"I've been asking myself since he came back," Graham answered, "if there's any queer power behind his quiet manner. Maybe he _is_ psychic. Maybe he can do things we don't understand. I've wondered if he had, without your knowing it, acquired sufficient influence to direct your body when your mind no longer controlled it. It's a nasty thought, but I've heard of such things." "You mean Carlos may have made me go to the hall last night, perhaps sent me to the old room those other times?" Now that another had expressed the idea Bobby fought it with all his might. "No. I won't believe it. I've been weak, Hartley, but not that weak. And I tell you I did feel Howells's body move under my hand." "Don't misunderstand me," Graham said gently. "I must consider every possibility. You were excited and imaginative when you went to the old room to take the evidence. It was a shock to have your candle go out. Your own hand, reaching out to Howells, might have moved spasmodically. I mean, you may have been responsible for the thing without realizing it." "And the disappearance of the evidence?" Bobby defended himself. "If it had been stolen earlier the coat pocket might have retained its bulging shape. We know now that Paredes is capable of sneaking around the house." "No, no," Bobby said hotly. "You're trying to take away my one hope. But I was there, and you weren't. I know with my own senses what happened, and you don't. Paredes has no such influence over me. I won't think of it." "If it's so far-fetched," Graham asked quietly, "why do you revolt from the idea?" Bobby turned on him. "And why do you fill my mind with such thoughts? If you think I'm guilty say so. Go tell Robinson so." He glanced away while the angry colour left his face. He was a little dazed by the realization that he had spoken to Graham as he might have done to an enemy, as he had spoken to Howells in the old bedroom. He felt the touch of Graham's hand on his shoulder. "I'm only working in your service," Graham said kindly. "I'm sorry if I've troubled you by seeking physical facts in order to escape the ghosts. For Groom has brought the ghosts back with him. Don't make any mistake about that. You want the truth, don't you?" "Yes," Bobby said, "even if it does for me. But I want it quickly. I can't go on this way indefinitely." Yet that flash of temper had given him courage to face the ordeal. A lingering resentment at Graham's suggestion lessened the difficulty of his position. Entering the court, he scarcely glanced at the black wagon.