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"But--but--" began Laurie

"Please sit down again, Mr Baxter," repeated the voice, with a touch of iain; but he was alert, suspicious, and intensely puzzled

"Will you kindly tell me what has happened?" he asked sharply

"You feel tired?"

"No; I aht Kindly tellin an undertone he could not hear Mr Vincent stood up with a nod and leaned hi down at the rather indignant young man

"Certainly," he said "You are sure you are not exhausted, Mr Baxter?"

"Not in the least," said Laurie

"Well, then, you passed into trance about five minutes--"

"What?"

"You passed into trance about five o"

"Trance?" gasped Laurie

"Certainly A very deep and satisfactory trance There is nothing to be frightened of, Mr Baxter It is an unusual gift, that is all I have seldom seen a more satisfactory instance May I ask you a question or two, sir?"

Laurie nodded vaguely He was still trying hopelessly to take in what had been said

"You nearly passed into trance a little earlier May I ask whether you heard or saw anything that recalled you?"

Laurie shut his eyes tight in an effort to think He felt dimly rather proud of himself