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Page 37
"There was no blow, Henry," said Sir Walter.
"Death is a blow, uncle--the most awful blow a strong man can be
called to suffer, surely. And I beg this, that if you won't let
me face the infernal thing alone you'll let me share this business
with Mr. May. He can pray and I can--watch."
But the dead man's father made short work of Henry's proposition.
"You are introducing that very element of rationalism to be, before
all things, distrusted here. The mere introduction of human
precaution and human weapons would sully faith and make of no
avail the only sure means of winning light on this solemn problem.
Reason, so employed, would be a hindrance--an actual danger. Only
absolute faith can unravel the mystery before us."
"Then, frankly, I tell you that I lack any such absolute faith,"
declared Sir Walter.
"Do not say that--you libel yourself and are letting a base and
material fear cloud your own trust," answered May. "As there is
no human reason for what has happened, so no human reason will be
found to explain it. By denying me, you are denying the sole means
by which this dark terror can be banished. You are denying God's
offer of peace. We must not only seek peace, but ensure it. That
means that we are now called to take such steps as the Almighty
puts at our service by the road of conscience and faith. I have
a right to this revelation as my boy's father. The cup is mine,
and you will do very wrongly if you deny me the right to drink it.
I desire to say, 'Peace be to this house' before I leave it, and,
Christian to Christian, you cannot deny me, or hesitate as to your
answer."
No argument would bend his obstinate conviction, and he debated
with great force from his own standpoint. He presented a man
overmastered and mentally incapable of appreciating any argument
against his possession.
But Sir Walter, now determined, was as obstinate as the clergyman.
Mannering bluntly declared that it would be suicide on May's part,
and a conniving at the same by any who permitted him to attempt
his vigil.
"I, too, must do my duty as I see it," summed up the master of
Chadlands, "and after I have done so, then we may be in a position
to admit the case is altered."
The other suddenly rose and lifted his hands. He was trembling
with emotion.
"May my God give a sign, then!" he cried.
They were silent a moment, for courtesy or astonishment. Nothing
happened, and presently Sir Walter spoke:
"You must bear with me. You are upset, and scarcely know the
gravity of the things you say. To-morrow the physical and material
investigation that I consider proper, and the world has a right to
demand, will be made--in a spirit, I hope, as earnest and devout as
your own. And if after that no shadow of explanation is forthcoming,
and no peril to life can be discovered, then I should feel disposed
to consider your views more seriously--with many reserves, however.
At any rate, it will be your turn then, if you still adhere to your
opinions; and I am sure all just persons who hear of your purpose
would join their prayers with you."
"Your faith is weak, though you believe it strong," answered the
other.
And he was equally curt when the physician advised him to take a
sleeping-draught before retiring. He bade them "Good-night"
without more words, and went to his room, while after further
conversation, Dr. Mannering and Mr. Prodgers took their leave.
The former strongly urged Sir Walter to set some sort of guard
outside the door of the Grey Room.
"That man's not wholly sane to-night," he declared, "and he appears
to glory in the fact that he isn't. He must surely be aware that
much he said was superstitious bosh. Look after him. Guard his
own apartment. That will be the simplest plan."
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