“All the powers are made for use,” said Harvey Deacon. “If we _can_ do this, we _should_ do this. Every new departure of knowledge has been called unlawful in its inception. It is right and proper that we should inquire into the nature of death.” “It is right and proper,” said the voice. “There, what more could you ask?” cried Moir, who was much excited. “Let us have a test. Will you give us a test that you are really there?” “What test do you demand?” “Well, now--I have some coins in my pocket. Will you tell me how many?” “We come back in the hope of teaching and of elevating, and not to guess childish riddles.” “Ha, ha, Meester Moir, you catch it that time,” cried the Frenchman. “But surely this is very good sense what the Control is saying.” “It is a religion, not a game,” said the cold, hard voice. “Exactly--the very view I take of it,” cried Moir. “I am sure I am very sorry if I have asked a foolish question. You will not tell me who you are?” “What does it matter?” “Have you been a spirit long?” “Yes.” “How long?” “We cannot reckon time as you do. Our conditions are different.” “Are you happy?” “Yes.” “You would not wish to come back to life?” “No--certainly not.” “Are you busy?” “We could not be happy if we were not busy.” “What do you do?” “I have said that the conditions are entirely different.” “Can you give us no idea of your work?” “We labour for our own improvement and for the advancement of others.” “Do you like coming here to-night?” “I am glad to come if I can do any good by coming.” “Then to do good is your object?” “It is the object of all life on every plane.” “You see, Markham, that should answer your scruples.” It did, for my doubts had passed and only interest remained. “Have you pain in your life?” I asked. “No; pain is a thing of the body.” “Have you mental pain?” “Yes; one may always be sad or anxious.” “Do you meet the friends whom you have known on earth?” “Some of them.” “Why only some of them?” “Only those who are sympathetic.” “Do husbands meet wives?” “Those who have truly loved.” “And the others?” “They are nothing to each other.” “There must be a spiritual connection?” “Of course.” “Is what we are doing right?” “If done in the right spirit.” “What is the wrong spirit?” “Curiosity and levity.” “May harm come of that?” “Very serious harm.” “What sort of harm?” “You may call up forces over which you have no control.” “Evil forces?” “Undeveloped forces.” “You say they are dangerous. Dangerous to body or mind?” “Sometimes to both.” There was a pause, and the blackness seemed to grow blacker still, while the yellow-green fog swirled and smoked upon the table. “Any questions you would like to ask, Moir?” said Harvey Deacon. “Only this--do you pray in your world?” “One should pray in every world.” “Why?” “Because it is the acknowledgment of forces outside ourselves.” “What religion do you hold over there?” “We differ exactly as you do.”