“I swear to God,” said Linden, “that from the time I entered the cabinet until I found myself upon the floor I knew nothing.” He had staggered to his feet and was shaking all over in his agitation, so that he could not hold the glass of water which his wife had brought him. Challenger shrugged his shoulders. “Your excuses,” he said, “only open up fresh abysses of credulity. My own duty is obvious, and it will be done to the uttermost. Whatever you have to say will, no doubt, receive such consideration as it deserves from the magistrate.” Then Professor Challenger turned to go as one who has triumphantly accomplished that for which he came. “Come, Enid!” said he. And now occurred a development so sudden, so unexpected, so dramatic, that no one present will ever cease to have it in vivid memory. No answer was returned to Challenger’s call. Everyone else had risen to their feet. Only Enid remained in her chair. She sat with her head on one shoulder, her eyes closed, her hair partly loosened--a model for a sculptor. “She is asleep,” said Challenger. “Wake up, Enid. I am going.” There was no response from the girl. Mailey was bending over her. “Hush! Don’t disturb her! She is in trance.” Challenger rushed forward. “What have you done? Your infernal hankey-pankey has frightened her. She has fainted.” Mailey had raised her eyelid. “No, no, her eyes are turned up. She is in trance. Your daughter, sir, is a powerful medium.” “A medium! You are raving. Wake up, girl! Wake up!” “For God’s sake leave her! You may regret it all your life if you don’t. It is not safe to break abruptly into the mediumistic trance.” Challenger stood in bewilderment. For once his presence of mind had deserted him. Was it possible that his child stood on the edge of some mysterious precipice and that he might push her over? “What shall I do?” he asked helplessly. “Have no fear. All will be well. Sit down! Sit down, all of you. Ah! she is about to speak.” The girl had stirred. She had sat straight in her chair. Her lips trembled. One hand was outstretched. “For him!” she cried, pointing to Challenger. “He must not hurt my Medi. It is a message. For him.” There was breathless silence among the persons who had gathered round the girl. “Who speaks?” asked Mailey. “Victor speaks, Victor. He shall not hurt my Medi. I have a message. For him!” “Yes, yes. What is the message?” “His wife is here.” “Yes!” “She says that she has been once before. That she came through this girl. It was after she was buried. She knock and he hear her knocking, but not understand.” “Does this mean anything to you, Professor Challenger?”