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There re and what thethe sleep; but of all this he had read before in books Why should he be convinced any more now than he had been previously? Besides, it was surely doubtful, was it not, whether the rapping, if it had really taken place, ht not be the normal cracks and sounds of ork, intensified in the attention of the listeners? or if it was ht not be produced in so person present? This was surely conceivable--more conceivable, that is, than any other hypothesis Besides, what had it all got to do with Ainal experience, skepticisht did their work by incessant repetition The nore, businesslike face of the lahom he faced day by day, a theatre or two, a couple of dinners--even the noise of London streets and the appearance of workaday persons--all these gradually reassured him

When therefore he received a nervous little note fro hi his attendance, he wrote aher for her kindness, but saying that he had coood for hi her to make his excuses to Mr Vincent

A week or two passed, and nothing whatever happened Then he heard again froain he answered by a polite refusal, adding a little ain silence fell

Then at last Mr Vincent called on hi after dinner

Laurie's rooms were in Mitre Court, very convenient to the Te with the staircase

He had played a little on his grand piano, that occupied a third of his sitting-room, and had then dropped off to sleep before his fire He awakened suddenly to see the bigyour pardon, Mr Baxter; the porter's boy told ht up I found your outer door open"

Laurie hastened to welcome him, to set him down in a deep chair, to offer whisky and to supply tobacco There was so about this man that commanded deference

"You knohy I have co