I think it is the true explanation of all these grotesque phenomena. Much that is absolutely absurd must be cleared away, but still there will, I think, remain a good deal to be accounted for. But if this be granted, to ever so slight an extent, it is a most telling argument against materialism, for it involves necessarily (from the materialist's point of view) a species of distanceaction between atoms-the very notion which, as I am told, all the higher science of the day is doing its best to upset.

Dr. Hermann Stoffkraft.-Stay-let me see, or at least it would involve a sensorium in the unseen which I cannot allow. This is by far the most telling argument I have yet heard, and I confess that (for the moment at least) I do not see how to meet it. If I am right, there must be a weak link in the chain, and it can be no other than the assumption that some at least of the phenomena of Electro-biology are genuine. I must again examine them.

Sir Kenneth M'Kelpie.-An excellent opportunity presents itself, Doctor. Next week I

hope to entertain two of your compatriots, who are special adepts in Electro-biology, and are also mediums' of some note. Graf Ernst von Ehrenberg and his sister you must at least have heard of.

Dr. Hermann Stoffkraft.I am happy to call him an intimate friend. We were fellowstudents in days when both were impecunious, and when a common patron provided for us at the University. Strange to say, we can still, without shame, acknowledge our obligations to him, great as they are. We were told that the correct thing' was to cut him as soon as we could stand on our own feet. But Count Ernst, like myself, is a victim to conscience! His sister, I remember, was a merry little girl some dozen or so years ago. She must be a

woman now.

Sir Kenneth M'Kelpie.-And one of the most charming of her sex, as I am sure you will confess when you have met her. But she is altogether above the frivolities of fashionshe has a mission-and, like all such semi

inspired people, she cares not to think or talk of anything else. Come with me to-morrow to Strathkelpie, Doctor, and learn the truth from a woman.

Frederick Fairbank (aside to Dr. Stoffkraft). -Don't be a fool. It's all up with you if you go north. Besides, you have already agreed to stay with us.

Dr. Hermann Stoffkraft (to Stephen Fairbank).—My dear Sir, I feel I must beg you to release me from my engagement with you, and as nothing but my intense desire for knowledge could have induced me to revoke my promise, so I hope you will forgive me.

Stephen Fairbank.—Of course, Doctor. I see how it must all go. Second-sight or not, I divined your fate this morning, as Frederick there will tell you. But I had no idea that it was so imminent.

Sir Kenneth M'Kelpie.—What is all this? I thought second-sight was peculiar to the Scottish Highlanders. Is Saul also among the prophets? But I think, Fairbank, that the

Doctor should travel with me, as my quarters are not very easily accessible. You can catch him, and detain him as long as you please, on his way home. I'll give you due notice.

Stephen Fairbank.-Be it so. I had much to show him, much to say to him, and still more to learn from him. But I see that his heart is fixed on your spiritualistic work, for the time at least, so we must prorogue the Paradoxical at once, and hope for better success at our next meeting. Frederick Fairbank (aside).—That's always the way. What's the use of bothering about them? My father has some common sense, and applies it to his beliefs, but Sir Kenneth will believe anything, and Stoffkraft nothing. Yet these two extremes go off together for some outrageous folly, and leave the common-sense mean behind. Well! I have done what I could, short of utter rudeness-so I wash my hands of the whole affair.

CHAPTER VII.

WHAT BECAME OF THE DOCTOR.

'Unglücklicher, was willst du thun? so ruft
In seinem Innern eine treue Stimme,
Versuchen den Allheiligen willst du?

Kein Sterblicher, sprach des Orakels Mund,
Rückt diesen Schleier, bis ich selbst ihn hebe.

Doch setzte nicht derselbe Mund hinzu:

Wer diesen Schleier hebt, soll Wahrheit schauen?'

SCHILLER.

A COUPLE of years have passed since the Jubilee party broke up. During the recent autumn the editors enjoyed for a short time the hospitality of the genial Stephen Fairbank. Trout were plentiful, and gave excellent sport. The morning 'header' was as grateful as ever. Frederick Fairbank, home for the vacation, was busily engaged in training a cricket eleven to do battle with some neighbouring power, and we gave him what help