“It’s all right, Tom,” said Mailey. “Remember that you have a bodyguard of friends round you who won’t see you ill used.” Then Mailey spoke to Challenger in a sterner way than was his wont. “I beg you to remember, sir, that a medium is as delicate an instrument as any to be found in your laboratories. Do not abuse it. I presume that you found nothing compromising upon his person?” “No, sir, I did not. And as a result he assures us that we will get nothing to-day.” “He says so because your manner has disturbed him. You must treat him more gently.” Challenger’s expression did not promise any amendment. His eyes fell upon Mrs. Linden. “I understand that this person is the medium’s wife. She should also be searched.” “That is a matter of course,” said the Scotsman Ogilvy. “My wife and your daughter will take her out. But I beg you, Professor Challenger, to be as harmonious as you can, and to remember that we are all as interested in the results as you are, so that the whole company will suffer if you should disturb the conditions.” Mr. Bolsover, the grocer, rose with as much dignity as if he were presiding at his favourite temple. “I move,” said he, “that Professor Challenger be searched.” Challenger’s beard bristled with anger. “Search me! What do you mean, sir?” Bolsover was not to be intimidated. “You are here not as our friend but as our enemy. If you was to prove fraud it would be a personal triumph for you--see? Therefore I, for one, says as you should be searched.” “Do you mean to insinuate, sir, that I am capable of cheating?” trumpeted Challenger. “Well, Professor, we are all accused of it in turn,” said Mailey smiling. “We all feel as indignant as you are at first, but after a time you get used to it. I’ve been called a liar, a lunatic--goodness knows what. What does it matter?” “It is a monstrous proposition,” said Challenger, glaring all round him. “Well, sir,” said Ogilvy, who was a particularly pertinacious Scot. “Of course, it is open to you to walk out of the room and leave us. But if you sit, you must sit under what we consider to be scientific conditions. It is not scientific that a man who is known to be bitterly hostile to the movement should sit with us in the dark with no check as to what he may have in his pockets.” “Come, come!” cried Malone. “Surely we can trust to the honour of Professor Challenger.” “That’s all very well,” said Bolsover. “I did not observe that Professor Challenger trusted so very much to the honour of Mr. and Mrs. Linden.” “We have cause to be careful,” said Ogilvy. “I can assure you that there are frauds practised on mediums just as there are frauds practised by mediums. I could give you plenty of examples. No, sir, you will have to be searched.” “It won’t take a minute,” said Lord Roxton. “What I mean young Malone here and I could give you a once over in no time.” “Quite so, come on!” said Malone.