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Page 56
"The least the creature could do, in my humble opinion," ventured
Masters.
But Septimus May deprecated such curiosity.
"Hope for no such thing, and do not dwell upon what is to happen
until I am able to tell you what does happen," he answered. "Allow
no human weakness, no desire to learn the secrets of another world,
to distract your thoughts. I am only concerned with what I know
beyond possibility of doubt is my duty--to be entered upon as
swiftly as possible. I hear my call in the very voice of the wind
shouting round the house to-night. But beyond my duty I do not seek.
Whether information awaits me, whether some manifestation indicating
my success and valuable to humanity will be granted, I cannot say.
I do not stop now to think about that.
"Alone I do this thing--yet not alone, for my hand is in my Maker's
hand. Your part will not be to accompany me. Let each man and
woman be informed of what I do, and let them lift a petition for
me, that my work be crowned with success. But let them not assume
that to-morrow I shall have anything to impart. The night may be
one of peace within, though so stormy without. I may pray till
dawn with no knowledge how my prayer prospers, or I may be called
to face a being that no human eye has ever seen and lived. These
things are hidden from us."
"You are wonderful, and it is heartening to meet with such mighty
faith," replied Sir Walter. "You have no fear, no shadow of
hesitation or doubt at the bottom of your mind?"
"None. Only an overmastering desire to obey the message that
throbs in my heart. I will be honest with you, for I recognize
that many might doubt whether you were in the right to let me face
this ordeal. But I am driven by an overwhelming mandate. Did I
fear, or feel one tremor of uncertainty, I would not proceed; for
any wavering might be fatal and give me helpless into the power of
this watchful spirit; but I am as certain of my duty as I am that
salvation awaits the just man.
"I believe that I shall liberate this arrested being with cathartic
prayer and cleansing petition to our common Maker. And have I not
the spirit of my dead boy on my side? Could any living man, however
well intentioned, watch with me and over me as he will? Fear
nothing; go to your rest, and let all who would assist me do so on
their knees before they sleep."
Even Masters echoed some of this fierce and absolute faith when he
returned to the servants' hall.
"His eyes blaze," he said. "He's about the most steadfast man ever
I saw inside a pulpit, or out of it. You feel if that man went to
the window and told the rain to stop and the wind to go down, they
would. No ghost that ever walked could best him anyway. They
asked me to talk and say what I felt, and I did; but words are
powerless against such an iron will as he's got.
"I doubted first, and Sir Walter said he doubted likewise; but he's
dead sure now, and what's good enough for him is good enough for us.
I'll bet Caunter, or any man, an even flyer that he's going to put
the creature down and out and come off without a scratch himself.
I offered to sit up with him, so did Sir Walter; but he wouldn't
hear of it. So all we've got to do is to turn in and say our
prayers. That's simple enough for God-fearing people, and we can't
do no better than to obey orders."
It was none the less a nervous and highly strung household that
presently went to bed, and no woman slept without another woman to
keep her company. Sir Walter found himself worn out in mind and
body. Mary made him take his bromide, and he slept without a
dream, despite the din of the great "sou'-wester" and the distant,
solemn crash of more than one great tree thrown upon the lap of
mother earth at last.
Before he retired, however, something in the nature of a procession
had escorted the priest to his ordeal. Mr. May donned biretta,
surplice, and stole, for, as he explained, he was to hold a
religious service as sacred and significant as any other rite.
"Lord send him no congregation then," thought Masters.
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