“And he has had the saving of a soul. Well, we must admit that our objects seem very humble compared to his.” * * * * * They caught the early train to London, and had a carriage to themselves. Mason had said little and seemed to be lost in thought. Suddenly, he turned to his companions. “I say, you two, would you mind joining me in prayer?” Lord Roxton made a grimace. “I warn you, padre, I am rather out of practice.” “Please kneel down with me. I want your aid.” They knelt down, side by side, the padre in the middle. Malone made a mental note of the prayer. “Father, we are all Your children, poor, weak, helpless creatures, swayed by Fate and circumstance. I implore You that You will turn eyes of compassion upon the man, Rupert Tremayne, who wandered far from You, and is now in the dark. He has sunk deep, very deep, for he had a proud heart which would not soften, and a cruel mind, which was filled with hate. But now he would turn to the light, and so I beg help for him and for the woman, Emma, who, for the love of him, has gone down into the darkness. May she raise him, as she had tried to do. May they both break the bonds of evil memory which tie them to earth. May they, for to-night, move up towards that glorious light which sooner or later shines upon even the lowest.” They rose from their knees. “That’s better!” cried the Padre, thumping his chest with his bony hand, and breaking out into his expansive, toothsome grin. “What a night! Good Lord, what a night!”[B] CHAPTER IX WHICH INTRODUCES SOME VERY PHYSICAL PHENOMENA Malone seemed destined to be entangled in the affairs of the Linden family, for he had hardly seen the last of the unfortunate Tom before he became involved in a very much more unpleasant fashion with his unsavoury brother. The episode began by a telephone ring in the morning and the voice of Algernon Mailey at the far end of the wire. “Are you clear for this afternoon?” “At your service.” “I say, Malone, you are a hefty man. You played Rugger for Ireland, did you not? You don’t mind a possible rough-and-tumble, do you?” Malone grinned over the receiver. “You can count me in.” “It may really be rather formidable. We shall have possibly to tackle a prizefighter.” “Right-o!” said Malone, cheerfully. “And we want another man for the job. Do you know any fellow who would come along just for the sake of the adventure. If he knows anything about psychic matters, all the better.” Malone puzzled for a moment. Then he had an inspiration. “There is Roxton,” said he. “He’s not a chicken, but he is a useful man in a row. I think I could get him. He has been keen on your subject since his Dorsetshire experience.” “Right! Bring him along! If he can’t come, we shall have to tackle the job ourselves. Forty-one, Belshaw Gardens, S.W. Near Earl’s Court Station. Three p.m. Right!” Malone at once rang up Lord Roxton, and soon heard the familiar voice.