CONJURER. Because it is so simple. [_He springs suddenly to his feet, the cheque still in his hand._] You ask me how I really did the last trick. I will tell you how I did the last trick. I did it by magic. [_The_ DUKE _and_ DOCTOR _stare at him motionless; but the_ REV. SMITH _starts and takes a step nearer the table. The_ CONJURER _pulls his cloak round his shoulders. This gesture, as of departure, brings the_ DOCTOR _to his feet._ DOCTOR. [_Astonished and angry._] Do you really mean that you take the cheque and then tell us it was only magic? CONJURER. [_Pulling the cheque to pieces._] I tear the cheque, and I tell you it was only magic. DOCTOR. [_With violent sincerity._] But hang it all, there's no such thing. CONJURER. Yes there is. I wish to God I did not know that there is. DUKE. [_Rising also._] Why, really, magic.... CONJURER. [_Contemptuously._] Yes, your Grace, one of those larger laws you were telling us about. [_He buttons his cloak up at his throat and takes up his bag. As he does so the_ REV. SMITH _steps between him and the door and stops him for a moment._ SMITH. [_In a low voice._] One moment, sir. CONJURER. What do you want? SMITH. I want to apologize to you. I mean on behalf of the company. I think it was wrong to offer you money. I think it was more wrong to mystify you with medical language and call the thing delirium. I have more respect for conjurer's patter than for doctor's patter. They are both meant to stupify; but yours only to stupify for a moment. Now I put it to you in plain words and on plain human Christian grounds. Here is a poor boy who may be going mad. Suppose you had a son in such a position, would you not expect people to tell you the whole truth if it could help you? CONJURER. Yes. And I have told you the whole truth. Go and find out if it helps you. [_Turns again to go, but more irresolutely._ SMITH. You know quite well it will not help us. CONJURER. Why not? SMITH. You know quite well why not. You are an honest man; and you have said it yourself. Because he would not believe it. CONJURER. [_With a sort of fury._] Well, does anybody believe it? Do you believe it? SMITH. [_With great restraint._] Your question is quite fair. Come, let us sit down and talk about it. Let me take your cloak. CONJURER. I will take off my cloak when you take off your coat. SMITH. [_Smiling._] Why? Do you want me to fight?