"These papers are from him. They seem to be of tremendous importance, of a significance that I can hardly grasp yet." "What is the nature of them?" asked the editor, rising from his chair, powerfully affected in his turn by Spence's manner. Harold put his hand up to his throat, pulling at his collar; the apple moved up and down convulsively. "The Tomb!" Spence gasped. "The Holy Tomb!" "What do you mean?" asked Ommaney. "Another supposed burial-place of Christ--like the _Times_ business, when they found the Gordon Tomb, and Canon MacColl wrote such a lot?" His face fell a little. This, though interesting enough, and fine "news copy," was less than he hoped. "No, no," cried Spence, getting his voice back at last and speaking like a man in acute physical pain. "_A new tomb has been found. There is an inscription in Greek, written by Joseph of Arimathæa, and there are other traces._" His voice failed him. "_Go on, man, go on!_" said the editor. "_The inscription--tells that Joseph--took the body of Jesus--from his own garden tomb--he hid it in this place--the disciples never knew--it is a confession_----" Ommaney was as white as Spence now. "_There are other contributory proofs_," Spence continued. "_Hands says it is certain. All the details are here, read_----" Ommaney stared fixedly at his lieutenant. "_Then, if this is true_," he whispered, "_it means?_----" "THAT CHRIST NEVER ROSE FROM THE DEAD, THAT CHRISTIANITY IS ALL A LIE." Spence slipped back in his chair a little and fainted. With the assistance of two men from one of the other rooms they brought him back to consciousness before very long. Then while Ommaney read the papers Spence sat nervously in his chair, sipping some brandy-and-water they had brought him and trying to smoke a cigarette with a palsied hand. The editor finished at last. "Pull yourself together, Spence," he said sharply. "This is no time for sentiment. I know your beliefs, though I do not share them, and I can sympathise with you. But keep yourself off all private thoughts now. We must be extremely careful what we are doing. Now listen carefully to me." The keen voice roused Spence. He made a tremendous effort at self-control.