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The medium smiled

"Who can tell that?" he said "Why should one man be an artist, and another not? It is a un to develop that tein with As for--"

Laurie interrupted him

"Yes, yes," he said "But there's another point What about that fear I had when I tried to--to awaken?"

There passed over the ravity It was no more than a shade, but it was there He reached out rather quickly for his pipe which he had laid aside, and blew through it carefully before answering

"That?" he said, hat seemed to the boy an affected carelessness "That? Oh, that's a common experience Don't think about that too much, Mr Baxter It's never very healthy--"

"I am sorry," said Laurie deliberately "But I must ask you to tell "

The an to speak, and checked hiather upon him tenfold

"Please tellthat is to be known, I will not go another step along this road I really

"And what if I do tell you?" he said in his slow virile voice "Are you sure you will not be turned back?"

"If it is a well-known danger, and can be avoided with prudence, I certainly shall not turn back"

"Very well, Mr Baxter, I will take you at your word Have you ever heard the phrase, 'The Watcher on the Threshold'?"

Laurie shook his head

"No," he said "At least I don't think so"

"Well," said the medium quietly, "that is e call the Fear you spoke of No; don't interrupt I'll tell you all we know It's not very ain, stretched his hand for the matches, and took one out Laurie watched him as if fascinated by the action

Outside roared Oxford Street in one long rolling sound as of the sea; but within here was that quiet retired silence which the boy had noticed before in the same company Was that fancy, too, he wondered?

The medium lit his pipe and leaned back

"I'll tell you all we know," he said again quietly "It's not very much Really the phrase I used just now suet beyond this world of sense have becoenerally knows nothing at all One of these facts is that the door between this life and the other is guarded by a certain being of e know really nothing at all, except that his presence causes thefear in those who experience it He is set there--God only knohy--and his main business see the body those who have left it Just occasionally his presence is perceived by those on this side, but not often But I have been present at death-beds where he has been seen--"