. The room was nearly + square, with a singular staircase ascending from the left. Upon the side + opposite the door was a huge chimney, where a fire of logs was burning in + an enormous rough stone fireplace, doubly cheering after their long drive + through the cool October evening. A brass lamp of antique design, with + perforated shade of the same material, was suspended from the ceiling, and + helped illumine this strange apartment. From each end of the mantelpiece + an immense high-backed sofa projected into the room, cushioned and padded, + and looking as if built into its present position with the house. The + walls were covered with odd portraits, whose frames were crumbling in + decay, and the window curtains adorned with fairy scenes and mythological + figures. The ceiling was crossed with heavy beams of oak, black with the + smoke of a century; and the stairway upon the left was also black, but + ornamented with a series of rough panels, upon each of which was painted a + human face, giving it a somewhat fantastic appearance. Paul could not help + glancing above, toward the mysterious regions with which this eccentric + stairway communicated. An antique sofa, studded with brass nails, + exhibited upon its towering back a picture of Tsong Kapa reclining under + the tree of a thousand images at the Llamasary of Koomboom. There were + scenes which were evidently intended to be historical, but there were + others which were wild and inexplicable. The quaintness of the room was + intensified by the flickering fire and the shafts of yellow light emitted + through the perforations of the lamp. + </p> + <p> + A faint aromatic odor hung upon the air, possibly due to a pile of balsam + logs in a corner near the chimney. Over all was the unmistakable evidence + of age, and of a nature at once barbaric, eccentric, and artistic. Who had + conceived and executed this extraordinary apartment? And what were the + people like who called the place their home? Paul stood aghast and + wondered as he inwardly propounded these questions. + </p> + <p> + The girl led the way to the fire, and, seating herself upon one of the + sofas described, invited Paul to the opposite place. His bewilderment was + intense, and with a lingering gaze at the oddities surrounding him, he + accepted the invitation. Not another soul had been seen since he entered. + Did the girl live alone? It seemed incredible; and yet where were her + people? + </p> + <p> + Dorothy pulled off her gloves and warmed her fingers before the cheerful + blaze, and then stood eying with evident satisfaction the costly gems with + which they were loaded. The light seemed to shine directly through her + delicate palms, and to fall upon her face and hair and quaint + old-fashioned costume with singular effect. There was something so bizarre + and yet so spirituelle in her appearance that Henley could not help + observing in what perfect harmony she seemed with her environment. It was + some minutes before either of them spoke—Paul loth to express his + surprise for fear of betraying a lack of knowledge he might possibly be + expected to possess, while Dorothy, in an apparent fit of abstraction, had + evidently forgotten her guest and all else, save the cheerful fire before + her. Presently she withdrew her eyes from their fixed stare at the flames, + and, looking at Paul, said: + </p> + <p> + “You must be hungry.” + </p> + <p> + There was something so incongruous with his surroundings and recent train + of thought in the girl's sudden remark that Henley could not help + laughing. + </p> + <p> + “One would scarcely expect to eat in such a remarkable home as yours, Miss + Guir,” he replied, looking into her earnest eyes, and wondering if she + ordinarily dined alone. + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless, we will in an hour,” she answered, “and I shall expect you + to have an excellent appetite after our long drive.” + </p> + <p> + Paul wanted to ask about the members of her family, but thought it wisest + to say nothing for the present. Surely they would appear in due season, + for it was impossible the girl could live alone in so large a house, and + without natural protection; and so he simply made a further allusion to + the apparent age and great picturesqueness of the building. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Dorothy, again gazing into the fire, “it is old—considerably + more than a hundred years. It was built in the Colonial days, when things + were rougher and good work more difficult to obtain.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely these portraits and historical scenes were the work of an + artist,” Henley ventured to observe, looking at a strange head of Medusa. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” she answered, “the one you are looking at was done by Ah Ben.” + </p> + <p> + He had been led to believe that Ah Ben was a living member of the + household, who would shortly appear, but this now seemed impossible, for + these extraordinary pictures were as old as the house itself. What did the + girl mean? Had this Ah Ben done them all? Should he ask her and expose his + ignorance? Paul thought he would venture upon a compromise. + </p> + <p> + “And are these pictures as old as they appear?” + </p> + <p> + “Quite,” answered the girl. “As you can see for yourself, the house and + all that is in it date from quite a remote time, and many of the portraits + were painted before the house was ever begun.” + </p> + <p> + That seemed to settle the question. Ah Ben was evidently a deceased + ancestor; possibly a friend of the family in the distant past, and Henley + concluded that he had misunderstood the girl in her former allusion to the + man. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy had not taken off her hat, nor did she seem to have the slightest + intention of doing so; meanwhile Paul's appetite, which had been + temporarily lulled by his novel surroundings, was beginning to assert + itself, and as there was no prospect of an attendant to conduct him to his + room, he was about to ask where he might find a bowl of water to relieve + himself of some of the stains of travel. Before he had finished the + sentence, however, his attention was arrested by the sound of a distant + footstep. He listened; it came nearer, and in a minute was descending the + black staircase in the corner. Paul watched, and saw the figure of an old + man as it turned an angle in the stairs. Then it stopped, and coughed + lightly as if to announce its approach. + </p> + <p> + “Come,” cried Dorothy, “it's only Mr. Henley, and I'm sure he'll be glad + to see you.” + </p> + <p> + The figure advanced, and when it had descended far enough to be in range + with the fire and lamplight, Paul saw a most extraordinary person. The + man, although very old, was tall and dignified in appearance, with + deep-set, mysterious eyes, and flowing white moustache and hair. The top + of his head was lightly bound in a turban of some flimsy material, and a + loose robe of crimson silk hung from his shoulders, gathered together with + a cord about the waist. As he advanced Henley observed that the bones of + his cheeks were high and prominent, and the eyes buried so deep beneath + their projecting brows and skull, that he was at a loss to account for the + strange sense of power which he felt to be lodged in so small a space. + </p> + <p> + “This is Ah Ben, Mr. Henley, of whom I have spoken,” said Dorothy, rising. + </p> + <p> + The old man extended his hand and bowed most courteously. He hoped that + they had had a pleasant drive from the station, and then took his seat + beside the fire. + </p> + <p> + Paul was dumfounded. Probably he was expected to know all about the man, + and he had only just decided that he had been dead for a century. How + could he so have misinterpreted what he had heard? + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben stretched his long bony fingers to the fire, and observed that the + nights were beginning to grow quite cold. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Henley, “I had hardly expected to find the season so far + advanced in your Southern home.” + </p> + <p> + “Our altitude more than amends for our latitude,” answered the old man; + and then, taking a pair of massive tongs from the corner of the mantel, he + stirred the balsam logs into a fierce blaze, starting a myriad of sparks + in their flight up the chimney. Dorothy was looking above, and Paul, + following the direction of her eyes, observed a model of Father Time + reclining upon a shelf near the ceiling. The figure's scythe was broken; + his limbs were in shackles, and his body covered with chains. It was an + original conception, and Henley could not help asking if Time had really + been checked in his onward march at Guir House. + </p> + <p> + “Ah!” said Dorothy, “that is a symbol of a great truth; but I am not + surprised at your asking;” then, turning to the old man, added: “Mr. + Henley has not yet been shown to his room, and I am sure he would like to + see it. It is the west chamber.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” said Ah Ben, rising and taking a candle from the mantel, which he + lighted with a firebrand; “if Mr. Henley will follow me, I shall take + pleasure in pointing it out to him.” + </p> + <p> + Paul followed the elder man up the black stairs, through devious passages, + and past doors with pictured panels, until he began to wonder if he could + ever find his way back again. At last they stopped before a rough door, + hung with massive hinges stretching half way across it, discolored with + rust, and looking as if they had not been moved in an age, and which + creaked dismally as Ah Ben entered. + </p> + <p> + “This will be your room,” he said, bowing courteously, and placing the + candle upon the table near the chimney. He then reminded Henley that their + evening meal would soon be ready. “If there is anything further which you + will need, pray let me know,” he added, and then retired. + </p> + <p> + “I should like my luggage,” said Paul, having left it below, with the + exception of a small satchel. + </p> + <p> + “It shall be sent to you at once,” the old man answered, as he walked + slowly away. + </p> + <p> + Left to himself, Henley looked around with curiosity. Every comfort had + been provided, even to an arm-chair and writing-table by the fire; but the + room, as well as its furnishing, was old and quaint, and rapidly going to + decay. Everything he saw related to a past period of existence. The window + was high, and deep set in the wall. There was a bench under it, upon which + one was obliged to climb to obtain a view of the country, and Henley + pulled himself up into the sill to look out. + </p> + <p> + The landscape presented an unbroken panorama of forest. No farming land + was visible, and the distant mountains closed in the sky-line, and all + bathed in the soft light of the moon, made a picture of extreme beauty and + loneliness—a solid wilderness, shut in from the busy world without. + There was a musty smell, as if the room had not been used in years, and he + lifted the sash. The rich perfume of fir and balsam was wafted in, + displacing the disagreeable odor. + </p> + <p> + The bed was a high four-poster, and there were steps for climbing into it. + On examination, it was discovered to be built into the room with heavy + timbers, and framed solidly with the house itself. A few faded rugs were + scattered about the worm-eaten floor, and in every direction the wood-work + was rough and unpainted, though massive enough for a fortress. Above the + wash-stand was a strange picture, painted upon a fragment of coarse + blanket, which had been stretched upon the wall. It depicted the setting + sun, with red and gold rays, and a blue mountain in the distance. Around + the entire scene, in a semicircle, was the word “Illusion,” singularly + wrought into the shafts of light, and undecipherable without the closest + scrutiny. The figure of an old man in the foreground was contemplating the + scene. It was a crude piece of work, but impressive. There was a large + mahogany cabinet, mounted with brass; but its double doors were locked and + its drawers immovable. Beside the bed was a worm-eaten door, and in idle + curiosity Paul tried the handle. It opened easily, revealing a spacious + closet, with hooks and shelves. Throwing the small satchel he had brought + up with him upon the floor within, it struck something, but the closet was + too dark for him to see what; so, taking the candle, he made an + examination. In the farthest corner was a hand-rail, guarding a closed + scuttle, in which was inserted a heavy iron ring. Henley took hold of the + ring, and with some effort succeeded in opening the scuttle. Looking down, + he found to his surprise that it communicated with a rough stairway + leading below. He peered into the darkness, but could discern nothing save + the steps, which seemed to go all the way to the cellar, and were just + wide enough to admit of a human body. He then removed his belongings back + into the room, shut down the scuttle, and closed the door. As there was no + fastening, he wedged a chair between the knob and the floor, in such a + manner that it could not be opened from within. He then threw himself upon + the bed, wondering what would be the outcome of his unlawful enterprise, + and while inhaling the tonic air of hill and forest, half wished he were + well away from this uncanny house and its eccentric inmates. And yet, + despite the mystery which enshrouded it, there was a charm, a fascination, + he could not deny. It was the dream-like unreality of his surroundings—unreal, + because different from all that he had ever known. Should he suddenly find + himself a dozen miles removed, he felt certain that he would straightway + return. + </p> + <p> + The musty smell had disappeared, and as the room was getting cold, Paul + got up and closed the window. At the moment he had done so, there was a + low knock at the door. He replied by a summons to enter, but there was no + answer. The knock was repeated, and again Paul shouted, “Come in”; but, as + before, there was no response. He now went to the door and opened it, and + found a servant standing outside with his luggage. + </p> + <p> + “Why did you not come in?” Paul inquired. + </p> + <p> + But the man did not answer; he simply entered and placed the bags upon the + floor. Henley now asked him another question, but the fellow did not even + look at him, and left the room without saying a word. Suddenly Paul + remembered that he had seen him before. It was the dumb man who had met + them on their arrival. It was the only servant he had seen. Could it be + possible that these people kept no other? + </p> + <p> + When Henley had completed his toilet, he blew out the candle and then + groped his way down to the hall, where he found Miss Guir and Ah Ben + awaiting him. The girl came forward to greet her guest, and to reveal her + presence, the fire having died away and the hanging lamp affording but a + dull, copperish glow, barely sufficient to indicate the furniture and + outlines of the room. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy was radiant, but peculiarly so. She was unlike the girls to whom + he was accustomed in the city. Moreover, her manner was more quiet, more + earnest and dignified than theirs. She looked more charming than ever in a + white gown, while her burnished hair was held in place by a tall Spanish + comb, and decorated with a flower. To be sure, the details of her costume + were only suggested in the vague, uncertain light, but her pose and manner + were unusually impressive. + </p> + <p> + “I hope you will not think that all Virginians are as inhospitable as we + appear to be, Mr. Henley,” she exclaimed, with a graciousness that was + quite bewitching. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure,” said Henley, “that I have never been treated with greater + consideration by any one; my room is simply perfect!” + </p> + <p> + “In its way, yes; but its way is that of a century past. But what I was + referring to in the matter of special negligence was the time we have kept + you from food.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you know,” Paul replied, “that I have been so absorbed with the many + strange things I have seen since my arrival that I have scarcely had time + to think of food?” + </p> + <p> + “But I told you that you would be expected to have a good appetite.” + </p> + <p> + “And I have. In fact, when I think of it, I am ravenous,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + “Then follow me,” she said, leading the way toward a heavily-curtained + door upon the right. They passed into a narrow passage, and then, turning + to the left, entered a softly-lighted room. Paul was amazed at the sight + that met his eyes. A round table, set for two, loaded with flowers, cut + glass, and silver, and lighted with wax candles grouped under a large + central shade of yellow silk, with a deep fringe of the same material. The + distant parts of the room were in comparative shadow forming a proper + setting for the soft candle-light in the center. Evidently no one else was + expected, and Dorothy, taking her seat upon one side of the cloth, + requested Paul to sit opposite. + </p> + <p> + “And will not Ah Ben be with us?” inquired Henley, glancing around to see + if the old man were not coming. + </p> + <p> + “I'm afraid not,” replied Dorothy; “he rarely dines at this hour.” + </p> + <p> + If Mr. Henley had been told of the reception awaiting him at Guir House + before leaving New York, he would doubtless have considered it a hoax. As + it was, he was astounded. The odd character of the house and its inmates + had already given him much ground for thought, even amazement; but to + suddenly find himself face to face, <i>tete-a-tete</i> with a bewitching + girl, at a gorgeous dinner table, laid for them only, was a condition of + things calculated to turn any ordinary man's head. Never for an instant + had the girl given the slightest intimation of why he, or rather the + original Henley, had been wanted, and every effort to gain a clew of his + business was thwarted—sometimes, it seemed, intentionally. The table + was deftly waited upon by the same dumb man, who was a man-of-all-work and + marvelous capacity, but his orders were invariably given by signals. Paul + wondered if he were mistaken; could it be another servant with the same + affliction? But that seemed incredible. + </p> + <p> + Miss Guir's eloquent face, her wonderful hair and eyes, doubtless + interfered with Paul in the full enjoyment of his meal. In fact, he was + bewildered—dazed. He could neither account for the situation or the + growing beauty of the girl. Was it the candle-light that had proved so + becoming? But there was another matter that disturbed him, perhaps, quite + as much as this. It was the fact that Dorothy would not eat. Scarcely a + mouthful of food passed her lips, although the dishes were of the + daintiest, and she barely tasted many which she recommended heartily to + him. Was she ill? or was it not the usual hour for her evening meal? + Manlike, Henley was distressed for anything not endowed with a hearty + appetite, and after the long cool drive he was sure she ought to be + hungry. When he ventured to allude to the fact, and to remark that neither + she nor Ah Ben ate like country people, the girl only smiled and declared + that they both ate quite enough for their health, although she would never + undertake to judge for others. With this he had to be satisfied. + </p> + <p> + From time to time Paul's eyes would wander around the table; and from its + dainty dishes and exquisite flowers return to their true lodestone, his + hostess. In fact, the girl possessed a mesmeric charm for him, which had + grown with marvelous rapidity since his arrival. + </p> + <p> + “It is all wonderfully beautiful!” he said, looking straight into + Dorothy's eyes. + </p> + <p> + “I'm so glad you like it,” she answered smiling, “but you're not eating + like a very hungry man.” + </p> + <p> + She was helping his plate to a salad of cresses, to which she was adding + an extra spoonful of dressing. + </p> + <p> + “I think you will find this quite the correct thing,” she added, pushing + the plate toward him. + </p> + <p> + “Everything is much more than perfect,” answered Paul; “in fact, I am not + accustomed——” + </p> + <p> + But he checked himself suddenly. How did he know what the real Henley was + accustomed to? Possibly he was a millionaire, while he, Paul—was + not. + </p> + <p> + Whate'er she was doing, in every pose, Miss Guir was a picture—a + quaint, unusual picture, to be sure, but nevertheless a picture. In + helping the fruit which was brought on after dinner, her white hands, + ablaze with precious stones, shone to peculiar advantage; and when she + poured out the coffee that followed, Paul wished for his kodak, for he had + seen nowhere, save in old-fashioned engravings, just such a picture as she + made. But it became Miss Guir's turn to be critical. + </p> + <p> + “Do you know what I think?” she said, looking him full in the face, and + without a suspicion of embarrassment. + </p> + <p> + “About what?” + </p> + <p> + She bent toward him with her elbows on the table, her chin resting upon + her clasped hands. + </p> + <p> + “I think that if you had a flower in your buttonhole—you wouldn't + mind it now, would you, if I were to give you one?” + </p> + <p> + And then without either smile or apology, she took the chrysanthemum from + her hair and tossed it over to Paul. There was something so odd, and yet + so deeply earnest in the way the thing was done that Henley accepted the + favor as he might have accepted a command from royalty than as a + flirtatious banter from a girl. He placed the flower in his buttonhole + without the faintest desire to respond with one of those frivolous + speeches he would have used under most similar circumstances. + </p> + <p> + Before the meal was finished, Ah Ben entered the room and poured himself a + cup of coffee, which he drank without sitting down. It was all that he + took. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0003" id="link2H_4_0003"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 3 + </h2> + <p> + When Ah Ben had finished his coffee, the three retired to the great + entrance hall, where the fire was burning brightly, and the hanging lamp + lending its uncertain aid to the illumination of the curious old + apartment. Ah Ben produced a couple of long-stemmed pipes, one of which he + handed to Paul, with a great leather pouch of leaf tobacco which he showed + his guest how to prepare for smoking. They seated themselves in the pew + before the fire, Dorothy nearest the hearth, while Paul placed himself + upon the lounge opposite. + </p> + <p> + A great stillness pervaded the house, and Mr. Henley could not help + wondering again if there were not other members of the establishment. + Dorothy was staring into the fire, her thoughts far away, while Ah Ben + smoked his pipe in silence. “Perhaps they have theories about digestion,” + Paul reflected, while he pulled at his long Ti-ti stem, and watched the + meditative couple before him. The firelight played upon Ah Ben's white + moustache and swarthy features, and the colored handkerchief upon his + head, and set the long thin fingers all of a tremble upon the pipe-stem, + as if manipulating the stops of a flute. It danced over Dorothy's gown in + a dazzling sheen of white, and flashed upon her jeweled hands in colored + sparks of green and gold and purple and red, and lit up her face and hair + with the soft warm tints of a Rubens. Such a picture did the twain combine + to make; they looked indeed as if they might have stepped from the canvas + of some old master and come for a brief season to taste the joys of flesh + and blood and life. + </p> + <p> + The outer regions of the hall were in darkness, the ancient lamp barely + revealing the oddities of brush, chisel, and structure, that combined to + make the most remarkable living-room that Henley had ever seen. The + decaying portraits, the singular carvings and peculiar furniture, now only + revealed themselves by suggestion in the faint illumination of the lamp + and uncertain flicker of the fire. + </p> + <p> + But what were these people, Dorothy and Ah Ben, to each other? It was out + of the question that they could be husband and wife—it seemed + equally so that they could be father and daughter. Paul searched the faces + of each for traces of similiarity, but there were none. Their manner to + each other, the girl's mode of addressing the man, all indicated the + absence of kinship. Yes, Henley felt quite certain that Ah Ben and Dorothy + Guir were neither related nor connected, and that they were never likely + to become so. + </p> + <p> + From time to time the old man would arise to mend the fire, and a quiet + conversation upon indifferent topics ensued, Dorothy uttering a few words + occasionally, in a dreamy voice, with her head propped upon a cushion in + the corner. At last she failed to answer when spoken to; evidently she had + fallen asleep. + </p> + <p> + “My daughter, you need rest,” said Ah Ben gently, and at the same moment a + clock upon the stairs began striking eleven. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy opened her eyes and looked around. + </p> + <p> + “I must have fallen asleep!” she exclaimed quite naively. + </p> + <p> + She bade them each “Good night,” and then started up the uncanny stairs. + Near the top she paused in the darkness, and looking over the balustrade + into the hall below, seemed to be waiting. Perhaps she was not so + completely in the shadow as she imagined, and perhaps Paul did not see + aright, but through the gloom he thought he caught the flash of a diamond + as it moved toward her lips and away again. If tempted to return the + salute, his better judgment prevailed, and while holding the stem of his + pipe in his right hand, pressed the tobacco firmly into the bowl with his + left. A troublesome thought presented itself. Could this girl have entered + into any kind of entanglement with his namesake which would have demanded + a tenderer attitude than he had assumed toward her? Had he neglected + opportunities and failed to avail himself of privileges which he had + unknowingly inherited? For an instant the thought disturbed Mr. Henley's + equilibrium, but a moment's reflection convinced him that the idea was not + worth considering. Whatever it was he had seen upon the stairs he knew was + not intended for his eyes, even if it had been meant for himself. + </p> + <p> + “Shall we smoke another pipe?” said Ah Ben. “I'm something of an owl + myself, and shall sit here for quite a while before retiring.” + </p> + <p> + Paul was glad of the opportunity, and accepted with alacrity. He hoped in + the quiet of a midnight conversation to discover something about this + peculiar man and his home. Perhaps he should also learn something of the + girl, her strange life, and the Guirs. + </p> + <p> + “We may not be so comfortable as we would be in our beds,” continued the + elder man, “but there is a certain comfort in discomfort which ought not + to be undervalued. Sleep, to be enjoyed, should be discouraged rather than + courted.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Paul, “I believe Shakespeare has told us something about + it in his famous soliloquy on that subject.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” replied Ah Ben, “and I suppose there is no one living who has not + felt the delusion of comfort. Like many other material blessings, it is to + be had only in pills.” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben had stretched his legs out toward the hearth, and while passing his + hand across his withered cheek, had closed his eyes in reverie. The dim + and uncertain shadows made the room seem like some vast cavern, whose + walls were mythical and whose recesses unexplored. The lamp had expired to + a single spark, and there was nothing to reveal their presence to each + other except the red glow from the embers. + </p> + <p> + “No,” said the man, continuing to speak with his eyes still closed, + “luxury is not necessary to a man's happiness, although he has persuaded + himself that it is so.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps not,” Paul admitted, “although I contend that a certain amount of + comfort is.” + </p> + <p> + “By no means. There was never a greater fallacy, although I am free to + admit that under certain conditions it may conduce to that end. But tell + me, have you never seen one happy amid the greatest physical privations?” + </p> + <p> + “Not absolutely.” + </p> + <p> + “No, not absolutely; the absolute does not belong to the finite. I refer + to what most men would consider happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, if you're talking about saints, they're outside my experience.” + </p> + <p> + A faint smile played over Ah Ben's face as he answered: + </p> + <p> + “Saints, my dear sir, are no more to me than to you. Have you ever seen a + prize fight?” + </p> + <p> + “Oh, yes; several.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you not believe that the winner of a prize fight, even when covered + with bruises, and suffering in every bone of his body, is happier at the + moment of victory than he was the previous morning while lying comfortably + in his bed?” + </p> + <p> + “I dare say; but now you're speaking of—” + </p> + <p> + “Happiness,” suggested Ah Ben, “and if you will pardon me for saying so—for + possibly I may have thought more upon this subject than you have—I + can tell you the one essential which lies at the root of all happiness, + without which it can never be acquired, but with which it is certain to + follow.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is that?” inquired Paul, with interest. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Power</i>” said Ah Ben, with an assurance that left no doubt of the + conviction of the speaker. + </p> + <p> + “I suppose that is a kind of stepping-stone to contentment,” answered + Paul, reflectively. + </p> + <p> + “Precisely; for no man who lacks the power to accomplish his desires can + know contentment. But contentment is transitory, and rests upon power. + Power alone is the cornerstone of happiness.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you really believe that?” Paul inquired, half incredulously. + </p> + <p> + “I know it. With me it is not a matter of speculation; it is a matter of + knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + “Then let me ask you why it is that the greatest power in the world, which + is undoubtedly money, so often fails of this end?” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben refilled his pipe, then raked a coal out of the fire with the bowl + and pressed it firmly down upon the tobacco, and then said, reflectively: + </p> + <p> + “You are mistaken. Money does confer happiness to the full limit of its + power, but this limit is quickly reached—first, because man's + ambitions and desires grow faster than his wealth, or reach out into + channels that wealth can never compass, or, and principally, because + wealth is an impersonal power and not a direct one. Give the earth to a + single man, and it would never enable him to change his appearance or + alter one of his mental characteristics, nor to do one single thing he + could not have accomplished before—it giving him the power to make + others do his will; and so long as his will is not beyond the power of + others to do, he is to that extent happy. But to be really happy, a man + must have <i>personal power</i>. Wealth is not power. Power is lodged in + the individuality.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know whether I quite understand you,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben looked at him searchingly with his luminous, deep-set eyes. + </p> + <p> + “Can gold restore an idiot's mind,” he inquired, “or a cripple the use of + his limbs? Would a mountain of gold add one iota to the power of your + soul? And yet it is gold that men have labored for since the earth was + made. Could they once understand its real limitations? What a different + planet we should have!” + </p> + <p> + “That is all very well,” answered Henley; “but this personal power of + which you speak is born in a man, and is not to be acquired by anything he + can do; whereas, the battle for wealth can be fought in a field open to + all.” + </p> + <p> + “There again I must beg to differ from you,” said Ah Ben. “There is a law + for the acquirement of this soul-power which is as fixed and certain as + the law of gravitation; and when a man has once gained it, he has no more + use for worldly wealth than he has for the drainings of a sewer.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that by a course of life—” + </p> + <p> + “I do, and it is this: <i>Self-control is the law of psychic power</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, according to your theory, the better mastery a man has over + himself, the more he can accomplish and the greater his happiness?” + </p> + <p> + “I go still further,” the old man continued. “I claim that <i>self-control + is the only source of happiness, and that he who can control his body—and + by this I mean his eyes, his nerves, his tongue, his appetites and + passions—can control other men; but he who is master of his mind, + his thoughts, his desires, his emotions, has the world in a sling. Such a + man is all powerful; there is nothing he can not accomplish; there is no + force that can stand against him</i>.” + </p> + <p> + The fire had died out, save for a few glowing embers, but Ah Ben's + singular face seemed to draw unto itself what light there was, and to hold + Henley's eyes in a kind of mesmeric fascination. He had put off going to + bed for the sole purpose of gaining some knowledge of the house and its + inmates; and yet now, with apparently nothing to hinder his + investigations, he felt an unaccountable diffidence about making the + inquiries. An impression that the man was a mind-reader had doubtless + increased this embarrassment, and yet he had had no evidence of this kind, + nor anything to indicate such a fact beyond the keen, penetrating power of + those marvelous eyes. Paul felt that there was a mental chasm, deep and + wide and impassable, that yawned between him and the strange individual + before him. Such stupendous power of will as lodged within that brain + could sport with the forces of nature, suspend or reverse the action of + law, disintegrate matter, or create it. At least such was the impression + which Mr. Henley had received. + </p> + <p> + It was past midnight before a movement was made for bed, and when Ah Ben + brought a lighted candle, inquiring if everything in the bedchamber had + been satisfactory, Paul was about to reply in the affirmative, when he + suddenly remembered the staircase in the closet. + </p> + <p> + “I was about to forget,” he said, “but would you mind explaining the + object of a very peculiar staircase I discovered in the closet of my + room?” + </p> + <p> + “This house is old,” Ah Ben replied simply. “It was built when the State + was a colony and full of Indians. The stairway communicating with the + lower floor was doubtless intended as a means of escape. I had not thought + of this annoying you, but can readily see how it might. You shall be + removed to another room at once.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Removed</i>?” exclaimed Paul. “My dear sir, I had no intention of + making such a suggestion. The most I thought of asking for was a bolt for + the door, or scuttle; but since your explanation I do not wish either.” + </p> + <p> + They bade each other good night, and Paul undertook to find his room + alone, declining Ah Ben's offer to accompany him. But the house was full + of strange passages and unexpected stairways, making the task more + difficult than he had expected. After wandering about he found himself + stopped by a dead wall, at least so it had looked, but suddenly directly + before him stood Ah Ben. + </p> + <p> + “I thought you might need my assistance,” he said quietly; and then + without appearing to notice Henley's astonishment, led the way to his + room. + </p> + <p> + When Paul found himself alone, he became conscious of a growing curiosity + concerning the stairs in the closet. He opened the door and looked in, and + then quietly lifted the scuttle by the ring. He peered down into the + darkness, but, as the stairs were winding, could discern nothing for more + than a half dozen steps below. He listened, but the house was perfectly + quiet, Ah Ben's retreating footsteps having died upon the air. Somehow he + half doubted the story which the old man had told him about the original + intention of the stairway as a means of escape. It seemed improbable, and + dated back to such a remote period that he could not help feeling + distrustful. Candle in hand, he commenced to descend, looking carefully + where he placed his feet. As everywhere else, the woodwork was worm-eaten, + and the timbers set up a dismal creaking under the weight of his body, but + he had undertaken to investigate the meaning of this architectural + eccentricity, and would not now turn back. On he crept, noiselessly as + possible, adown the twisting stairs, carefully looking ahead for pitfalls + and unsuspected developments. Once he paused, thinking he heard the + distant tread of a foot, but the sound died away, and he resumed his + course. Some of the steps were so broken and rotten that extreme caution + was necessary to avoid falling. At last he reached the ground, and found + himself at the bottom of a square well, around the four walls of which the + stairs had been built. He was facing a massive door, which occupied one of + the sides of the well. Paul tried the lock, but it was so old and + rust-eaten that it refused to move. There was no other outlet, and the + place was narrow and damp. He looked wistfully at the solitary door, + feeling a vague suspicion that it barred the entrance to a mystery, and + resolved to return at some future time, when not so harassed with + sleepiness and the fatigues of travel, and make another effort to open it. + Paul looked above, and as he did so a gust of air swept down the narrow + opening and blew out his light; at the same instant he heard the fall of + the scuttle and realized that he was shut in. + </p> + <p> + “Trapped! and by my own cursed curiosity,” he muttered, as he commenced + groping his way up in the darkness. But it was not so easy as he had + supposed. Twice he slipped his foot into a rotten hole, and once the + stairs trembled so violently that he thought they were about to fall. + Nevertheless he reached the top, as he realized when his head came in + contact with the trap-door, upon the other side of which he pictured Ah + Ben standing with an amused smile. Henley placed his shoulder against the + door, and to his amazement found that it opened quite easily. He then + procured a light, and having satisfied himself that there had never been + the slightest intention to entrap him, the door having simply fallen, he + went hurriedly to bed. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0004" id="link2H_4_0004"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 4 + </h2> + <p> + The breakfast room was a charming little corner reclaimed from a dingy + cell, where in by-gone days guns and ammunition had been stored, but the + peace-loving inhabitants of later times had rendered these no longer + necessary. It was now the most modern room Paul had seen since his arrival + at this great unconventional homestead, looking quite as if it had been + tacked on by mistake to the dismal old mansion. + </p> + <p> + Upon entering, he found Miss Guir sitting alone at the table. She was + attired in a charming costume, and looked as fresh as the flowers before + her. She greeted him with a smile, and asked how he had slept. + </p> + <p> + “Perfectly!” he answered, seating himself by her side, where he looked out + of a low French window opening upon a garden with boxwood borders and a + few belated blossoms. + </p> + <p> + “But do you know,” he continued, “the most extraordinary thing happened.” + </p> + <p> + He went on to tell of his experience in the closet, thinking it best to + take the <i>bull by the horns</i> and see if anything in Dorothy's + expression would lead him to suspect foul play. She listened to his story + with interest, and, as Paul thought, a slight display of anxiety, but + nothing more. When he had finished, she simply advised him not to go down + those stairs any more, as they were rotten and dangerous. This was all. + Nevertheless Henley felt sure that the girl knew what lay upon the other + side of the door at the bottom. They chatted along quite pleasantly, Paul + endeavoring to lead the conversation into some instructive channel, but + without success. + </p> + <p> + “I thought perhaps I should have met some of your people at breakfast,” he + said, while sipping his coffee. + </p> + <p> + Dorothy stopped with a piece of toast half way to her lips. + </p> + <p> + “<i>My people</i>!” she exclaimed. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Paul, unmindful of the impression he had made. + </p> + <p> + “Really, Mr. Henley, what are you talking about?” + </p> + <p> + “The Guirs!” said Paul, still unheedful. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly he looked up, and the expression on the girl's face startled him. + </p> + <p> + “Are you ill?” he cried. “Is there anything I can do for you?” + </p> + <p> + “No, no,” she gasped. “It is nothing. I am nervous. I am always nervous in + the morning, and you gave me quite a turn. There now, I shall feel better + directly.” + </p> + <p> + If Paul was astonished before, he was dumfounded now. He could not imagine + how anything he had said could produce such an effect, but he watched the + return of color to the girl's face with satisfaction. Presently she looked + up at him with a smile and said: + </p> + <p> + “It is all right now, but you must excuse me for a minute. I shall be back + immediately.” + </p> + <p> + She got up and left the room, leaving Paul alone. His appetite had quite + departed, so he turned his chair around and looked out of the window at + the boxwood bushes and the trees beyond. Not a human figure was in sight, + nor was there a sound to indicate that there were living creatures about + the premises. Where was the family? Surely such a large house could not be + occupied solely by the few individuals he had already met. If there were + other members, where had they kept themselves? He would have given the + world to have asked a few straightforward questions, but there seemed no + opportunity to do so. Where was Ah Ben? Even he had not shown his face at + the breakfast table. A painful sense of mystery was growing more + oppressive each hour, which the bright morning sunlight had not dispelled, + as he had hoped it would. If this feeling had confined itself to Ah Ben + and the house, Paul thought he might have shaken off the gloom while in + the company of the girl, but even she was subject to such extraordinary + flights of eccentricity, such sudden fits of nervous depression, that he + felt she was not surely to be depended on as a solace to his troubled + soul. While he was meditating, the door opened, and Dorothy returned. She + was full of smiles; and the color had come back to her cheeks. + </p> + <p> + “I can't imagine how I could have given you such a turn,” said Paul + apologetically, as he resumed his place at the table. + </p> + <p> + “It was altogether my fault,” she answered. Then looking at him very + earnestly, added: + </p> + <p> + “I hope, Mr. Henley, that you may never become an outcast, as I am. I hope + <i>your people</i> will never disown you. But let us talk of something + else.” + </p> + <p> + As upon the previous evening, she was solicitous about his food, that it + should be of the best, and that he should enjoy it, although apparently + indifferent about her own. + </p> + <p> + “Of course, you will find us quite different from other people, Mr. + Henley,” she continued, sipping her coffee (she never seemed to drink or + eat anything heartily); “our ideas and manner of living being quite at + variance with theirs.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Paul replied, as if he understood it perfectly. She was toying with + her cup as though not knowing exactly how to continue. Presently she + looked up at him appealingly, possessed of a sudden idea, and added: + </p> + <p> + “And what do you think about the brain?” + </p> + <p> + Paul was astonished at the irrelevancy of the question. + </p> + <p> + “I think it is in the head,” he answered, smiling, in the hope of averting + a difficulty. “That is, I think it ought to be there,” he added in a + minute, “although it is doubtless missing in some cases. Still, there can + be but little dissent from the general opinion that the skull is the + proper place for it.” + </p> + <p> + She looked puzzled, and Paul began to wonder if he had offended her, but + in another moment she relaxed into a smile. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure you don't think anything of the kind,” she answered, “for if you + do, you're not up to date. The latest investigations have shown that brain + matter is distributed throughout the body. No, I'm not joking. We all + think more or less with our hands and feet.” + </p> + <p> + “I've not the slightest doubt of it,” Paul answered, applying himself to + his food; “and even if I had,” he continued, “I should never dispute + anything you told me.” And then, looking her full in the face, he added: + “Do you know, Miss Guir, that you have exerted a most remarkable influence + over me? It might not be polite to say that it is inexplicable; but when I + recall the fact that no girl ever before, in so short a time—” + </p> + <p> + He paused for a word, but before he could discover one that was + satisfactory, she said: + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that you have formed a liking for me already?” + </p> + <p> + “It is hardly the word. I have been fascinated from the moment I first saw + you.” + </p> + <p> + “I'm so glad,” she answered, without the slightest appearance of coquetry, + and as simply and naturally as though she were talking about the weather. + Paul was puzzled. He could not understand her, and not knowing how to + proceed, an awkward silence followed. Presently she leaned her head upon + her hand, her elbow resting on the table, and with a languid yet + interested scrutiny of his face, said: + </p> + <p> + “You doubtless know the world, its people and ways, far better than I, and + perhaps you wouldn't mind helping me with my book.” + </p> + <p> + “Indeed! You are writing a book, then?” + </p> + <p> + “No, but I should like to do so.” + </p> + <p> + “And may I ask what it is about?” + </p> + <p> + “It's about myself and Ah Ben, and the awful predicament into which we + have fallen.” + </p> + <p> + “I should like greatly to help you,” said Paul, thinking the subject might + lead to a clearer insight of the situation; “but even were I competent to + do so, which I doubt, I can not see how any little worldly knowledge I + might possess could possibly be of service in a description of your own + life.” + </p> + <p> + “It is only that I should like to present our story in attractive form—one + which would be read by worldly people.” + </p> + <p> + “A laudable ambition. But what is the predicament you speak of?” + </p> + <p> + “The predicament is more directly my own; the situation, Ah Ben's.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps if you will explain them, I might aid you.” + </p> + <p> + “You might indeed,” she answered seriously, rising from the table; “but it + would be premature. Let us go into the garden.” + </p> + <p> + She led the way through the back of the house out into the old-fashioned + yard, where boxwood bushes and chrysanthemums, together with other + autumnal flowers, adorned the beds. They walked down a straight path and + seated themselves upon a rustic bench in full view of the edifice. Paul + lighted a cigarette and watched the strange old building before him, while + Dorothy was content to sit and look at him, as though he were some new + variety of man just landed from the planet Mars. Presently she arose and + wandered down the path in search of a few choice blossoms, leaving Paul + alone, who watched her until she disappeared among the shrubbery. + </p> + <p> + Sitting quietly smoking his cigarette, Mr. Henley became absorbed in a + critical study of the quaint old pile which had so suddenly risen to + abnormal interest in his eyes. A part of the structure was falling rapidly + to decay, while other portions were so deeply embedded in ivy and other + creeping things that it was impossible to discover their actual state of + preservation. The windows were small and far apart, and Paul recognized + his own by its bearing upon a certain tree which he had noticed while + looking out upon the previous night. Following down the line of the wall, + he was surprised to find a large space which was not pierced by either + door or window, and naturally began to wonder what manner of apartment lay + upon the opposite side, where neither light nor air were admitted. The + wall, to be sure, was covered with Virginia creeper, which had made its + way to the roof, but it was evident that it concealed no opening. Then his + thoughts wandered back to the mysterious well, and he began to wonder if + the closed door at the bottom connected with the unaccounted-for space + behind this wall. His curiosity grew as he brooded upon this possibility—a + possibility which he now conceded to be a certainty as he marked the + configuration of the building. The blank wall was beneath his bedroom. The + well descended directly into it, or upon one side of it, and communicated + with it through the door mentioned. There was nothing to be learned by + inquiry, and Henley determined to make another effort to force open the + door. His resolution was not entirely the result of curiosity, for he had + taken such a sudden and strong liking for the girl that he disliked the + thought of leaving her; and yet the riddle of her environment was such + that he conceived it to be no more than a proper regard for his own safety + to take such a precaution while visiting her. Having reached this + determination, he cast about for the means of executing it. He thought he + should require a hammer and a cold chisel, but where such were to be found + he could not conceive. Moreover, even were they in his possession, it was + impossible to see exactly how he could make use of them without arousing + the household. He thought of various devices, such as a muffled hammer, or + a crowbar to wrench the door from its hinges, but these were discarded in + turn as impracticable, from the fact that they were unobtainable. He + looked about him among the shrubbery, but there was nothing to aid him; + and, indeed, how could he expect to find tools where there were no + servants to use them? He got up and walked down the path, absorbed in + reverie, and although unable to devise any immediate plan to accomplish + the task, his resolution became more fixed as he dwelt upon it. He would + risk all things in opening that door, and was impatient for an opportunity + to renew the effort. Then the girl's voice came floating through the air + in a plaintive melody, and Henley was recalled to his surroundings. In + another minute she had joined him. + </p> + <p> + “I was afraid you would be lonely without me,” she said, “and so I + returned as soon as I had carried the flowers to the house.” + </p> + <p> + “I am so glad,” he replied, with a look of unmistakable pleasure. “Do you + know, this is the most romantic place I have ever seen in all my life, and + you are certainly the most romantic girl.” + </p> + <p> + “Am I?” she answered sadly, and without a glimmering suspicion of a smile. + </p> + <p> + They walked slowly down the path until reaching a decrepit old gate, where + they stopped. + </p> + <p> + “This is the end of the garden,” she said. “Shall we go into the woods for + a walk?” + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy!” Paul began, “pardon me for calling you by your name, but do you + know I feel as if any prefix in your case would be irritating, from the + fact that you strike me as a girl who is utterly above and beyond such + idle conventionalities. One would almost as soon think of saying Miss to a + goddess.” + </p> + <p> + “And may I call you Paul? You will not think me forward if I should do + so?” she asked, looking up at him. + </p> + <p> + “I will think myself more honored than any poor language of mine could + describe,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + “You know I would not want to call you Paul,” she added, “unless I + believed in you—unless I thought you were true and honorable in all + things.” + </p> + <p> + Paul winced. Was he not deceiving the girl at that very minute? What could + he say? + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy,” he answered, after a moment's hesitation, “I am not true, nor + honorable neither. Perhaps you had better not call me Paul. I do not + deserve it.” + </p> + <p> + She was looking him straight in the face, with her hand upon the gate. He + felt the keen, searching quality of her eyes, but was able now to return + the look. + </p> + <p> + “We sometimes judge ourselves harshly,” she continued. “I have myself been + often led by an idle temptation into what at first appeared but a trifling + wrong, but which looked far more serious later. Had I acted with the + greater knowledge, I had committed the greater fault.” + </p> + <p> + What was she saying? Was she not describing his own position? + </p> + <p> + “Therefore, when I say Paul,” she added, “I do it because I like you, and + because I believe in you, and not because I think you perfect.” + </p> + <p> + She lifted the rickety old gate with care, and he closed it after them; + then they walked out over the dank leaves, through the brilliant coloring + of the forest. The day was soft and tempting, while a mellow haze filled + the air. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to show you the prettiest spot in all the world,” said + Dorothy, “a place where I often go and sit alone.” + </p> + <p> + They walked side by side, there being no longer any path, or, if there had + been one, it was now covered, and the sunlight, filtering through the + tree-tops, fell in brilliant patches upon the gaudy carpet beneath their + feet. They had walked a mile, when Paul heard the murmur of distant water, + and saw that they were heading for a rocky gorge, through which a small + stream forced its way in a jumble of tiny cataracts and pools. It was an + ideal spot, shut in from all the world beyond. The restful air, barely + stirring the tree-tops, and the water, as it went dripping from stone to + stone, made just enough sound to intimate that the life principle of a + drowsy world was existent. They seated themselves upon a rocky ledge, and + Dorothy became absorbed in reverie; while Paul, from a slightly lower + point, gazed up at the trees, the sky, and the girl, with mute + infatuation. + </p> + <p> + “You lead such an ideal life here,” he said, after some minutes of + silence, “that I should imagine the outer world would seem harsh and cold + by contrast.” + </p> + <p> + “But I have never seen what you call the outer world,” she answered, with + a touch of melancholy in her voice. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to say that you have lived here always?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, and always shall, unless some one helps me away.” + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I quite understand,” he replied, “who could help you away, + if your own people would not. Pardon the allusion, but I do not grasp the + situation.” + </p> + <p> + “I could never go with any of the Guirs,” she answered, with a shudder, + “for I am quite as much afraid of them as they are of me.” + </p> + <p> + Paul was again silent. He was meditating whether it were best to ask + frankly what she meant, and risk the girl's displeasure, as well as his + own identity, or to take another course. Presently he said: + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy, I would not pry into the secrets of your soul for the world, and + am sure you will believe in my honesty in declaring that there is no one + whom I would more gladly serve than yourself. I think you must know this.” + </p> + <p> + An eager glance for a moment dispelled the melancholy of her face, and + then the old look returned with added force, as she answered: + </p> + <p> + “Yes, Paul, I believe what you say, and admit that you, of all men, could + be of service; and yet you have no conception of the sacrifice you would + entail upon yourself by the service you would render. Could I profit + myself at the cost of your eternal sorrow? You do not know, and alas! I + cannot explain; but the boon of my liberty would, I fear, only be + purchased at the price of yours. I had not thought I should be so + perplexed!” + </p> + <p> + He had not found the slightest relief from the embarrassing ignorance that + enshrouded him. The girl's utter lack of coquetry, and her depth of + feeling, made his position even more complex than it might otherwise have + been. + </p> + <p> + “As you must know, I am talking in the dark,” he continued after a minute, + “but this much I will venture to assert, that no act of mine could be a + sacrifice which would put my life in closer touch with yours; for although + it was only yesterday that we met for the first time, I love you; and I + loved you, Dorothy, from the instant I first caught sight of you at the + station. I do not pretend to explain this, but have felt an overpowering + passion from that moment.” + </p> + <p> + “And you will not think me unmaidenly, Paul, if I say the same to you?” + </p> + <p> + She made no effort to conceal her feelings, and they sat murmuring sweet + things into each other's ears until a green bird came fluttering through + the air, and lighting upon a bough just above their heads, screamed: + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy! Dorothy!” + </p> + <p> + It was a parrot, and there was something so uncanny in its sudden + appearance that Paul started: + </p> + <p> + “He seems to be your chaperone!” he observed. + </p> + <p> + “He is my mascot!” cried Dorothy. “If it were not for his company, I fear + I should go mad. I am so lonely, Paul, you can not understand it.” + </p> + <p> + “Have you no neighbors?” he inquired. + </p> + <p> + “None within miles; and we live such a strange isolated life that people + are afraid of us.” + </p> + <p> + Paul thought of the stage driver, and his look of horror on hearing where + he was going. + </p> + <p> + “I can't understand why people should be afraid of you simply because you + live alone,” he said. “For my part, I think your life here is most + interesting. But you have not told me how I can help you.” + </p> + <p> + “Nor can I yet,” she answered. “There is a way, of course, but I can not + consent to so great a sacrifice from you; at least, not at present.” + </p> + <p> + “And would it compel me to leave you?” + </p> + <p> + “No; it would compel you to be with me always.” + </p> + <p> + “And have you so little faith in me as to call that a sacrifice? I did + flatter myself that you believed what I told you just now.” + </p> + <p> + “But, Paul, you do not know me. Wait until you do. Then, perhaps, you will + change your mind.” + </p> + <p> + She spoke with emphasis and a strange depth of feeling, and he wondered + what she meant. + </p> + <p> + “I could never change, Dorothy,” he replied with fervor, “unless you + wished it; but if you did, do you know I believe it would not be in your + power to reverse the bewildering spell you have wrought, and make me hate + you, for never before have I felt anything approaching this strange sudden + infatuation. But do not keep me in suspense; tell me, I pray, what is this + mystery in your life which you think would change my feelings toward you?” + </p> + <p> + “I belong nowhere. I have no friend in all the wide world,” she answered + bitterly. + </p> + <p> + “You have forgotten Ah Ben,” suggested Paul. She did not answer, but + continued stroking the parrot which had lighted upon her shoulder, + demanding her caresses with numerous mutterings. + </p> + <p> + “Modesty prevents my reminding you of my humble aspirations to your + friendship,” added Paul, nestling closer to her side. Suddenly she looked + up at him with an intense penetrating gaze, while she squeezed the parrot + until it screamed. + </p> + <p> + “Do you think you could show your friendship and stick to me through a + terrible ordeal?” she asked earnestly. + </p> + <p> + “I'm sure of it,” he answered. “My love is not so thin-skinned as to + shrink from any test. Only try me!” + </p> + <p> + “Then get me away from this place,” she cried, “far, <i>far</i> away from + it. But, mind, it will not be so easy as you think.” + </p> + <p> + “Are you held against your will?” demanded Paul. + </p> + <p> + “No, <i>no</i>! You can not understand it. But I could not go alone. I + will explain it to you some time, but not now. There is no hurry.” + </p> + <p> + “Is Ah Ben anxious to keep you?” inquired Henley. + </p> + <p> + “On the contrary, he wishes me to go. You can not understand me, as I am + quite different from other girls. Only take my word for what I tell you; + and when the time comes, you will not desert me, will you?” + </p> + <p> + There was something wildly entreating in her manner and the tones of her + voice, and a pathos which went to Henley's heart. What it all was about he + could no more imagine than he could account for any of the mysteries at + Guir House; but he was determined to stand by Dorothy, come what might. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly the girl had become quiet, rapt in some new thought. In another + minute she placed her hand lightly upon Paul's shoulder, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Remember, you have promised!” + </p> + <p> + “I have promised,” answered Paul. “Is there anything more?” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Dorothy. + </p> + <p> + She paused for a minute, as if what she were about to say was a great + effort. + </p> + <p> + “Well,” he continued, “after I have got you safely away—which, by + the by, does not seem such a difficult task, as no one opposes your going—but, + after we have escaped together, what further am I to do?” + </p> + <p> + “Naturally, I feel great delicacy in what I am about to say,” said + Dorothy; “but since you have told me that you love me, it does not seem so + hard, although you do not know who or what I am—but, to be candid + and frank with you, dear Paul, after you have gotten me away—why, + you must marry me!” + </p> + <p> + Paul snatched her up in his arms. + </p> + <p> + “My darling!” he said, “you are making me the proudest man on earth!” + </p> + <p> + “Do not speak too soon,” said Dorothy, releasing herself from his grasp. + “Remember I have told you frankly that you do not know me. Perhaps I am + driving a hard bargain with you!” + </p> + <p> + For a moment Paul became serious. + </p> + <p> + “Tell me, Dorothy,” he asked, in an altered tone, “have you, or Ah Ben, or + any member of your mysterious household or family, any crimes to answer + for? Is there any good reason why I, as an honest man, should object to + taking you for my wife?” + </p> + <p> + She turned scarlet as she answered: + </p> + <p> + “Never! There is no such reason. There is nothing dishonorable, I swear to + you—nothing which could implicate you in any way with wrong-doing. + No, Paul; my secret is different from that. You could never guess it, nor + could I ever compromise you with crime.” + </p> + <p> + Her manner was sincere, and carried conviction to the hearer of the truth + of what she said. + </p> + <p> + “It is time we were going to the house,” she added, rising, with the + parrot still upon her shoulder; and side by side they retraced their steps + along the woodland way homeward. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0005" id="link2H_4_0005"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 5 + </h2> + <p> + Although Mr. Henley had no doubt of the truth of Miss Guir's assertion, + the mystery of her life was as real and deeply impressive as ever. Perhaps + it was even more so, as seeming more subtle and far-reaching than crime + itself, if such a thing were possible. Paul was determined to investigate + the secret of the closet stairs; for while Ah Ben's explanation was + plausible to a degree, the blank wall and heavy door at the bottom filled + him with an uncanny fascination, which grew as he pondered upon them. + Exactly what course to pursue he had not decided, but awaited an + opportunity to continue his efforts in earnest. There were two serious + difficulties to contend with; one was the want of tools, the other the + necessity of prosecuting his work in silence. + </p> + <p> + As upon the previous evening, Dorothy and Mr. Henley dined alone, although + Ah Ben, appearing just before they had finished, partook of a little dry + lettuce and a small cup of coffee. Dorothy, as usual, ate most sparingly, + “scarcely enough,” as Paul remarked, “to keep the parrot alive.” + </p> + <p> + After dinner they went together into the great hall, where Ah Ben prepared + a pipe apiece for himself and his guest. + </p> + <p> + The logs were piled high upon the hearth, and the cheery blaze lit up the + old pictures with a shimmering lustre, reducing the lamp to a mere + spectral ornament. It was the flickering firelight that made the men and + women on the walls nod at each other, as perhaps they had done in life. + </p> + <p> + They seated themselves in the spacious old leather-covered pew; Ah Ben and + Dorothy upon one side, while Paul sat opposite. The men were soon engaged + with their pipes, while Miss Guir had settled herself upon a pile of + cushions in the corner nearest the chimney. + </p> + <p> + “You have been absent from home to-day, I believe,” said Henley to the old + man, by way of opening the conversation, and with the hope of eliciting an + answer which would throw some light upon his habits. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Ah Ben replied, blowing a volume of smoke from under his long, + white moustache; “I seldom pass the entire day in this house. There are + few things that give me more pleasure than roaming alone through the + forest. One seems to come in closer touch with first principles. Nature, + Mr. Henley, must be courted to be comprehended.” + </p> + <p> + “I suppose so,” answered Paul, not knowing what else to say, and wondering + at the man's odd method of passing the time. + </p> + <p> + A long silence followed after this, only interrupted at intervals by + guttural mutterings from the parrot, which seemed to be lodged somewhere + in the upper regions of the obscure stairway. When the clock struck + eleven, the bird shrieked out, as upon the previous night. + </p> + <p> + “Dorothy! Dorothy! it is bed time!” + </p> + <p> + Miss Guir arose, and saying “Good night,” left Ah Ben and Mr. Henley to + themselves. + </p> + <p> + “I am afraid I have been very stupid,” said the old man, apologetically; + “indeed, I must have fallen asleep, as it is my habit to take a nap in the + early evening, after which I am more wide awake than at any other hour.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” answered Paul, “I have been enjoying my pipe, and as Miss + Guir seemed disposed to be quiet, think I must have been nodding myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you feel disposed to join me in another pipe and a midnight talk,” + inquired the host, “or are you inclined for bed?” + </p> + <p> + Paul was not sleepy, and nothing could have suited him better than to sit + over the fire, listening to this strange man, and so he again accepted + eagerly. Ah Ben seemed pleased, declaring it was a great treat to have a + friend who was as much of an owl as he himself was. And so he added fresh + fuel to the dying embers, settled himself in his cosy corner by the fire, + while Paul sat opposite. + </p> + <p> + “Every man must live his own life,” resumed Ah Ben; “but with my temper, + the better half would be blotted out, were I deprived of this quiet time + for thought and reflection.” + </p> + <p> + “I quite agree with you,” replied Paul, “and yet the wisdom of the world + is opposed to late hours.” + </p> + <p> + “The wisdom of the world is based upon the experience of the <i>worldly + prosperous</i>; and what is worldly prosperity but the accumulation of + dollars? To be prosperous is one thing; to be happy, quite another.” + </p> + <p> + “I see you are coming back to our old argument. I am sure I could never + school myself to the cheerful disregard for money which you seem to have. + For my part, I could not do without it, although, to be sure, I sometimes + manage on very little.” + </p> + <p> + “Again the wisdom of the world!” exclaimed Ah Ben, “and what has it done + for us?” + </p> + <p> + “It has taught us to be very comfortable in this latter part of the + nineteenth century,” Paul replied. + </p> + <p> + “Has it?” cried the old man, his eyes fixed full upon Henley's face. “I + admit,” he continued, “that it has taught us to rely upon luxuries that + eat out the life while pampering the body. It has taught us to depend upon + the poison that paralyzes the will, and that personal power we were + speaking of. It has done much for man, I grant you, but its efforts have + been mainly directed to his destruction.” + </p> + <p> + “No man can be happy without health,” answered Paul, “and surely you will + admit that the discoveries of the last few decades have done much to + improve his physical condition.” + </p> + <p> + He was nestling back into the corner of his lounge, where the shadow of + the mantelpiece screened his face, and enabled him to look directly into + Ah Ben's eyes, now fixed upon him with strange intensity. There was a + power behind those eyes that was wont to impress the beholder with a + species of interest which he felt might be developed into awe; and yet + they were neither large nor handsome, as eyes are generally counted. Deep + set, mounted with withered lids and shaggy brows, their power was due to + the manifestation of a spiritual force, a Titanic will, that made itself + felt, independent of material envelopment. It was the soul looking through + the narrow window of mortality. + </p> + <p> + “Health?” said Ah Ben, repeating Henley's last idea interrogatively, and + yet scarcely above a whisper. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, health,” answered Paul. “I maintain that the old maxim of 'early to + bed' says something on that score, as well as on that of wealth.” + </p> + <p> + “True, but you said that a man must needs be healthy to be happy.” + </p> + <p> + “That's it, and I maintain that it's a pretty good assertion.” + </p> + <p> + “There again we must differ. Happiness should be independent of bodily + conditions, whether those conditions mean outward luxury or inward ease. I + must again refer you to the prize-fighter. But if you will pardon me, I + think you have put the cart before the horse; for once having granted that + personal power, happiness must ensue, and your health as a necessity + follow. First cultivate this occult force, and we need submit to no + physical laws; for inasmuch as the higher controls the lower, we are + masters of our own bodies.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a pretty good prescription for those who are able to follow it, + but for my humble attainments I'd rather depend on physic and a virtuous + life.” + </p> + <p> + “Quite so,” answered Ah Ben, thoughtfully, “but, speaking frankly, this + limitation of your powers to the chemical action of your body only shows + the narrowness of your scientific training. Had men been taught the power + of the will as the underlying principle of every effect, one drug would + have proved quite as efficacious as another, and bread pills would have + met the requirements of the world.” + </p> + <p> + “But in the state of imbecility in which we happen to find ourselves,” + added Paul, “I should think that a judicious application of the world's + wisdom would be better than trifling with theories one does not + comprehend.” + </p> + <p> + “As I said just now,” observed Ah Ben, “I have no desire to force my + private views upon another, but I must distinctly object to the word + 'theory,' as associated with my positive knowledge on this subject. Every + man must do as he thinks right, and as suits him best; but, for my part, I + have disregarded all the physical laws of health during an unusually long + life.” + </p> + <p> + Paul straightened himself up, and looked at his host in the hope of a + further explanation. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think I quite understand you!” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Ah Ben, repeating the sentence slowly and emphasizing the + words, “<i>I disregard all laws usually considered essential to living at + all</i>!” + </p> + <p> + Henley was silent for a minute in a vain effort to decide whether or not + he were speaking seriously. He could not help remembering his abstinence + from food, but at the time had not doubted the man had eaten between + meals. + </p> + <p> + “Then you certainly ought to know all about it,” he continued, relaxing + into his former position, but quite unsettled as to Ah Ben's intention. + </p> + <p> + “You must admit that I have had sufficient time to be an authority unto + myself, if not to others,” added the old man. And then as he pressed the + ashes down into the bowl of his pipe with his long emaciated fingers, and + watched the little threads of smoke as they came curling out from under + his thick moustache, Paul could only admit that the gravity of his bearing + was inconsistent with a humorous interpretation of his words. + </p> + <p> + “You interest me greatly,” resumed Henley, after scrutinizing the singular + face before him for several minutes, in a kind of mesmeric fascination, + “and I should like to ask what you mean by the cultivation of this occult + power of which you spoke?” + </p> + <p> + “It is only to be acquired by the supremest quality of self-control, as I + told you yesterday,” answered Ah Ben; “but when once gained, no man would + relinquish it for the gold of a thousand Solomons! You would have proof of + what I tell you? Well, some day perhaps you will!” + </p> + <p> + Henley started. The man had read his thoughts. It was the very question + upon his lips. + </p> + <p> + “You are a mind reader!” cried Paul. “How did you know I was going to ask + you that?” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben made no answer; he did not even smile, but continued to gaze into + the fire and blow little puffs of smoke toward the chimney. + </p> + <p> + “You referred just now to the prize-fighter,” Paul resumed after a few + minutes, “but I am going to squelch that argument.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” Ah Ben replied, now with his eyes half closed, “you are going to + tell me that, although the man may have been battered and bruised, he + really feels no pain, because of the unnatural excitement of the moment; + but there you only rivet the argument against yourself; for I maintain—and + not from theory, but from knowledge—that that very excitement is an + exaltation of the spirit, which may be cultivated and relied upon to + conquer pain and the ills of the flesh forever!” + </p> + <p> + “It would go far indeed if it could do all that, although I believe there + is something in what you say, for in a small way I have seen it myself.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, we have all seen it in a small way; and does it not seem strange + that men have never thought of cultivating it in a larger way, through the + exercise of their will in controlling their minds and bodies? This + exaltation of spirit is only attained through effort, or some great + physical shock. It is the secret of all power; it conquers all pain, and + makes disease impossible.” + </p> + <p> + “Makes disease impossible!” cried Paul in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the elder man quietly. “This soul power, of which I speak, + is the hidden akasa in all men—it is the man himself—and when + once recognized, the body is relegated to its proper sphere as the + servant, and not the master; then it is that man realizes his own power + and supremacy over all things.” + </p> + <p> + “But,” persisted Henley, “if you go so far as to say that this occult or + soul power can conquer disease, you would have us all living forever!” + </p> + <p> + “We do live forever,” answered Ah Ben. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, after death; but I mean here!” + </p> + <p> + “<i>There is no such thing as death</i>!” remarked Ah Ben quietly, as if + he were merely giving expression to a well-established scientific fact. + </p> + <p> + “And yet we see it about us every day,” Paul replied. + </p> + <p> + “There you are wrong, for no man has ever seen that which never occurs!” + </p> + <p> + “You are quibbling with words,” suggested Henley. + </p> + <p> + “There is a change at a certain period in a man's life, which, from + ignorance, people have agreed to call death. But it is a misnomer, for man + never dies. He goes right on living; and it is generally a considerable + time before he realizes the change that has taken place in him. He would + laugh at the word death, as understood upon earth, as indeed he frequently + does, for he is far more alive than ever before.” + </p> + <p> + “You speak as if you knew all this,” said Paul. “One might almost imagine + that you had been in the other world yourself.” + </p> + <p> + “<i>Had been</i>!” exclaimed the old man with emphasis. “<i>I am in it + now, and so are you. But there is a difference between us; I know that I + am in it, because I can see it, and touch it, and hear it; while you are + in it without knowing it</i>.” + </p> + <p> + There was an air of authority that impressed the hearer with the + conviction of the speaker. This was not theory; it was the result of + experience. There was a difference as vast as the night from the day. “I + suppose, when I am dead, I shall know these things too,” said Paul + meditatively. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Ah Ben, “not when you are dead, but when you have been born—when + you have come into life.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me,” answered Paul, pondering on the man's strange assertion; “but + this knowledge of yours is in demand more than all other knowledge. + Positive information about the other world is what men have sought through + all the ages; why do you not impart it to them?” + </p> + <p> + “Impart it!” exclaimed Ah Ben. “Can you explain to one who has been born + blind what it is to see? Can you impart to such a man any true conception + of the world in which he has always lived? But <i>couch</i> his eyes, + remove the worthless film that has covered them, and for the first time he + realizes the glorious world surrounding him. Likewise <i>couch</i> the + body, remove the shell that covers the spirit, and it is born.” + </p> + <p> + “I perceive, then, that it is only through death that most of us can hope + to gain this knowledge.” + </p> + <p> + “Death, if you prefer the word,” said Ah Ben. “Yes, it is the death of the + film over the eye that reveals the world to the blind; but I should hardly + say that the man was dead because he had so entered into another + existence.” + </p> + <p> + “Would you mind telling me how it is that you have gained this knowledge + in such obvious exception to the rule!” + </p> + <p> + “The power of the occult is dormant in all men,” answered Ah Ben; “and as + I have already said, may be developed slowly, through the exercise of the + will, or suddenly, as in some great physical shock, and of a necessity + comes to all in the event called death. Were I to tell you how <i>I</i> + acquired this knowledge, Mr. Henley, it would startle you, far more than + any exhibition of the power itself. No, I can not tell you; at least, not + at present; perhaps some day you may be better prepared to hear it.” + </p> + <p> + The spark in the hanging lamp had almost expired, and the fire was reduced + to a mere handful of coals, casting an erubescent glow over the pew and + its occupants. Ah Ben stretched his hand toward the chimney, and as he did + so, a ball of misty light appeared against it, just below the mantel. It + was ill defined and hazy, like the reflection a firefly will sometimes + make against the ceiling of a darkened room; but it was fixed, and Paul + was sure it had not been there a moment before. + </p> + <p> + “Do you see that?” asked the old man, breaking the silence. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered Paul; “and I was just wondering what it could be.” + </p> + <p> + “Watch! and you will see.” + </p> + <p> + They sat with their eyes fixed; but while Paul was staring into the + mantel, Ah Ben was looking at him. + </p> + <p> + “Observe how it grows,” and even as he spoke the strange illumination + deepened, until it assumed the distinct and definite form of a lamp. Then + the mantelpiece dissolved into nothingness, and Paul was staring through + the chimney into a strange room, whose form and contents were dimly + revealed by the curious lamp which occupied a table in the centre. Two + persons sat at this table, the one a woman, the other a boy, and near at + hand was an English army officer. The woman was small, with dark eyes and + hair, and a skin the color of tan bark. Her head was bowed forward and + rested upon her arms, which were crossed upon the table. The man was + looking down at her with a troubled expression, and in a minute he stooped + forward and kissed the top of her head; he then turned suddenly and left + the room. The scene was distinct, although the outer part of the room was + in shadow. Presently the woman threw herself to the floor with a + heart-rending shriek, and Paul started up, exclaiming: + </p> + <p> + “What has happened? She will wake everybody in the house!” + </p> + <p> + He bounded to his feet; but as he did so, the lamp in the strange room + went out, and the chimney closed over the scene, leaving him with his old + surroundings. Looking up at Ah Ben, he said: + </p> + <p> + “I must have fallen asleep. I've been dreaming.” + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” answered Ah Ben. “You've been quite as wide awake as I have, + and we've been looking at the same thing.” + </p> + <p> + Paul demanded the proof, which the old man gave by telling him what he had + seen in every detail. + </p> + <p> + “Then it's magic!” said Henley, “for surely no room can be visible through + that chimney.” + </p> + <p> + “That,” answered Ah Ben, “is mere assertion, which you can never prove.” + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to tell me that the thing was real? There is a secret about + this house which I do not understand!” + </p> + <p> + His manner was excited. He felt that he had been the dupe of the man + before him, the prey to some clever trick; the thing was too preposterous, + too unreasonable. + </p> + <p> + “Be calm,” said Ah Ben; “there is nothing in this that should disturb you. + The room has disappeared from our sight, and will no more trouble us. + Shall we have another pipe?” + </p> + <p> + The words had an instantaneous effect, so that Paul resumed his seat and + pipe, as if nothing had happened. For several minutes he sat silently + gazing at vacancy, and listening to the north wind as it moaned through + the old pines. He was trying to account for what he had seen, but could + not. The mystery was deepening into an overpowering gloom. The house, with + its eccentric inmates; the girl Dorothy, with her freaks and manner of + living; the odd circumstance of the stairway in his closet; these, and + other things, flashed upon his memory in a confused jumble, and seemed as + inexplicable as the vision just witnessed through the chimney. + </p> + <p> + Suddenly a thought struck him. Could this last have been hypnotism? He put + the question straight to Ah Ben. The man passed his withered hand over his + face thoughtfully as he answered: + </p> + <p> + “Hypnotism, Mr. Henley, is a name that is used in the West for a condition + that has been known in the East for thousands of years as the underlying + principle of <i>all phenomena</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “And what is that condition?” Paul inquired. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Sympathetic vibration</i>,” answered the elder man. + </p> + <p> + “Vibration of what?” asked Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Of the mind,” said Ah Ben. “The condition of the universal mind vibrating + in our material plane, or within the range of our physical senses, is + represented in the trees and the rocks, in the earth and the stars. Our + physical senses, being attuned to his form of vibration, are in sympathy + with it, and apprehend all its phenomena. There is but one mind, of which + man is a part. Thought is a product of mind. Thought is real, and, when + sufficiently concentrated, becomes tangible and visible to those who can + be brought into sympathy with its vibrations. There is but one primal + substance, which is mind. Mind creates all things out of itself; + therefore, to change the world we look at, it is only necessary to change + our minds.” + </p> + <p> + “Let me ask if what I saw was hypnotism?” repeated Henley. “I ask this, + first, because I know it is impossible to see through a brick wall, even + if there should be such a room in the house; and, secondly, because I + cannot believe that I was dreaming, consequently the thing could not have + been real.” + </p> + <p> + “Hypnotism is a good enough word,” answered Ah Ben; “but that which men + generally understand by the real, and that which they consider the unreal, + are not so far apart as they suppose. You say the room was not real, and + yet you saw it; had you wished, you might have touched it, which is + certainly all the evidence you have of the existence of the room in which + we are now sitting. Hypnotism is not a cause of hallucination, as is + commonly supposed, but of fact. Its effects are not illusory, but real. + Perhaps it would be more correct to say that they are <i>as real</i> as + anything else, and that <i>all</i> the phenomena of nature are mere + illusions of the senses, which they undoubtedly are. But whichever side we + take, all appearances are the result of the same general cause—that + of mental vibration. Matter has no real existence.” + </p> + <p> + Paul was meditating on what he had seen and what he was now hearing. Ah + Ben's words were endowed with an added force by the vision of the + mysterious room. + </p> + <p> + “When you tell me that there is practically no difference between the real + and the unreal, and that matter has no real existence, I must confess to + some perplexity,” observed Henley. + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben looked up and smoothed the furrows in his withered cheek + thoughtfully for a minute before he answered: + </p> + <p> + “Unfortunately, Mr. Henley, language is not absolute or final in its power + to convey thought, and the best we can do is to use it as carefully as + possible to express ourselves, which we can only hope to do approximately. + Therefore when I say that a thing is hot or cold, or hard or soft, I only + mean that it is so by comparison with certain other things; and when I say + that matter has no existence, I mean that it has no independent existence—no + existence outside of the mind that brought it into being. I mean that it + was formed by mind, formed out of mind, and that it continues to exist in + mind as a part of mind. I mean that it is an appearance objective to our + point of consciousness on the material plane; but inasmuch as it was + formed by thought, it can be reformed by thought, which could never be if + it existed independently of thought. It is real in the sense of apparent + objectivity, and not real in the sense of independent objectivity, and yet + it affects us in precisely the same manner as if it were independent of + thought. What, then, is the difference between matter as viewed from the + Idealist's or the Materialist's point of view? At first there is + apparently none, but a deeper insight will show us that the difference is + vast and radical, for in the one case the tree or the chair that I am + looking at, owing its very existence to mind, is governed by mind, which + could never be did they exist as separate and distinct entities. Therefore + I say with perfect truth that matter does not exist in the one sense, and + yet that it does exist in the other. I dream of a green field; a beautiful + landscape, never before beheld; I awake and it is gone. Where was that + enchanting scene? I can tell you: for it was in the mind, where everything + else is. But upon waking I have changed my mind, and the scene has + vanished. Thus it is with the Adept of the East, with the Yoghis, the + Pundit, the Rishis, and the common Fakir; through the power of hypnotism + they alter the condition of the subject's mind, and with it his world has + likewise undergone a change. You say this is not real, that it is merely + illusion; but in reply I would say that these illusions have been + subjected to the severest tests; their reality has been certified to by + every human sense, and when an illusion responds to the sense of both + sight and touch, when the sense of sight is corroborated by that of touch, + or by any other of the five senses, what <i>better</i> evidence have we of + the existence of those things we are all agreed to call real? Yes, I know + what you are about to say, you object upon the ground that only a small + minority are witnesses of the marvels of Eastern magic; but you are wrong, + for I have seen hundreds of men in a public square all eye-witnesses to + precisely the same occult phenomena at once. Now if certain hundreds could + be so impressed, why not other hundreds? And with a still more powerful + hypnotizer, why could not a majority—nay, all of those in a certain + district, a certain State, a certain country, <i>in the world</i>—be + made to see and feel things which now, and to us, have no existence? In + that case, Mr. Henley, would it be the majority or the minority who were + deceived? <i>All is mind</i>, and the hypnotizer merely alters it.” + </p> + <p> + “You said just now,” answered Paul, “that matter, being mind, was governed + by mind, and that the tree or chair before me, owing its existence to + mind, is subject to that mind; do you mean by that to say that the + existence of that sofa, as a sofa, may be transformed into something else + by mental action alone?” + </p> + <p> + “I do,” said Ah Ben, “under certain conditions; namely, the condition + called hypnotism. On this material plane we are imprisoned; the will is + not free to operate upon its environment, but in the spiritual state this + dependence and slavery to the appearances we call realities is cast aside; + the will becomes free and controls its own environment—in short, we + are out of prison. But even here, Mr. Henley, by practicing the + self-control we were speaking of, the will becomes so powerful that it can + sometimes break through the bondage of matter, which, after all, is no + more real than the stuff a dream is made of, and mold its prison walls + into any form it chooses; in which case, of course, it is no longer a + prison, and the other world is achieved without the change called death!” + </p> + <p> + “And why do you call it a prison, if no more real than a dream?” + </p> + <p> + “Have you ever had the nightmare? If so, you must know that your will was + insufficient to free you from the horrid scene that had taken such + forcible hold of you. Was the nightmare real or not?” + </p> + <p> + Paul was silent for several minutes. He could not deny the reality of the + scene through the chimney, for it had the same forceful existence to him + as anything in life. Ah Ben, seeing that he was still puzzling himself + over the problem of mind and matter, the puzzle of life, the great sphinx + riddle of the ages, said: + </p> + <p> + “Let me ask you a question, Mr. Henley—I might say several questions—which + may possibly tend to throw a little light upon this subject, and perhaps + convince you that matter is really mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Ask as many as you like.” + </p> + <p> + “Pantheism,” continued Ah Ben, “is scoffed at by many people calling + themselves Christians as being idolatrous, and yet to me it is the most + ennobling of all creeds. Without knowing anything of your religious faith, + I would first ask if you believe in God?” + </p> + <p> + Paul answered affirmatively. + </p> + <p> + “Do you look upon him as a personal Deity—I mean as an exaggerated + man in size and power—or as a Spirit?” + </p> + <p> + “As a Spirit,” Paul replied. + </p> + <p> + “Very well, then; do you believe that Spirit is infinite or finite?” + </p> + <p> + “Infinite.” + </p> + <p> + “Then, if it is infinite, there can be no part of space in which it does + not exist.” + </p> + <p> + “That is my idea also.” + </p> + <p> + “If, then, that Spirit exists everywhere, it must penetrate all matter; in + fact, all matter must, in its very essence, be a part of it; it must be + formed out of the very substance of this infinite Spirit or Mind. Hence + all is mind!” + </p> + <p> + “That seems clear enough,” said Paul; “in which case it seems to me that + we are a part of God ourselves, and God being spirit, we must be spirits + now.” + </p> + <p> + “Of course we are,” answered Ah Ben; “as I have already told you, we are + in the spiritual world now, although much of it is screened from our view, + because we are temporarily imprisoned in a lower vibratory plane, called + matter.” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben arose, and procuring candles, which he lighted by the expiring + fire, the men went to their beds. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0006" id="link2H_4_0006"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 6 + </h2> + <p> + It was past midnight, and the house quiet, when Paul determined to have + another look at the mysterious door at the foot of his closet stairs. He + had sat for more than an hour before his bedroom fire, after bidding Ah + Ben good-night, to make sure that the inmates of Guir House had retired; + and as not a sound had been heard since locking his door, he sincerely + hoped they were asleep. Before descending into the noisome depths, + however, he concluded to climb up into his window, and have another look + at the beautiful panorama of mountain and woodland shimmering in the + meagre light of a hazy sky and a moon past full. The uncertain outline of + a distant horizon; the interminable stretch of forest, which bore away + upon every hand; the rugged heights, now soft and colorless; the aromatic + smell of pine and fir; the distant murmur of falling water; and the + assonant whispering of wind in the tree tops, had all become strangely + fascinating to him, more so than such things had ever been before. “Never + was a house so situated, so lost to the world, so tightly held in the lap + of unregenerate nature,” thought Paul; “no laugh of child, no shout of + man, no bark of dog, nor bellowing beast to break the stillness of the + midnight air; an impenetrable, imperturbable, and silent wilderness shuts + out the busy world, as we know it, forever and forever. It is a fitting + place for such witchery as the old man seems master of, and I do not + wonder that he has chosen it for his home; but the girl—the poor + girl!—she must get away!” He closed the window, and prepared for his + descent into the well. + </p> + <p> + Removing his shoes, he put on a pair of soft felt slippers, and then, with + candle in his hand, a box of matches and a revolver in his pocket, entered + the closet, and opened the scuttle in the floor. A mouldy smell rose upon + the air, and Henley recoiled at the thought of what might be in waiting + below. He had not the slightest idea of how he should open the door at the + bottom, but would make a careful study of the situation, hoping that a + solution of the difficulty would present itself. The steps creaked + dismally as he placed his weight upon them, and it was necessary to use + extreme caution to avoid breaking through the more rotten ones. He had not + descended more than a dozen, when there was a terrible crash above his + head, and he found himself in absolute darkness. The trap had fallen as + upon the previous night, he having forgotten to fasten it back, and the + wind had blown out his candle. Henley hastened back up the stairs, fearful + lest the noise had waked some one in the house, and without relighting his + candle threw himself upon the bed to await developments. After listening + for some minutes, and hearing nothing, he became convinced that no one had + been disturbed; and so, creeping out of bed, and lighting his candle by + the dying embers in the fireplace, started in afresh. This time he was + careful to fasten back the scuttle door, and in doing so discovered that + one of the great iron hinges was loose. It was more than two feet long, + and with very little difficulty he managed to wrench it off, thinking it + might possibly be of service in forcing the door at the bottom. He was + careful this time to let the scuttle down quietly after him, thinking it + safer to do this than to prop it open. + </p> + <p> + The bottom was reached in safety after the usual doleful crunching and + creaking of the timber, and Paul sat down on the bottom step, with his + candle, to rest and quiet himself, before proceeding with his work upon + the door. A dead stillness reigned all about him, broken only by the + occasional resettling of the steps above his head, but which, to his + excited brain, was like the report of a pistol; still even this ceased in + a few minutes, and the silence was undisturbed. He now made a careful + examination of the door. It was very heavy, and solid. Holding his candle + close against the crack, he could see, to his surprise, that it was bolted + upon the inside. Placing his ear close against the keyhole, he listened, + but it was silent as a tomb within; and how the door became fastened upon + the inside was inexplicable, unless indeed there was another outlet, which + from his examination of the building had seemed improbable. Then, taking + out his knife, he stuck it into the wood in various directions to + ascertain the condition of its preservation. The door itself was in an + excellent state; but in examining the lintel, the blade of his knife + suddenly sank into the rotten wood up to the handle. Here, then, was the + place to begin operations, and fortunately it was on the side from which + the door opened. Henley had soon dug away a great segment of decayed wood, + exposing the bolt clearly to view. Then taking the hinge which he had + brought with him, and slipping the small end between the bolt and the + frame of the door, he used it as a lever to pry against the bolt within. + The iron was so old and rusty, and his purchase so poor, that he only + succeeded in making a rasping sound where the two metals scraped against + each other, and so stopped, discouraged. Presently he bethought him of his + handkerchief, which he wrapped carefully around the end of the hinge, and + thus not only gained a better purchase, increasing his leverage, but was + able to operate without the slightest sound. It was a long time before the + bolt moved, but to his intense gratification it did move at last, and + Henley took a fresh grip upon his hinge. Backward and forward he worked + his lever, and with each turn the old bolt slipped back a little. At last + he could see the end of it, and then it was clear of the frame entirely. + He had expected no difficulty in opening the door when the hinge was once + slipped, but to his surprise it was still immovable. He pulled and tugged + and pushed, but it would not budge; then suddenly, just as he was about to + give up, it came tumbling down upon him, so that he was barely able to + save it from falling against the stairs with a terrible crash, but + fortunately caught it upon his shoulder, and lowered it to the floor + without a sound. Imagine his surprise in going to what he now believed to + be the open portal, to find that the doorway had been bricked up from + within, and that the door itself had simply been the back of a solid wall. + Naturally, he was disappointed at finding himself no nearer the inner + chamber than before. A careful examination of the masonry showed that the + work of bricking up the entrance had undoubtedly been done from the other + side, and after the door had been closed and bolted. This was evidenced + from the fact that there was no mortar next the door, against the smooth + inner surface of which the bricks had been closely laid. Henley worked his + hinge between some of the looser joints, and found, just as he expected, + that the mortar had been laid from within. By degrees he managed to wedge + one of the bricks out of its place, and then pulled it bodily from the + wall. The inner surface was plastered over. He tried another, which he got + out more easily, and it told the same tale. Then he went to work in + earnest, and had soon dug a hole large enough to admit his body. Leaning + over into the aperture, with his candle at arm's length, the place looked + dark and empty, with faint masses of lighter shadow. Then, with a certain + indescribable awe, Henley commenced crawling through the breach. Stepping + upon an earthern floor, he found himself in a vault-like chamber—damp, + mouldy, and foul of atmosphere. He glanced hurriedly about, and then + turned to examine the wall through which he had come. Just as he had + surmised, the bricks had been laid from the inner side, and plastered over + within. The person who had done the work must have had some other means of + escape. This set him to wondering where the other entrance could be, and + to a careful search around the wall; but there was no door, no window, nor + opening of any kind. How had the work been done? While he was wondering, + he stumbled over something in the floor, and, recovering, threw back his + head, holding his candle high above it. He was startled by the sight of + what appeared to be four shadowy human faces, looking directly at him from + above. Instinctively he sought his revolver, but before drawing it + perceived that what he had taken for living people were simply four + portraits, of the most remarkable character he had ever beheld. Paul + stared in bewilderment at the sight before him. The pictures were so old, + their canvases so rotten and mildewed and stained with the accumulated + fungi of time and darkness that it was only by degrees that the intention + of the artist became manifest. In the hall and other apartments of the old + house, Henley thought he had seen the most original and inexplicable + pictures ever painted; but here, buried forever from the sight of human + eyes, were the most dreadful countenances ever transcribed from life or + the imagination of man. Torture was clearly depicted upon each face; but + not torture alone, for horror, fright, and mental agony were strangely + blended in each. Not a face that looked down upon him from those + antiquated frames but bore that agonized, heart-broken, terrified + expression. Paul was paralyzed; a kind of mesmeric spell held him to the + spot, so that he could not remove his eyes from the uncanny scene before + him. Then a wild desire to be rid of the place forever seized him, and he + stepped backward. At the same minute he observed for the first time what + looked like some faded letters painted upon the wall directly beneath the + four mysterious portraits. Examining these with his candle, he saw that + they formed the words: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “<i>The last of the Guirs</i>.” + </pre> + <p> + “No wonder Dorothy said that she was afraid of them,” Paul reflected; + “their portraits alone would drive me mad.” He took another long searching + look; and as his eyes grew accustomed to the faded coloring, he observed + how cleverly the work had been done. Evidently the pictures had been + painted from life, though under what circumstances Henley could never + imagine. The faces were all those of a feminine type; they were of young + women, apparently but little more than girls, and each with this + life-like, though dreadful expression. As Paul stood marveling and + wondering, a new interest seized him. At first he could not quite + understand what it was, but it became stronger and better defined, he + knew, for he recognized one of the faces. Yes, there could be no mistake + about it; the picture on the left was a <i>portrait of Dorothy herself</i>. + Henley rubbed his eyes, and looked again and again; he could not believe + their evidence, but they had not deceived him. He tried to make himself + believe that it was the likeness of some ancestor, to whom she had a + strange resemblance; but, despite the look of pain, it could be no other + than Dorothy, and indeed this very expression helped to heighten the + likeness, for had he not seen a similar expression at the breakfast table? + The longer he gazed at it, the more convinced he became that this was a + portrait of Miss Guir. At last, thoroughly mystified, he turned away, + intending to leave this grewsome chamber of horrors forever; but now for + the first time the heap of rubbish in the center of the floor engaged his + attention. Taking his hinge, he stirred up the mass; some shreds of cloth, + which fell to pieces on being touched, and beneath them some human bones. + This was all, but it was enough; and overwhelmed with horror, Henley + rushed out of the room, bounding through the aperture he had made in the + wall, and up the rickety stairs into his own bed chamber. He carefully + closed the scuttle, heaped some firewood upon it, shut the closet door and + fastened it securely from without. He then built up a roaring fire, lit + another candle, and sat meditating over what he had seen until the dawn of + day. When the light of the sun came streaming into his room, he undressed + and went to bed. + </p> + <p> + Whatever may have been Mr. Henley's suspicions concerning the implication + of the Guirs with the crime which he could no longer doubt had been + committed in their house, they were promptly dispelled, so far as the + young lady was concerned, upon meeting Dorothy at the breakfast table. Her + innocent though serious face was a direct rebuke to any distrust he might + have entertained; and he even doubted if she had any knowledge of the + state of things he had discovered in the vault. This, of course, only + added to the mystery; nor was Mr. Henley's self-esteem fortified by the + memory of how unscrupulously he had become the guest of these people, and + of how equivocal had been his treatment of their hospitality. All this, + however, related to the past, and, as he felt, could not be now undone. He + must act to the best of his ability in the extraordinary position in which + he found himself. + </p> + <p> + After breakfast they walked again into the garden, and while Paul smoked + his cigarette, meditatively, Dorothy gathered flowers for the house. There + was an earnestness in everything that she did, quite unusual in a girl of + her age, and at times her manner was grave and sad, but strangely + attractive, nevertheless. When she had completed her labors in the garden, + she came and seated herself beside him. + </p> + <p> + “Some day, Paul, we'll have a cheerier home than this; won't we?” she + said, looking wistfully up at the quaint old pile before them. + </p> + <p> + “I don't think we could have a more romantic one,” he answered; and then, + hoping to elicit an explanatory answer, added, “but why should Guir House + not seem cheerful to you?” + </p> + <p> + “I don't know; it has always been gloomy; don't you think so?” + </p> + <p> + “Not having known it always, Dorothy, I am not in a position to judge; but + it will always be the sweetest place on earth to me, because I met you + here for the first time.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes, I know; but you must not forget your promise.” + </p> + <p> + She seemed nervous and anxious concerning his fulfillment of it. + </p> + <p> + “And do you suppose that I could ever forget anything you asked me? No, + Dorothy, while you will it, I am your slave; but, as I told you before, + you exert such a strange power over me that you could make me hate and + fear you. I don't know why this should be so, but I feel it!” + </p> + <p> + “Hush!” she said, extending her outstretched hand toward his mouth; “do + not talk in that way; you frighten me; for, O Paul! I was just beginning + to hope that in you I had found a friend who would never shrink away from + me. Do not tell me that you will ever become afraid of me like the others. + I could not bear it.” + </p> + <p> + “I shrink! God forbid,” he answered, “but tell me why are other people + afraid of you? You mystify me.” + </p> + <p> + “Because I am different—so different from them!” + </p> + <p> + “I'm quite sure of that,” he replied, “else I should never have come to + love you within an hour of meeting you.” + </p> + <p> + She did not smile; she did not even look up at him, but sat gazing at + nothing, with countenance as solemn and imperturbable as that of a Sphinx. + </p> + <p> + “How am I ever to understand you, Dorothy, you seem such a riddle?” said + Paul presently. + </p> + <p> + “You will never understand me,” she answered with a sigh, “No one ever has + understood me, and you will be just like the rest!” + </p> + <p> + “But you will never let me be afraid of you, like the others, will you?” + he exclaimed half in earnest. + </p> + <p> + “I don't know; others are; why should not you be?” + </p> + <p> + She was still staring into vacancy, with her hands clasped, and Paul + thought he detected a little, just a little, of the same expression he had + seen in the portrait. He started, and Dorothy saw him. + </p> + <p> + “What is the matter?” she inquired, looking around at him for the first + time. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing; only you looked so dreadfully in earnest, you startled me.” + </p> + <p> + “But surely you would not be startled by so simple a thing as that!” + </p> + <p> + “Why not? I am only human,” he answered. + </p> + <p> + “Yes, but I am sure there was something else. Now tell me, was there not?” + </p> + <p> + “Why, how strangely you talk!” he replied, searching her face for an + explanation. “Of course there wasn't; why should there be?” + </p> + <p> + She leaned back, apparently still in doubt as to his assertion, while her + countenance grew even more grave than before. Henley was puzzled, and + while Dorothy had not ceased to charm him, he was conscious of a very + slight uneasiness in her presence. This, however, wore off a little later + when they went together for a stroll in the forest. The girl's extreme + delicacy of appearance, her abstracted, melancholy manner, and sincerity + of expression, both attracted and perplexed Paul, and kept him constantly + at work endeavoring to solve her character and form some conception of the + mystery of her life. He had not yet had even the courage to ask her if Ah + Ben were her father, dreading to expose himself as an impostor and be + ordered from the place, which, despite his discovery of the previous + night, he could only regard as an unmitigated hardship in the present + state of his feelings; and so he had let the hours slip by, constantly + hoping that something would occur to explain the whole situation to him. + And yet nothing had occurred, and now upon the third day he was as grossly + ignorant of the causes which had produced his strange environment as at + the moment of his arrival. + </p> + <p> + “One thing I do not understand,” Paul observed, as they wandered over the + vari-colored leaves, side by side; “it is why you should be so anxious to + leave this ideal spot.” + </p> + <p> + “Have I not told you that it is because I am out of my element; because I + am avoided; because I have not a friend far nor near! Oh, Paul, you do not + know what it is to be alone in the world!” + </p> + <p> + “And do you believe that a simple change of locality would alter all + this?” he asked. + </p> + <p> + She paused for a moment before answering, and then, looking down upon the + ground, said as if with some effort: + </p> + <p> + “No, not that alone.” + </p> + <p> + “What then, Dorothy?” he asked with solicitude. + </p> + <p> + “I have already told you,” she replied without looking up. “Oh, Paul, what + a short memory you must have!” + </p> + <p> + “Of course I understand that we are to be married,” he responded hastily, + “but how can that alter the situation? Dorothy, if we have not found + congenial friends in that position in life in which God or nature has + placed us, how can we hope to make them in another? Do you not think there + may be some deeper reason than simple locality and single blessedness? + Would it not be natural to look for the cause in the individual?” + </p> + <p> + “Undoubtedly you are right,” she answered, “but your premises do not apply + to my case, for neither God nor nature ever intended that I should live + this life. Oh, Paul, believe me when I tell you that I know whereof I + speak. Do not judge me as you would another; some day you may know, but I + can not tell you now.” + </p> + <p> + She spoke pleadingly, as imploring to be released from some awful incubus + which it was impossible to explain. Paul listened in deep perplexity, and + swore that the powers of heaven and earth should never come between them. + So different was she from any girl that he had ever seen, that her very + eccentricity bound him to her with a magic spell. When he had again asked + her if Ah Ben would oppose their marriage, or indeed if any one else + would, she declared that no human being would raise a voice against it. + </p> + <p> + “Then what is to hinder us?” he asked; “I am poor, but I can support you; + not perhaps in such luxury as you are accustomed to, but I can give you a + home; and if you are so unhappy here, why submit to unnecessary delay?” + </p> + <p> + He had become impassioned and enthused by the girl's strange influence + over him. + </p> + <p> + “True, Paul, there are none to hinder us,” she replied seriously, “that + is, no one but—but—” + </p> + <p> + She paused, not knowing how to proceed. + </p> + <p> + “Then there is some one,” cried Paul earnestly. “I thought as much. Who + might the gentleman be?” + </p> + <p> + “Yourself!” exclaimed Dorothy, her eyes still fixed upon the ground. + </p> + <p> + “Myself!” shouted he in amazement. “Do you mean to say that I should + oppose my own marriage with the girl I love?” + </p> + <p> + “You might,” she answered demurely, casting a side glance up at him, and + allowing the very faintest, saddest kind of smile to rest for an instant + upon her face. + </p> + <p> + “Well!” said Paul, “I do not suppose you will explain what you mean, but + it would be only natural that I should like to know.” + </p> + <p> + “I only mean,” she replied, resuming her meditative attitude, “that you do + not know me; that you neither know who nor what I am. If I did not love + you, I might deceive and entrap you, but not under the circumstances.” + </p> + <p> + Later they returned to the house. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0007" id="link2H_4_0007"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 7 + </h2> + <p> + It was not until Mr. Henley had made another and longer visit to the dark + room that he became convinced beyond all doubt that the work of sealing up + the place had been done from within, and that there was, and had been, no + other outlet but that through which he had entered. To suppose that the + main wall of the house had been closed in at a later period would be + preposterous, and for manifest reasons. His examination of the room's + interior had been most thorough and exhaustive. The place was smoothly + plastered upon the inside, and even the mason's trowel had been found upon + the floor within, so that it became at once evident that those who had + done the work had been self-immured. Although the reason for such an act + was utterly beyond his comprehension, Paul felt a certain satisfaction in + having reached this conclusion, as it showed the impossibility of + Dorothy's being in any way implicated in the affair. It seemed even + possible that she was ignorant of it. But this discovery in no wise + lessened the mystery; it rather increased it. + </p> + <p> + A few evenings after Paul's decision regarding the self-immurement of + those discovered in the vault, he and Ah Ben were again enjoying their + pipes by the great fireplace in the hall. The elder man was generally + disposed to conversation at this hour; and after Dorothy had retired, Paul + alluded to the strange scene he had witnessed through the chimney, and + expressed a desire to learn something of occultism. Taking his + long-stemmed pipe from his lips, the old man gazed earnestly into the + fire. He seemed to be thinking of what to say, and to be drawing + inspiration from the glowing embers and dancing flames before him. At last + he spoke: + </p> + <p> + “Occultism, Mr. Henley, is difficult—nay, almost impossible—to + explain to a layman; or if explained, remains incomprehensible; and yet a + child may acquire its secrets by its individual efforts. Spiritual power + comes to those who seek it in proper mood, but, injudiciously exercised, + may cause insanity.” + </p> + <p> + “Nevertheless,” urged Paul, “if you won't consider me a trifler, I should + like to see a further manifestation of the power.” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben looked at him compassionately. + </p> + <p> + “Pardon me, Mr. Henley,” he said, “but it is not always well to gratify + our curiosity upon such a subject; but if you seriously wish it, and can + believe in me as an honest and honorable custodian of the power, and will + prepare yourself for a serious mental shock, I will show you something.” + </p> + <p> + “Before proceeding,” said Paul, “I should like to ask you a question. Was + the room I saw through the chimney a real room? I mean had it any material + existence upon earth?” + </p> + <p> + “Most assuredly. It was a scene in my early childhood, and originated in + the Valley of the Jhelum, in the Punjab. The officer and lady were my + parents. It was the last time I ever saw them. I was the boy.” + </p> + <p> + “May I ask how it is possible to reproduce a scene so long passed out of + existence, and which took place so many thousand miles away?” + </p> + <p> + “Easily told, but not so easily understood by one whose mind has never + been trained to think in these occult channels,” answered the elder man; + “for to understand the thing at all, you must first divest your mind of + time and space as outside entities, for these are in reality but modes of + thought, and have only such value as we give them. India, doubtless, seems + very far to you, but to one whose powers of will have been sufficiently + developed, it is no farther than the wall of this room. So it is with + time. How can we see that which no longer exists? But a little reflection + will show us that even on the physical plane we see that which does not + exist every day of our lives. Look at the stars. The light by which some + of them are recognized has been millions of years in transit, so that we + do not behold them as they are tonight, but as they were at that remote + period of time; meanwhile they may have been wrecked and scattered in + meteoric dust.” + </p> + <p> + “But that is hardly an explanation of the scene referred to,” answered + Paul. “Whenever I direct my eyes in the right quarter, the stars are + visible; whether they be actually there or not, they are there to me; but + not so with the vision of the room. In my normal condition there is no + room there, while in my normal condition the stars are always there.” + </p> + <p> + “True, and because your normal condition is sympathetically attuned to the + vibrations of starlight. Your consciousness is located in your brain, and + so long as those vibrations continue to strike with sufficient force upon + the optic nerve, you will be conscious of the light. But suppose the + machinery of your body were finer—suppose your senses were + absolutely in accord with those vibratory movements, instead of only + partially so—do you not know that the starlight would reveal far + more than it now does? Then you would see not only the light, but the + scenes that are carried in the light, but which by reason of their + obtuseness can not penetrate your senses. Were this improvement in men + really achieved, our conceptions of time and space would be modified, and + the condition of other worlds as plainly seen as our own.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Paul, determined to follow up the original question, “but what + of a scene that occurred in this world some years ago, and whose light + vibrations would require but the fraction of a second to reach our point + of consciousness—no matter where situated on earth—and which + vibrations have long since passed beyond the reach of man, and been lost + in infinite space?” + </p> + <p> + “Nothing is ever lost, and infinite space is but a phase of infinite mind. + All that is necessary to review such a picture is to change our point of + consciousness from the brain to a point in space or <i>mind</i>, where the + vibratory movement is still in progress. In other words, to overtake the + scene by transposing our consciousness. Granted these powers, which are + born of the soul, and we may behold any event in history with the + clearness of its original force. Man is mind, and mind is one; but all + mind is not self-conscious. The consciousness of mind is in spots, as it + were, and here its consciousness is fixed in a spot called brain, where + with most men it remains until the will, or some abnormal condition or the + event called death, liberates it from its prison. You believe that with + your God, the scenes of yesterday, to-day, and forever are alike visible?” + </p> + <p> + “Even admitting all that you say,” answered Paul, “I can not see how it + was that I, who have no such power, could see clearly an event in your + life.” + </p> + <p> + “Again the power of sympathetic vibration. The scene was reflected from my + mind to yours.” + </p> + <p> + “But you just now said there was but one mind.” + </p> + <p> + “Perhaps then it would be more correct to say, from my point of + consciousness to yours; or, to be still more accurate, to say that the + intensity of my thoughts struck a sympathetic chord in yours, and vibrated + through you as one consciousness. Without undue familiarity, Mr. Henley, I + have found in you a responsive temperament. There are few men I can not + influence, and with some the effort is trifling.” + </p> + <p> + Paul was interested, and sat quietly reflecting upon what he had heard. + Naturally the ideas were not so clear as they would have been had he given + more thought to the conditions of spirituality, which for so many years + had been a part of Ah Ben's existence, and which state was as familiar to + him as the body in which he appeared. Time and reflection alone, as this + strange man had declared, could bring one to comprehend and realize a + condition of existence so totally differing from that of our material + plane. The inability of language to express that of which we have no + parallel, and of which we can not conceive, is a grave obstacle to our + understanding; but the man was ever ready to exert himself to make the + matter clear when he found his listener interested. + </p> + <p> + “If I am not tiring you,” continued Paul, “I should like to call your + attention to another point. You said that nothing was absolute; that all + was relative; and yet when it comes to fixed measures, I think you must + admit that this is not so. For example, a mile is a mile, and a mile must + always be a mile under every conceivable condition. Am I not right?” + </p> + <p> + “At first thought it would seem so,” answered Ah Ben. “A mile certainly + appears to be an absolute unchanging quantity of so many feet, which must + always and under every circumstance affect us in the same way; and yet a + little reflection will show that this can not be so, and that a mile, + after all, is only fixed so long as our mind is fixed. In other words, it + is a mental conception, and relative to other mental conceptions. Let us, + for example, suppose that the world and all its contents, and, in fact, + the entire universe, were exactly twice as large as it is, the mile would + then be twice as long as it is now; and that which we <i>now</i> call a + mile would only make the impression of half as much distance as it now + does. And so with all material conditions; I say <i>material</i>, for in + the spiritual life we see these things more truly as they are, and not as + they appear. There is but one class of facts which is absolute. I speak of + the emotions. These are the realities of life—the soul qualities. + Could we measure <i>love</i>, <i>hate</i>, or <i>happiness</i>, the + standard would be fixed.” + </p> + <p> + “Do not forget your promise to show me something more of your power in the + region of occultism,” said Henley, “for I am greatly interested.” + </p> + <p> + “I will keep my word, but I warn you to prepare for a shock!” + </p> + <p> + “I am ready, and should like nothing better than to witness an example of + your greatest power!” + </p> + <p> + The old man looked solemn, and then slowly answered: + </p> + <p> + “You shall be gratified. It is now past midnight. Dorothy is asleep, and + it is a fitting time. If you will follow me to my own room, I will show + you a mystery.” + </p> + <p> + For a moment Paul hesitated. The thought of following this strange man at + such an hour into the realm of the unknown, to investigate the + supernatural, was uncanny, and he half wished he had not made the request. + He knew the man to be no trifler. That which he promised, he would surely + perform. Then, procuring a candle, Ah Ben led the way. + </p> + <p> + They walked along the narrow passage at the rear, Ah Ben stopping to close + the door quietly behind them. They then mounted a still narrower stairway + at the back, Paul following closely. Presently they entered a passage + which led in the opposite direction from Henley's bedchamber, and then, + turning sharply to the right, found a narrow hallway which terminated in a + door. Here the men stopped. + </p> + <p> + “I am going to take you into my sanctum, and you must not be surprised if + you find things different from the ordinary. The circumstances of my life + have set me apart from most men; and if my surroundings are at variance + with theirs, you must set it down to these facts.” + </p> + <p> + Here he opened the door. + </p> + <p> + The room was lighted with the same lamp that Paul had seen through the + chimney. There were odd-looking things, such as a skeleton with artificial + eyes; a glass manikin with a reddish fluid that meandered through his body + in thread-like streams; a horoscope and a globe, suspended from the + ceiling, with the signs of the Zodiac. Various old parchments, covered + with quaint cabalistic figures, were tacked against the walls. In a + cabinet, embellished with hieroglyphics, stood another human form, a mummy + wonderfully preserved. + </p> + <p> + “Here we are alone,” said Ah Ben; “it is the quietest hour of the night, + and therefore we are least apt to be disturbed.” + </p> + <p> + “And what do you propose?” asked Paul with a misgiving he was loth to + admit. + </p> + <p> + “Whatever you may desire, Mr. Henley; for you must know that which is born + of spirit is not subject to the restrictions of matter. But remember that + all is natural; there is no supernatural, and therefore no cause for + alarm.” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben led the way to the window, and having drawn aside the curtain, + threw up the sash. To Henley's amazement they walked directly through the + open casement and found themselves upon a broad stone terrace in the + glaring light of day. Beneath them lay a city of marvelous beauty, whose + streets were lined with palaces, surrounded by their own parks, and whose + inhabitants were walking in and about the shaded thoroughfares, or resting + in the public seats beside them. The change was so sudden, so bewildering, + that Paul drew back, his hand pressed against his head; whereupon Ah Ben + took him by the arm and said: + </p> + <p> + “There is nothing here to alarm you. Come, let us descend these steps, and + walk through the town!” + </p> + <p> + The voice and touch of the man reassured him. + </p> + <p> + Walking down the broad stone steps, they found themselves in a noble + avenue lined with trees and adorned with sparkling fountains. Everywhere + the people looked happy. There was neither hurry nor effort, but the + grandest monuments to human action were visible upon every hand. Such + palaces of dazzling marble; such lace-like carvings in stone; such noble + terraces and gardens; and open to all the world alike. + </p> + <p> + “See,” said Ah Ben, “the people here are of one mind. There is no + wrangling nor struggling for place. These palaces are the property of the + public; and why should they not be, since man's unity is understood? + Exclusiveness is the result of ignorance, but privacy and seclusion may + even be better enjoyed in the conditions prevailing here than in our own + state of existence, and because of the unlimited power and material to + draw upon. No man can crowd another after he has come to realize that all + is mind, and that mind is infinite.” + </p> + <p> + “But where is Guir House, and the estate?” inquired Paul, feeling as if + the whole thing were an incomprehensible illusion. + </p> + <p> + “They have not been disturbed,” the old man answered. “They are where they + always were, <i>in the minds of those who perceive them, and upon whose + plane they exist</i>.” + </p> + <p> + “It is too utterly bewildering. These things appear as real as any I ever + saw.” + </p> + <p> + “Appear! They <i>are as real</i>. Let us go into one of these bazars, and + see what the people are doing.” + </p> + <p> + They turned through an open doorway resplendent with burnished metal and + sculpture to where great corridors, halls, and galleries, stocked with + properties and merchandise of every description, were crowded with people. + No one was in attendance; and those who came and went, carried with them + what they pleased. No money was passed, nor did compensation of any kind + seem forthcoming. “If anything strikes your fancy, take it,” said Ah Ben. + “All things here are free, and yet everything is paid for.” + </p> + <p> + Paul asked for an explanation, which Ah Ben gave as follows: + </p> + <p> + “The city before you is located in the year 3,000, more than a thousand + years in advance of our time. It is called <i>Levachan</i>, and will + appear upon earth about 700 years hence; in about four hundred years from + which time it will attain the size and splendor you now behold. We here + see it in its spiritual state, which precedes and follows all material + forms. It will begin its descent into matter, through the minds of + physical man, about the time I have mentioned. It is merely a type of a + class toward which we are tending, and I show it to you that you may see + the vast strides we shall have made by that time. In the state of society + in which we find ourselves, compensation is made by a system of absolute + freedom in exchange. Here, if a man wants a coat, he takes it, and the + owner reimburses himself from the great reservoir of the world's goods, + which is open to all men as integral parts of a unit.” + </p> + <p> + “What check have you upon the unreasoning rapacity of a thief, who will + take ten times as much as he requires?” + </p> + <p> + “The system operates directly against the development of that trait. Here, + men are only too anxious to have their goods admired and taken; for, being + certain of their own maintenance, they feel a pride in contributing to + that of others, and there is no temptation to take that which can not be + kept, since his neighbor has equal right to take from him an idle surplus. + Here the laws are the reverse of ours, for here a man is encouraged in the + taking, but never in the holding. Wealth is measured by what a man + disburses; hence all are anxious to part with their individual property + for the advancement of the commonwealth, knowing that the <i>one</i> can + only thrive when the many are prosperous.” + </p> + <p> + They continued their walk amid the marvelous wealth that surrounded them. + There were fabrics of untold value; jewels of indescribable splendor; men, + women, and children with strangely eager faces. They seated themselves + upon revolving chairs in the midst of a great space to watch the + glittering show. + </p> + <p> + “But tell me what it all means,” inquired Paul. “I feel as if it were a + dream, and yet I am absolutely certain that it is not.” + </p> + <p> + “You are right; it is not a dream. Levachan is as real as New York, + Boston, or Chicago, although invisible to men of earth. Its inhabitants + are as conscious of their existence as you and I are of ours. They are + quite as alive to their history and probable destiny as any well educated + citizen of America or Europe.” + </p> + <p> + “But where is Guir House, and all it contained?” repeated Henley, unable + to understand. + </p> + <p> + “Nothing has been changed by this any more than if you were in your bed + dreaming it all. But to you it is incomprehensible, as I told you it would + be, because your mind has never been trained to think in these realms.” + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Paul, turning uneasily in his chair, dazed by the marvelous + pageant that moved constantly about them. “No, I admit that it has not, + and that the whole thing is utterly beyond me; and this, none the less, + because I am aware that one of the fundamental facts of nature is that two + things can not occupy the same space at the same time. My previous + education, instead of helping me, makes the situation more difficult. The + Guir estate and this city can not both be here at once; of that I am + sure.” + </p> + <p> + “That is a mere assumption on the part of materialists,” answered Ah Ben. + “Not only two things, but ten million things, can occupy the same space at + the same time; for what is space, and what is time? They are mental + conditions, as are all the phenomena of nature. Even your scientist will + tell you that the infinite ether penetrates all substances, and that + cast-steel or a diamond contains as much of this mysterious element as any + other space of equal size. The varying vibrations of this ether, or + universal akasa, make the world and all that is in it; and these + vibrations are interpenetrable and non-obstructive. Even on the material + plane we see how the vibrations of light and heat penetrate those of + visible and tangible substance, and how, in your more recent discoveries, + light rays penetrate solid metals formerly called opaque. When I say that + these vibrations are interpenetrable and non-obstructive, the statement + must be taken as approximating the truth, and not as a finality, + independent of all conditions; for by the power of the will, or as a + result of mental habit, a man may either exclude or admit to his + consciousness the thought vibrations of others. But you may set it down as + a fundamental fact that there is nothing or no condition of which the mind + can conceive that may not become an objective reality, which is the + creative faculty in all of us. This city is here to us just as really and + actually as were the trees of Guir forest a short time ago. By opening our + inward sight, and putting ourselves in accord with another vibratory plane + of existence, we are in full <i>rapport</i> with a condition that makes no + impression upon the members of the sleeping world not so impressed.” + </p> + <p> + “But we left the house at midnight, and here we are in the broad light of + day. Do you mean to tell me that the mind controls the sun itself? The + thing is so astounding that I feel as if I were losing my reason.” + </p> + <p> + “And did I not tell you that it was unwise to gratify curiosity in this + realm when unprepared by a long course of training? But let me quote you a + few words from one of our greatest philosophers”; and Ah Ben quoted the + following from Franz Hartman's “Magic, White and Black”: + </p> + <p> + “Visible man is not all there is of man, but is surrounded by an invisible + mental atmosphere, comparable to the pulp surrounding the seed in a fruit; + but this light, or atmosphere, or pulp, is the mind of man, an organized + ocean of spiritual substance, wherein all things exist. If man were + conscious of his own greatness, he would know that within himself exist + the sun and the moon and the starry sky and every object in space, because + his true self is God; and God is without limits.” + </p> + <p> + “These thoughts are utterly beyond me,” said Paul uneasily. + </p> + <p> + “As I told you they would be,” replied Ah Ben, turning his chair and + looking at his pupil with a kindly expression; and then, with his usual + earnestness, he added: “But they will not be so always.” + </p> + <p> + “And you tell me that these things are actually as real as the furniture + in Guir House?” inquired Henley. + </p> + <p> + “Quite!” answered the guide. “Test them for yourself. Do you not see this + magnificent dome above our heads, supported upon these wonderful pillars? + Try them, touch them, strike them with your hand. Are they not solid? + Apply every test in your power to their reality; they will not fail you in + one—and, let me ask, what further evidence have you of the furniture + of which you speak? Thought is real; and the man who can hold to his + thought long enough endows it with objectivity.” + </p> + <p> + “It is a mystery involving mysteries,” sighed Paul; “and I could never + even ask the questions that are crowding into my mind.” + </p> + <p> + “So it is with all life,” the old man replied thoughtfully, pressing his + hand against his forehead as he gazed into the brilliant scene without + seeming to look at anything especial; “and so it is with all life,” he + repeated in a minute; “it is a mystery involving mysteries! What are + dreams? Give them a little more intensity, as in the case of the + somnambule or clairvoyant, and they are real. The trouble is, Mr. Henley, + that few of us ever come to realize that life itself is a dream; and when + science recognizes that fact, many of the difficulties she now encounters + will vanish. Let me repeat a few lines from the Song Celestial, or <i>Bhagavad + Gita</i>. + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “Never the spirit was born; the spirit shall cease to be never; + Never was time it was not; end and beginning are dreams, + Birthless and deathless and changeless remaineth the spirit forever; + Death has not touched it at all, dead though the house of it seems. +</pre> + <p> + “These thoughts are better understood in the East,” continued Ah Ben, + “where the people give less time to <i>religion</i> and more to the <i>philosophy</i> + of life. And what are dreams but a part of our inner existence? None the + less mysterious because we are so familiar with them. There are numerous + authenticated records of dreams that have carried a man through an + apparently long life, but which have really occupied less than a second of + time as counted with us; through all the minutiae and details of youth, + courtship, marriage, a military career, war with all its horrors, the + details of the last battle where death was inevitable, and where the last + shot was fired and heard that brought the great change—of <i>awakening</i>, + and the sudden perception that the entire phantasmagoria had been caused + by the slamming of the door, which the exhausted sleeper had only that + second opened as he dropped into a chair beside it. The facts in this case + are proven; no perceptible time having elapsed. Time—time is + nothing. Time is only what we make it. An hour in a dungeon might be an + eternity, while a million years in the Levachan of the Hindoo would seem + but a summer's day.” + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0008" id="link2H_4_0008"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 8 + </h2> + <p> + Continuing their walk, they followed an avenue of dazzling beauty, which + led to a green hill overlooking the town, upon which stood a temple of + transcendent splendor. The sunlight flashed upon its marble walls and <i>chevaux + de frise</i> of minarets. Paul was filled with amazement, and demanded an + explanation. + </p> + <p> + “Let us climb the hill and see for ourselves,” answered his guide, leading + the way. + </p> + <p> + Crowds of people passed in and out through the open portals of the temple; + and when sufficiently near, Paul read the inscription above the principal + entrance: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + “<i>In Commemoration of the Birth of Human Liberty</i>.” + </pre> + <p> + “I am as puzzled as ever,” he declared, with a look of resignation. “It is + the most stupendous and remarkable edifice I ever beheld!” + </p> + <p> + They passed up by a marble terrace and entered the building through an + archway so wide and lofty that it might have spanned many ordinary houses. + Windows of jeweled glass scattered a thousand tints over walls and columns + of barbaric splendor, where encrusted gems of every hue, scintillating + with strange fires, were grouped in dazzling mosaics portraying historic + scenes in endless pageant. It was a miracle of art and trembling + iridescence. White pillars, set with jewels, rose and branched above their + heads like the spreading boughs of gigantic trees. The throng of humanity + surged hither and thither, and yet so vast was the nave of the temple that + nowhere was it crowded. Paul clung closely to his comrade's arm, fearful + lest his only friend in this strange world should be lost to him. On they + walked; Ah Ben having an air of long familiarity with the scene, while + Paul was dazed and bewildered. Occasionally they would stop to examine + some object of special interest or to take in with comprehensive view the + marvels surrounding them. But the temple was too grand, too glorious for a + hasty appreciation of its wonders. + </p> + <p> + Entering an elevator, they ascended to the roof and stepped out upon a + mosaic pavement of transparent tiles. Looking over the parapet, they + beheld a country of vast extent, where field, forest, and watercourse + combined in a landscape of rare beauty. Beneath lay the marble city with + its palaces, parks, and fountains. In the distance were shadowy hills and + gleaming lights; and above, a sky whose singular purity was reflected over + all. The height was great, but the roof so extensive that it seemed more + like some elevated plateau than a part of a building. A multitude of + spires rose upon every side like inverted icicles, and Paul was amazed to + discover an inscription at the base of each. + </p> + <p> + “I have a distinct impression of the meaning,” he said, looking up at his + guide; “but how, I can not tell.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the old man solemnly, “you now perceive that this + stupendous temple commemorates the birth of liberty, or the death of + superstitions, and the consequent liberation of the human mind from the + slavery of false belief. The temple itself is a monument to the whole, + while each minaret commemorates the downfall of some scientific dogma, and + the consequent release of the human mind from its thralldom. The limit of + man's power over his environment has been extended again and again; and + even in your day, Mr. Henley, you have witnessed such marvelous advances + as have adduced the aphorism, that this is an age of miracles. We speak + from one end of the continent to the other. We sit in New York and sign + our name to a check in Chicago. We reproduce a horse race or any athletic + sport just as it occurred with every movement to the slightest detail, so + that all men can see it in any part of the world at any time quite as well + as if present at the original performance. We photograph our thoughts and + those of our friends. We reproduce the voices of the departed. We commune + with each other without the intervention of wires. We have lately pictured + the human soul in its various phases. We see plainly through iron plates + many inches in thickness, and look directly into the human body. Our food + and precious stones are made in the laboratory, and a syndicate of + scientists has recently been formed for the transmutation of the baser + metals into gold. When man can produce food, clothing, and all the + precious metals at will; when he can see what is occurring at a distance + without the necessity of lugging about a cumbersome piece of machinery + like his body—when all these and many other discoveries have been + brought to perfection, the farmer and manufacturer may cease their labors. + The necessity for war will no longer exist, as the righting of wrongs, the + acquisition of territory, and the payment of debt will not demand it. But + all these things and many more, Mr. Henley, will be brought to perfection + before the liberation of man shall have been effected, which will be when + he comes to understand that, with proper training and the ultimate + development of self-control, there is no limit to his power. As I have + told you before, self-control is the secret of all power. The day is not + distant when the dogmas of science will be set aside for the spirit of + philosophic inquiry. Then men will no longer say that they have reached + the goal of human capacity or that they can not usurp the prerogative of + the gods, for it will be known that we are all gods!” + </p> + <p> + Later they descended to the ground and passed into the superb public + gardens of the city. Seating themselves beside one of the numerous + fountains sparkling with colored waters and perfumed with strange aquatic + plants, they watched the brilliant scene that surrounded them. Aerial + chariots flashed above, and men, women, and children moved through the air + entirely regardless of the law of gravitation. Occasionally a passer-by + would nod to Ah Ben, who returned the salute familiarly, as if in + recognition of an old friend; but no one stopped to talk. + </p> + <p> + “And you know some of these people!” cried Paul in astonishment. + </p> + <p> + “Some of them.” But a look of intense sadness had settled upon the old + man's face, quite different from anything Henley had seen. For a moment + neither spoke, and then Ah Ben, passing the back of his hand across his + forehead, said: “Yes, Mr. Henley, I know them, but I am not of them; and + as you see, they shun me.” + </p> + <p> + “I can not understand why that should be,” answered Paul, who was + conscious of a growing attachment for his guide. + </p> + <p> + “I can not explain; but some day, perhaps, you may know. Let us continue + our walk.” + </p> + <p> + Looking up at the marvelous examples of architecture that surrounded them, + Paul observed that many of the houses had no windows, and inquired the + reason. + </p> + <p> + “Windows and doors are here only a matter of taste, and not of necessity,” + answered the elder man; “the denizens of Levachan enter their houses + wherever they please without experiencing the slightest obstruction. + Likewise light and air are not here confined to special material and + apertures for their admission. We are only just beginning to discover some + of the possibilities of matter upon our plane of existence. Here these + things are understood; for matter and spirit are one, their apparent + difference lying in us.” + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Paul, “and I perceive that the inhabitants move from place to + place through the upper atmosphere in defiance of all law!” + </p> + <p> + “Law, Mr. Henley, is the operation of man's will. Where man through + uncounted eons of time has believed himself the slave of matter, it + becomes his master. I mean that the belief enslaves him, and not until he + has worked his way out of the false belief, will he become free.” + </p> + <p> + They continued their walk through gardens of bewitching beauty, and amid + lights so far transcending any previous experience of Henley's that he no + longer even tried to comprehend Ah Ben's labored explanations. At last his + guide, turning, abruptly said: + </p> + <p> + “Come, let us return; the time is growing short!” + </p> + <p> + “Time!” said Henley, with an amused expression. “I thought you told me + that time was only a mental condition!” + </p> + <p> + “True, I did,” said Ah Ben, with a return of the same inexpressibly sad + look; “but did I tell you that it had ceased to belong to me?” + </p> + <p> + There was no intimation of reproof, no endeavor to evade the remark; but + Paul could not but observe the change in the man's manner as they retraced + their steps. Indeed, he was conscious of an overpowering sadness himself, + as he turned his back upon the strange scene. + </p> + <p> + “Come!” said Ah Ben, with authority, leading the way. + </p> + <p> + They passed up the grand stairway to the terrace, entering the room at the + same window by which they had left it, and Ah Ben closed the sash and drew + the curtains behind them. + </p> + <p> + A moment later Paul went to the window and looked out. There was an old + moon, and the forest beneath lay bathed in its mellow light. The sudden + transition to his former state was no less astounding than the first. + </p> + <p> + “Which, think you, is the most real,” asked the old man, “the scene before + us now, or the one we have left behind?” + </p> + <p> + Paul could not answer. He was revolving in his mind the marvels he had + just witnessed. He could not understand how hypnotism could have created + such a world as he had just beheld. It was not a whit less tangible, + visible, or audible than that in which he had always lived, and he could + not help looking upon Ah Ben as a creature far removed from his own sphere + of life. How had the man acquired such powers? These and other thoughts + were rushing through his mind. Presently his host touched him lightly upon + the shoulder, and said: + </p> + <p> + “Come, let us descend into the hall again, and finish our pipes.” + </p> + <p> + And so they wandered back through the silent house to the old pew by the + fire; and Ah Ben, stirring up the embers and adding fresh fuel, said: + </p> + <p> + “Although it is late, Mr. Henley, I do not feel inclined for bed; and if + you are of the same mind, should be glad of your company.” + </p> + <p> + Paul was glad of an excuse to sit up, and so settled himself upon the + sofa, absorbed in meditation. The firelight flickered over their faces and + the strange pictures on the wall, and the head of Tsong Kapa shone more + plainly than ever before. The portraits on the stairs were as weird and + incomprehensible as they had appeared on the first night of his arrival; + and the old man and the girl, and their strange life, seemed even more + deeply involved in mystery than they had upon that occasion. Paul was now + beset with conflicting emotions. The gloom of the house was more + oppressive than before; and were it not for his sudden and unaccountable + affection for Dorothy, he might have left it at once, had it not again + been for the vision of splendor and happiness just faded from his sight. + He could not bear the thought of losing forever the sensation of life and + power and ecstasy just beginning to dawn upon him, when so cruelly + snatched away; and but for Ah Ben he knew he should hope in vain for its + return. Naturally, his emotions were strong and tearing him in opposite + directions. The old man perceiving the depression of spirits into which + his guest had fallen, reminded him gently of his warning regarding the + shock of occult manifestation to those who were unprepared. + </p> + <p> + “It is not that so much,” answered Paul, “as the regret I feel at having + left it all behind. When a man has only just begun to experience the + sensation of life—<i>of real life</i>—to find himself suddenly + plunged back into a dungeon with chains upon his shoulders, you must admit + the shock is terrible.” + </p> + <p> + “Do I not know it?” answered the old man feelingly. “The return is far + more to be dreaded than the escape into that life which you were at first + inclined to call unreal; and yet, Mr. Henley, you must admit that it is + difficult to decide the question of reality between the two worlds.” + </p> + <p> + “True,” answered Paul; “and yet I know that what I have just seen can be + nothing else than a hypnotic vision; it is impossible it should be + otherwise, for it has gone—and beyond my power to recall. What + amazes me to the point of stupefaction is the marvelous impression of + truth with which hypnotism can fill one. I had always imagined the effect + was more in the nature of a dream, but this was vivid, sharp, and perfect + as the everyday life about me. I am more bewildered than I have words to + express.” + </p> + <p> + “And yet,” answered Ah Ben, “you still insist that the things you saw were + unreal, because, as you say, they were the result of hypnotism. It seems + difficult to convince you of what I have already told you, that hypnotism + is not a cause of hallucination, but of fact. You insist that because the + minority of men only are subjected to hypnotic tests, the impressions + produced must be false. You will not admit that a minority has any claim + to a hearing, although their evidence is based upon precisely the same + testimony as that of the majority—namely, the five senses. You have + no better right to assume that your present surroundings are any more + truthfully reported by your senses than those of your recent experience. + You see, you hear and touch; did you not do the same in Levachan?” + </p> + <p> + “I did, indeed,” answered Paul, “and with a clearness that makes it the + more difficult to comprehend; still, of course, I know that the vision of + Levachan was a deception, while this is real!” + </p> + <p> + “And because you are convinced that a majority of men would see this as + you see it. What if it should be proved that you are wrong?” + </p> + <p> + “That would be impossible,” answered Paul. + </p> + <p> + “You think so, indeed,” answered the old man with a strange look in his + eyes; “and yet, if you will look above you and about you, you will see for + the first time the way in which this old house looks to the great majority + of mankind—indeed, to such a vast majority, Mr. Henley—that + your individual testimony to the contrary would be regarded as the ravings + of a madman. Look!” + </p> + <p> + Paul lifted his eyes. The roof was gone, and the stars shone down upon him + through the open space. About him were rough walls of crumbling stone, + rapidly falling to decay; there were no pictures, there were no stairs + with their uncanny portraits, there was no great open fire-place with the + blazing logs, nor hanging lamp, nor cheery pew—all—all was + gone—and nothing but ruin and decay remained, save some bunches of + ivy which had climbed above the edge of the tottering wall, outlined dimly + in the moonlight. The floor had rotted away, and dank grass and bushes and + heaps of stone had filled its place. A pool of water in a distant corner + reflected the sky and a star or two, and the dismal croaking of a frog was + the only sound he heard. Through the open casements wild vines and stunted + trees had thrust their boughs, and beyond were the pines and hemlocks. + Paul stood erect, and stared around him in blank amazement. Where was Ah + Ben? He too had departed with the rest. Dazed and wondering, Henley + sauntered toward the door, or rather to where the door had once stood, now + only an open portal of crumbling stone, from the crevices of which grew + bushes and a tangled network of vines. Climbing down over a mass of fallen + bricks, he wandered out into the grounds. The lawn was buried beneath a + confused jumble of rubbish and weeds, and the forest encroached upon its + rights. The graveled road was no longer visible, wild grass, moss, and + piles of fallen stone having covered it far below. As he looked above, the + moon shone through the casement of a ruined window, and an owl hooted + dismally from the open belfry. The old house was a wreck, a tottering + ruin, from whatever point he looked; and no room above or below seemed + habitable. He walked around to see if the blank wall which guarded the + secret chamber was still intact. Yes, there it was; it alone remained + untouched by the ravages of time or war. The portraits and human remains + were probably safe in their hiding place, and Paul shuddered at the + thought. What hand had bound them up in that strange old corner to be hid + forever from the eyes of men? He had heard no human word, nor was there + apparently any shelter where man or woman could live. Presently amid the + deep shadows of the forest something moved. It came nearer, and then from + beneath the trees walked out into the moonlight. Paul started; but at the + same moment a familiar voice spoke to him. It was Ah Ben's. + </p> + <p> + “Do not let what you see alarm you, Mr. Henley, for it is the first time + in which you have perceived Guir House in what you would call its normal + state. As you now behold it, the majority of men would see it.” + </p> + <p> + “Then I have been duped ever since my arrival!” exclaimed Paul in a + slightly irritated tone. + </p> + <p> + “Not at all,” answered the elder man complacently. “I have simply + presented the house to you as it stood a hundred years ago. The impression + you have had of it is quite as truthful as the one now before you. Indeed, + it is as truthful as the view you now have of yonder star,” he pointed to + a twinkling luminary in the north; “for time has put out its fires more + than a thousand years ago, so that you now behold it as it then was, and + not as it is to-night.” + </p> + <p> + “This hypnotism of yours is quite undoing me,” answered Paul, passing his + hand across his eyes. + </p> + <p> + “And yet what you now behold is not hypnotism at all, but fact, as the + world would call it. It is what the vast majority of all men would see if + here to-night. But I perceive that it is troubling you. Let us return to + our old place by the fire, and the house as it was a century ago. In that + state of the past I think you will find more comfort than in the + melancholy ruin before us.” + </p> + <p> + They climbed back over the fallen piles of bricks, stone, and mortar; and + then Ah Ben lifted his withered hand, and touching Henley lightly upon the + forehead, said: + </p> + <p> + “And now we are back in our old seats, just as they used to be in the days + of yore!” + </p> + <p> + Paul looked about him. The fire was burning brightly. The pictures had + been restored to their places on the walls. The old lamp and the strangely + decorated staircase were all restored, just as he had left them a few + minutes before. He gazed long and earnestly at the scene around him, and + then fixing his eyes upon Ah Ben, helplessly, said: + </p> + <p> + “If then I am to understand that this is no longer real, but that the old + ruin just beheld is the existing fact, might I ask in what part of the + wreck you and Miss Guir have been able to fix your abode, for I saw + nothing but crumbling walls—a roofless ruin?” + </p> + <p> + “The question you ask involves a story, and if you care to listen I will + tell it to you, although the hour is late and the night far gone.” + </p> + <p> + “I should enjoy nothing more,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + And the men filled and lighted their pipes, and Henley listened while Ah + Ben told him the following: + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0009" id="link2H_4_0009"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 9 + </h2> + <p> + “In the early settlement of this State, an Englishman by the name of Guir + pre-empted a large body of land, near the center of which he erected this + house. Although his intention in coming from the old country was to make + his permanent home in the colony, his reasons for doing so were quite + different from those which usually induce immigration. Guir was an artist, + and a man of some means; and his object in colonizing was not so much to + cultivate the soil, or to trade with the Indians, or engage in any + business enterprise, as to gratify a craving for nature and surround + himself with such scenery as he loved to paint. It would be folly to + pretend that Guir was a man of ordinary tastes and disposition; for had he + been such, he would never have undertaken a journey, with a family of + girls, into such a wilderness as Virginia was at that time. No; from the + very circumstances of his birth and education, he was unfitted to live + with his countrymen; hence his early adoption of the colony as a home for + himself, wife, and daughters. This happened a hundred and fifty years + ago.” + </p> + <p> + “He was an ancestor of yours, I presume,” said Paul, hoping to gain some + clew to the man's identity. + </p> + <p> + “No,” answered Ah Ben, “he was not.” + </p> + <p> + “Pardon the interruption,” added Paul, fearing he had annoyed the speaker. + </p> + <p> + “Naturally, in a country without roads, or even wagon trails,” continued + the old man, without noticing the apology, “it was years before a house of + this size could be completed, as every brick and nearly every stick of + timber was brought from England. These, of course, were conveyed by water + as far as the rivers permitted, the rest of the journey being performed + upon sleds drawn by oxen. But it was Guir's hobby, and in the course of a + dozen or fifteen years the job was completed, and the house stood as you + see it now. Then the owner set himself to work with brush, canvas, and + chisel to decorate his home, and make it, according to his ideas, as + beautiful and suggestive of his early youth as imaginable. With his own + hands, Mr. Henley, he painted most of these pictures, although his three + daughters, inheriting his tastes, assisted him. And thus, as the years + rolled by, Guir House became more and more a museum of artistic efforts, + embracing many unusual subjects, and in every degree of perfection. The + broad acres of the estate produced much that was necessary toward the + maintenance of life, and what they lacked was supplied once a year from a + distant settlement near the coast. As you can readily understand, there + were no neighbors, and but occasional visits from the red man, who looked + distrustfully upon the pale-face. This feeling became mutual, and trifling + acts of hostility on the part of the natives grew both in frequency and + magnitude. Depredations upon Guir's fields and cattle were at first + ignored, in the effort to maintain peace, but in time it became necessary + to resist them. Upon one occasion, a raid upon a distant field was + successfully repulsed, with the aid of his wife and three daughters, + attired in men's clothing and mounted upon fast horses. The Indians were + so completely surprised by the ruse, being apparently attacked by five + men, where they had believed there was only one, that they fled, + completely routed, nor did they return for several years. Meanwhile, + fearing another and closer attack, Guir converted one of the lower rooms + of his house into an impenetrable and unassailable place of refuge. The + windows were walled up, to correspond with the stonework of the house, + leaving no suspicion of there having been once an opening. Likewise the + doors were treated, and then carefully plastered both within and without, + with the exception of one, which he made anew, to communicate with a + private stairway leading from one of the upper bedrooms. This was the only + entrance to the dark retreat, and a heavy bolt was placed upon the inside, + to be used by the family in case of attack. There was no reason to suppose + that a marauding party would ever find the way to this secret chamber, as + the entrance was carefully covered by a scuttle in the floor of a dark + closet; and the place being thoroughly fire-proof, the family felt + unusually secure in the possession of their new retreat.” + </p> + <p> + “I think I have seen the stairway you speak of,” said Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” answered the old man, “it communicates with the closet of your + room. + </p> + <p> + “One day Guir had left his home. He had ridden alone into the distant + hills to dispute the range for some cattle with his natural enemy, the red + man. The pow-wow had been long and trying, and it was only with the + setting sun that he had come to a proper understanding, as he supposed, + with the ugly chief who dominated the region about. + </p> + <p> + “It was midnight when he reached his home. He pounded sharply on the door; + but his good wife, who never retired without him, failed to answer the + summons. So, after repeated knocks, Guir forced the door and entered. All + was dark. An unearthly stillness pervaded the air, and a horrid suspicion + forced itself upon him while groping his way forward to secure a light. + Finding the chimney, he raked together a few coals, which he blew into a + flame, and then, with trembling hands, lighted the candle upon the shelf + above. Looking about him, Guir's heart sank. His house had been wrecked. + His pictures, the work of years, were scattered in fragments about the + floor. The windows were smashed, and the hall starred with broken glass. + Not an ornament, not a treasure remained intact. But this he knew was as + nothing to the horrible sight which he expected momentarily to greet his + eyes. He called aloud to each member of his family, in the failing hope + that some one would answer; but no sound broke the awful stillness. + Suddenly he bethought him of the secret chamber, and with a wild prayer + that his loved ones had been able to reach it in safety, and were still in + hiding there, he started down the narrow stairs in search. Reaching the + bottom, he found that the door had been wrenched from its hinges and + thrown to the ground; and then Guir's heart sank, never to rise again. + Stepping across the threshold of the room, candle in hand, a vision of + blood swam before his eyes, and the dimly-burning light revealed the + horror-stricken faces of his murdered family. Not one was left to tell the + tale, but the story pictured before him was unmistakable in every detail. + The treacherous natives had first tortured and then butchered them. For a + time he stood transfixed with horror, unable to remove his eyes from the + awful scene, or his feet from the spot where he had first beheld it; then, + with the cry of sudden madness, he threw himself beside the bleeding + corpses and lost all consciousness. How long he remained there was + problematical, but on awaking Guir was still in the dark, and where he had + fallen. At that moment a strange and overpowering desire seized him. He + must paint the portraits of his murdered family before it became too late. + Had he been sane, such a ghastly thought would never have possessed him; + but Guir was crazed, and for days and nights following he worked in that + dismal vault, by the light of a smoking lamp, at the task he had set + himself, his fired imagination even intensifying the horrors of the + grewsome tableau. + </p> + <p> + “Upon each canvas he depicted the awful countenance which fact and fancy + had imprinted upon his brain. Guir painted not only what he saw, but what + he imagined he saw—dreadful faces, loaded with torture and despair. + When completed, he hung them upon the walls of the room, and then with his + own hands bricked up the entrance from within, having first carefully + replaced and bolted the door. When Guir had thus entombed himself, he lay + down again upon the floor, and then, still a madman, opened a vein in his + wrist. The letting of blood may have sobered him or restored his mental + equilibrium; for suddenly, with a wild change in his feelings, he bounded + to his feet and repented. Again he was in darkness, and could not guess + how much time had elapsed since his fatal act. Staggering to the closed + doorway, he endeavored to tear away the bricks he had so recently placed + there, but the mortar was hardening fast, and he was unable to find his + trowel. Groping frantically along the floor, he searched in vain for some + tool to open the vault in which he was buried, and then, with the anguish + of despair, dropped again upon the ground to await his fate. Thus Guir + died, in an agony of remorse, and with the intensest desire to live.” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben stopped suddenly, and fixed his eyes upon Henley, as if trying to + read his thoughts. + </p> + <p> + “There is one thing in that story that strikes me as very peculiar,” + observed Paul, returning his host's look with interest. + </p> + <p> + “And what is that?” answered the old man, his eyes still fixed on Henley's + face. + </p> + <p> + “The fact that you are able to repeat with such circumstantial detail the + feelings and actions of a man who died under such peculiar conditions, and + quite alone.” + </p> + <p> + “It might indeed appear strange to you, Mr. Henley, but my familiarity + with the case enables me to speak with knowledge and accuracy.” + </p> + <p> + “And would you mind telling me how that is possible?” inquired Paul. + </p> + <p> + “<i>Because I am the man Guir himself; and I have lived on through such + ages of agony that I have no longer the will or desire to appear other + than as the ancient wreck before you</i>.” + </p> + <p> + Paul started. + </p> + <p> + “Do you mean to tell me then that I am talking to a ghost?” he cried in + dismay. + </p> + <p> + “As you please, Mr. Henley; but ghosts are not so different from ordinary + people—that is, when they have become materialized. I have just now + shown you the real condition of this old house, or rather the way in which + the majority of men see it. I do not hesitate, therefore, to show you the + ghost that haunts it; nor do I object to explaining the dreadful cause of + the haunting, or a little of the philosophy of hauntings in general.” + </p> + <p> + Paul looked aghast. Easy enough was it now to comprehend how the man had + talked so familiarly of death and the next life after having actually + crossed the threshold and passed into the realm of experience. But there + was something too real, too natural about this personality to accept the + remark as literal. Familiarity with Ah Ben had shown him to be a man. Paul + felt sure of it. And yet here were revealed mysteries never dreamed of; + one of which was even now producing an occult spell. Henley drew a deep + breath in agony of spirit. + </p> + <p> + After a moment's pause, the old man continued: + </p> + <p> + “Ghosts, Mr. Henley, are as real as you; and when a spirit returns to + earth in visible form, it is the result of some disquieting influence + immediately before the death of the body, or, as I might say, previous to + the new life. At the hour of physical birth, such influences cause idiocy + or such imperfection of the bodily functions that death ensues, and the + spirit returns to seek another entrance into the world of matter. When a + man dies dominated by some intense earthly desire, his mind is barred + against the higher powers and greater possibilities of spirit; his whole + nature is closed against their reception, so that he perceives and hopes + for nothing save the continuance of that life which has so completely + filled his nature. His old environment overpowers the new by the very + force of his will; and if this continues, he becomes not only a haunting + spirit, but a materialized one, visible to certain people under certain + conditions, and compelled to live out his life amid the scenes which had + so attracted him. This, Mr. Henley, has been my case. I shall live upon + earth, and be visible to the spiritually susceptible, until the strong + impression made at the hour of death shall have worn away.” + </p> + <p> + “And the young lady, is she your daughter?” inquired Paul. + </p> + <p> + “She is my daughter,” answered the old man solemnly. + </p> + <p> + “How comes it, then, that she addresses you by so singular a name?” + </p> + <p> + “It is the one she first learned to use in infancy. As I partially + explained to you, my mother was a Hindoo, while my father was English. The + name Ah Ben belongs to the maternal side of my family.” + </p> + <p> + “Another question—more vital than any I have yet asked, because it + concerns my own well-being and happiness,” continued Paul; “how is it + possible that Dorothy can live in a place like this with a being who is + only semi-material? + </p> + <p> + “Because her nature is double, as is mine,” answered the old man. + “Dorothy, like her sisters and mother, passed out of this life more than a + hundred and fifty years ago.” + </p> + <p> + “And did the same causes operate to bring her back to earth?” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben became more serious than ever as he answered: “You have touched + upon the sorest point of all, and one which requires further elucidation. + Sudden and unnatural death has a retarding tendency upon the spirit's + progress; but where one has caused his own destruction, the evil resulting + is incalculable. I was a suicide; and ten thousand times over had I better + have borne all the ills that earth could heap upon me, than have stooped + to such folly. For in what has it resulted? A prolonged mental agony, such + as you can never conceive; for I have no home in heaven nor earth, but am + forced to wander amid the shadows of each world, unrecognized by those + either above or below me. Here I am shunned upon every hand, and, as you + saw for yourself, I was equally avoided in Levachan. But that is not all; + in the ignorance and selfishness of my grief, I yearned for my lost ones + with a solicitude, a consuming fierceness and power of will which insanity + only can equal. By nature I was intense; and even had I not committed the + fatal act, my vitality would have burned itself away with the awful + concentration of feeling. But it must be remembered that I was not the + only sufferer from this pitiful lack of self-control. The stronger desires + and emotions of the living influence the dead—I use the words in + their common acceptation for the sake of convenience—and here is + where I caused such incalculable injury to my own child; for Dorothy, + having entered the spirit world with inferior powers of resistance, fell + under the spell I had wrought, and joined me in the haunting of this old + house. Here, Mr. Henley, am I, a suicide, justly deserving the punishment + I receive; but there is my child, as innocent as the air of heaven, forced + to suffer with me, and it is no small part of my chastisement to realize + this fact. People fly from us as they would from pestilence, both in this + world and the other, although many of the dwellers in the higher state, + from their greater knowledge and loftier development, simply avoid us. And + we can not criticise their action in either world, for we are not adapted + to either state. We are outcasts.” + </p> + <p> + Ah Ben paused for a moment, and then became deeply impressive, as he + added: + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Henley, let the experience of one who has suffered, and who will + continue to suffer more than you can possibly understand—let his + experience, I say, warn you against the unreasonable yearning for the + return of those who have passed on to their spiritual state! Here our eyes + are blinded to the blessedness to come, and it is well it is so; for, were + it otherwise, the discipline of earth life would be lost, as too monstrous + to be endured. No man could submit to the restraints of matter, with the + power and freedom of spirit in sight. If once I could have realized the + dreadful results entailed upon what I had lost, by my effort to recover + it, I would have known that the blackest curse would have been trifling by + contrast. Let the dead rest! and let one who knows persuade you that their + entrance into spirit life is a time rather for rejoicing than regret!” + </p> + <p> + “And is Dorothy to suffer as you have suffered, for what was no fault of + hers?” demanded Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Yes,” said Ah Ben; “the law of Karma is the law of nature and the law of + God; and while ordinarily she would have passed safely on in the + possession of her new-born powers, the pitfall which I blindly laid beset + her unwary feet, and she fell. There is but one course open; but one way + in which Dorothy can reach either heaven or earth, by a shorter road than + that which I am compelled to travel. It is simple, and yet one which, + under the circumstances, is almost impossible to achieve; and this from + the fact that it requires the cooperation of a human being.” + </p> + <p> + “I should imagine that any one with the ordinary feelings of humanity + would gladly do what he could to assist such an unhappy fellow-creature!” + exclaimed Paul. + </p> + <p> + “But she is not a fellow-creature,” urged the old man. + </p> + <p> + “True, but I understood you to say that she might become one with the + cooperation of a human being.” + </p> + <p> + “I did,” Ah Ben replied; “but where is that to be found?” + </p> + <p> + “Not knowing the nature of the task, it would be difficult to say,” + answered Paul, “but I will adhere to my first proposition, that one with + the ordinary feelings of humanity would gladly do what he could.” + </p> + <p> + “Mr. Henley, have you the ordinary feelings of humanity?” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” answered Paul. + </p> + <p> + “Would you be willing to marry a ghost, and be haunted for the rest of + your life; for the ghost would be sure to outlive you?” + </p> + <p> + Paul started. + </p> + <p> + “I have put the case too strongly,” continued Ah Ben; “Dorothy is not a + ghost in the ordinary sense. She is a materialized spirit, and that, my + dear friend, is exactly what you are, with this difference: you have + practically no control over your body; while she, having returned from the + summer land abnormally, can, like myself, become invisible at will; but, + upon the other hand, she is not always visible, even to those whom she + would like to have see her. In short, as I have told you before, we belong + to neither one world nor the other. But through union with a human + creature, Dorothy can once more assume the functions of mortality, and + after another period of earth life, become fitted again for the land of + spirits.” + </p> + <p> + “I understand you entirely,” answered Paul, “and can say, without + hesitation or reservation, that I love your daughter, and, be she whom or + what she may, will gladly marry her, if she can say as much for me.” + </p> + <p> + “I thought I could not be mistaken in my man,” answered Ah Ben. “I have + believed in your frankness, honor, and courage from the beginning; and + although you came to this house with the intention of deceit, I feel sure + that in the more serious situations of life you are to be relied upon. You + have spoken to Dorothy, Mr. Henley, and I am confident she shares my trust + in you.” + </p> + <p> + “I hope so,” answered Paul. + </p> + <p> + “I know it,” the old man replied; “and let me tell you further that this + match is not one subservient to the ends of utility or profit; for, were + such the motive, the very end would be defeated. Dorothy must love the man + she marries, with all her heart and soul; and you can readily understand, + ostracized as we are, how difficult it has been to find such a one. For + more than a century we have sought in vain, and I have pressed every + opportunity and strained every power to bring about such a meeting and + such a result as I trust will shortly follow; but the world has given us + no chance, and those few who have been able to see us have only fled in + terror!” + </p> + <p> + “Am I at liberty, then, to prove my devotion to your daughter by asking + her to marry me?” + </p> + <p> + “You have already done so,” replied Ah Ben, “and I have already given my + consent; but I warn you, Mr. Henley, that in your intercourse with my + daughter you should remember that you are dealing with a nature far more + intense, and with far greater capacity to love, than any you have ever + known. While the most fervid desire of Dorothy's life has doubtless been + to meet some creature with whom she might affiliate, I believe she would + forego even that happiness if convinced that it would prove disastrous to + the object of her affection.” + </p> + <p> + Paul extended his hands to Ah Ben, who took them with fervor. “Dear old + man!” he said, “although I am speaking to a ghost, I am not afraid of you; + and knowing how much you have suffered, it shall be my aim to help and + comfort you; for have you not shown me how close is the other world, and + so in a measure removed the dread of death? How truly do I feel that those + who have left us may be close around us, although we can not see them.” + </p> + <p> + And then, with a new light on all that surrounded him, Paul bade Ah Ben + good-night, and went to his room. + </p> + <p> + <br /><br /> + </p> + <hr /> + <p> + <a name="link2H_4_0010" id="link2H_4_0010"> </a> + </p> + <div style="height: 4em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + <h2> + 10 + </h2> + <p> + The following morning, Mr. Henley was puzzled, in thinking over the + conversation of the previous night, to remember that he had not been + alarmed at the revelations which Ah Ben had made. The things he had seen + and the words he had heard were amazing, but they had not terrified him; + and when he recalled the easy and natural manner in which he had talked, + he attributed the fact to the same mental change whereby he had perceived + the visions. + </p> + <p> + The breakfast room was deserted, neither Dorothy nor Ah Ben being present; + and so Paul partook of the meal alone, which he found prepared as usual. + He lingered over his second cup of tea in the hope that the young lady + would join him; but after loitering quite beyond the usual hour, he + sauntered out into the garden, trusting to find her there. But Dorothy was + nowhere to be seen, and Henley sank dejectedly into the old rustic bench + to await her coming. + </p> + <p> + An hour passed, but no token of a human being was in evidence; not even + the voice nor the footstep of a servant had been heard, and Paul sat + consuming cigarettes at a rate that showed clearly his impatience. At last + he returned to the house, and going to his room took pen and paper and + wrote, in a large hand: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + Will Miss Guir kindly let me know at what hour I may see her? + I shall await her answer in the garden. + + PAUL HENLEY. +</pre> + <p> + Not being able to find a servant, he took this downstairs and suspended it + from the hanging lamp by a thread, and then returned to the garden to + tramp up and down the neglected paths, between the boxwood bushes, and to + burn more cigarettes. He had not the slightest hope of finding Ah Ben, as + that individual never put in an appearance until the day was far spent—in + fact, not generally until after the shadows of evening were well advanced; + and the only servant he had seen was the dumb boy alluded to, and even he + had only appeared occasionally. Clearly there was nothing to do but wait. + But waiting brought neither Dorothy nor Ah Ben, and Paul began to wonder + seriously where his hosts could have taken themselves. The time wore on, + and the shadow of a tall fir showed that the hour of noon had passed. Had + he been left in sole possession of this old mansion, whose history was so + amazing, and yet whose very existence appeared mythical? He wandered back + into the house, and passing through the hall, stopped suddenly. His note + was gone. Surely it had been taken, for it could not have fallen. + Examining the lamp, Henley saw that a short end of the thread was hanging, + indicating that it had been broken and the note carried away. Some one had + passed through the building since he had left it. Could it have been the + girl? and if so, why had she avoided him? One thing appeared certain; she + would know where to expect his letters, and he would now write another. In + twenty minutes he had prepared the following, which, having sealed, he + again suspended from the lamp in the hall: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + DEAREST GIRL—I have waited all the morning to see you, and am + growing fearfully impatient. Is it business or pleasure that keeps + you away? Why not tell me frankly just what it is, as I can not + bear to think that I am avoided from indifference, or because you + are getting tired of me. Have I outstayed my welcome at Guir House? + I entreat you to give me an answer and an interview, as I am so + lonely without you; just how lonely I will tell you when we meet. + + PAUL. +</pre> + <p> + Having left this dangling from the same thread, he went out for a walk; + and thinking it possible that he might meet Ah Ben in the forest, went in + that direction. + </p> + <p> + The leaves were now falling rapidly, and the clear sky was visible through + the bare limbs above; and the open spaces were beginning to give the woods + quite a wintry aspect. Guir House was visible from a greater distance than + he had ever seen it, and Paul sat down upon a fallen log to take in the + picture of the quaint old mansion, buried in the depths of a trackless, + almost impenetrable forest. He sang a verse of a familiar song in a loud + voice, with the hope of attracting attention, but the distant echo of the + last words was the only response that he got. Then he threw himself upon + the ground and whistled and smoked alternately, his anxiety constantly + growing; but the gentle sighing of the wind in the tree tops, and the + uncertain rustling of the leaves, were but poor comfort. Was this to be + the end of his strange visit? Was he to start back upon his homeward + journey without an opportunity to bid his phenomenal hosts good-bye? He + could not bear the thought. Dorothy at all events must be found. He would + search the grounds and ransack the house. Surely she must be somewhere + within reach of his voice. But then she was so strange, so different from + any woman he had ever known. How could he tell, perhaps she had left the + old place forever! Henley had not realized until now what a deep and + overpowering dependence had suddenly developed in him toward these people. + They seemed to hold the key to another world in a more practical and + tangible way than he had ever deemed it possible for any mortal-appearing + man to do. Even to be shut out from the wonderful city of Levachan would + be an overwhelming loss, and how could he ever hope to see it again + without their aid? To be deprived forever of the spiritual influence of + these eccentric, half-earthly acquaintances was a thought he could not + tolerate. Even the horrors through which they had passed appeared trivial + as compared with the glimpses they had afforded him of happiness. But to + see these things—to feel the mystery of their power and beauty just + beginning to descend and take possession of him—and then to be + snatched back to earth, with the inability to return, was too horrible, + and like the ecstatic visions of a drowning man cut short by rescue. While + he had Ah Ben and Dorothy within his reach, he felt the possibility of + return; but suddenly they had gone, and for the first time he realized + what they had been to him. Then it began to dawn upon him what these + people must have suffered in a century and a half, and what they must + continue to endure for untold time to come, in their inability to return + in full to that world they had left, or even to take part in the affairs + of this. Surely their case was far worse than his, for after a few years + he would be freed from the bondage of matter, and would grapple with the + mysteries which had become so fascinating; but with them it was different. + Unfitted for either world, without a friend and alone, they must drag out + their weary existence until the law of Karma was satisfied. But he would + not give them up; he could not; for were they not the new life, the new + atmosphere, the very essence of his newly discovered self? He had felt, + and seen, how possible it was for a man to tread on air—to walk the + upper regions of the sky, and he could never again be contented to crawl + upon the surface of the ground like a worm. But without Ah Ben he must + crawl. With him, Paul felt that all things were possible, which powers he + felt that Dorothy also possessed; though, alas, through the crime, and + earth-bound cravings of his host, these powers had been sadly curtailed. + </p> + <p> + Nerveless and dispirited he returned to the garden gate. Some one had been + there since he had passed, for there were fresh foot-prints along the + walk, of a small, feminine type, and directed toward the forest. The steps + had passed outward, and their track was lost in the leaves beyond. Surely + Dorothy had left the house and gone for a ramble in the woods without + having seen him. How could he have missed her, and could it have been + intentional, were thoughts which came unpleasantly to Paul at that moment. + He stood gazing long and earnestly in the direction taken by the departing + footsteps, and doing so, his attention was attracted by the flight of a + bird which came swooping towards him from the depths of the woodland + glade. Nearer and nearer it came, uttering a strange, shrill cry, as if to + attract his attention; and then, after circling in the air above his head, + came fluttering down, and lighted upon the gate-post at his elbow. It was + Dorothy's parrot. But what did it mean by this unusual freak of + familiarity? Paul spoke to the bird, which pleased it; and when he put out + his hand to smooth its feathers, the parrot lifted its wings, and with a + loud cackle exhibited a note which had been carefully tied beneath one of + them. Henley relieved the animal of its burden, and discovered that the + note was addressed to himself. When he looked around again, the parrot had + flown away. This is what the note contained: + </p> +<pre xml:space="preserve"> + GUIR HOUSE. + + MY OWN DEAR COMRADE—I call you my own because you are all that I + ever had, but even now the memory of our few brief interviews is + all that is left to me, for I must go without you. So happy was I + when we first met, that I don't mind telling you, since we shall + not meet again, how, in anticipation, I rested in your dear arms + and felt your loving caresses; for you were all the world to me + then—the only world I had ever known—and the break of day seemed + close at hand. But soon the thought of drawing you down into that + awful abyss 'twixt heaven and earth, which has whirled its black + shadows about me for more than a century, seized me, and I could + not willingly make a thrall of the one I loved; and so I leave you + to those for whom you are fitted, while I shall continue my + solitary life as before. You say that you are lonely without me! + But what is your loneliness to mine? I, who never had a comrade; + who never felt the joy of friendship; and who was dazed with the + sudden flush of love, of hunger satisfied, of companionship! Have + you ever felt the want of these, dear Paul? Have you ever known + what it is to be alone—to live in an empty world—and that, not + for a time, but for ages? Yes, you will say, you understand it, and + that you pity me, and yet you do not know its meaning; for you at + least can live out the life for which God and nature have fitted + you, while I am fit for nothing. You know not what it is to be + shunned; to be avoided; to be feared! You go your way, and smile + and nod to those you meet, and they are pleased to see you. You are + welcome among your friends, as they to you. Live on in that + precious state, and feel blessed and happy, for there are worse + conditions, although you know it not. + + And now I am going to tell you a strange thing. It is this: I have + shadowed your life from the hour of your birth. I have watched your + career, and where able have guided and helped you, knowing that you + were one whom I could love. I have helped to make you what you are, + and therefore my right of possession is doubly founded, even though + my love be too great to lead you astray. Gradually I led you up to + the hour when all was ripe, and then mentally impressed you with + the letter which you thought you received, and which I knew would + affect you through your strongest characteristics—love of + adventure, and—curiosity—as well as from the fact that you were + susceptible to mental influence. You came, and I was happy—more + happy than you will ever know—until my unsated Karma thwarted my + plan, and showed that while seeking my own peace, I might possibly + endanger yours. That ended all. I could go no further. But even + now, as before, I shall come to you in spirit, during the still + hours of night; for my love is more intense and strangely different + from that which waking men are wont to feel. It is that which + sometimes comes in dreams. Do you not know what I mean? + + You will feel bewildered on reading this, and at a loss to + understand many things, but remember that your inward or spiritual + sight has been opened through the power of hypnotism, and you must + not judge things as in your normal state. + + When you reached our little station of Guir, you were expecting to + find me there, and expectation is the proper frame of mind in which + to produce a strong impression; and therefore, although you did not + know what I was like, Ah Ben and I together easily made you see me + as I was, together with the cart and horse; and although you + actually got into the stage which was waiting, you thought you were + in the cart with me. The incident of the broken spring was merely + suggested as a fitting means to bring you back physically from the + coach to the cart, where for the first time, in the moonlight, you + saw me in semi-material form, visible as a shadow to some men, but + wholly so to you. Had I appeared thus at the station, I should have + alarmed all who saw me, and so I came to you only. The two worlds + are so closely intermingled that men often live in one while their + bodies are in another, and to those who are susceptible, the + immaterial can be made more real than the other. I know these + things, because, while at home in neither, I have been in both. + + And now, dear comrade, think sometimes of her who loves you, and to + whom you have been the only joy; and she will be with you always, + although you may not know it, except in your dreams. + + One more word. Think happily of the dead, for they are happy, and + in a way you can not understand. If you love them truly, rejoice + that they have gone, for what you call their death is but their + birth, with powers transcending those of their former state, as + light transcends the darkness. Disturb them not with idle + yearnings, lest your thought unsettle the serenity of their lives. + Let the ignorance which has ruined me be a warning. Some day I + shall complete my term of loneliness, and begin life anew. We will + know each other then, dear Paul, as here. Remember, I shall always + be your spirit guide. DOROTHY. +</pre> + <p> + Henley folded the letter and looked about him in bewilderment, and with a + sense of loneliness he had never known before. He thought he could realize + the emptiness of life, the dissociation with all things, of which Dorothy + had spoken. He was adrift, without anchor in either world. Heart-broken + and crushed, he determined to find the girl at all hazards, and bounded + down the garden path in search of Ah Ben, who alone could help him. At the + last of the boxwood trees he stopped, and then, <i>in an agony of horror, + beheld the roofless ruin of the old house as Ah Ben had shown it to him</i>. + The crumbling walls and broken belfry, half hidden amid the encroaching + trees, were all that was left of Guir House and its spacious grounds. + Heaps of stone and piles of rubbish beset his path, and the open portals, + choked with wild grass and bushes, showed glimpses of the sky beyond. In a + panic of terror lest his reason had gone, Paul flew madly on in the + direction from which Dorothy had first brought him. But not an indication + of what once were ornamental grounds remained. Beyond, an unbroken forest + was upon every side, and the growth was wild and dense. On he rushed, with + both hands pressed tightly against his head, neither knowing nor caring + whither he went. But at last two shadowy forms emerged from a dense + thicket of calmia upon his left, and Paul felt that their influence was + kindly, and that they had come to guide him back into the world he had + left behind. + </p> + <div style="height: 6em;"> + <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> + </div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's The Ghost of Guir House, by Charles Willing Beale + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE GHOST OF GUIR HOUSE *** + +***** This file should be named 8182-h.htm or 8182-h.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + http://www.gutenberg.org/8/1/8/8182/ + + +Produced by John Hagerson, Suzanne L. 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