He rose greedily to Smithers'
controversial bait.
"I say _no_!" he said, calling down the narrow laboratory and
following his voice. He spoke with the ghost of a lisp. "Pardon my
interrupting, sir. The question interests me profoundly. I hope I
don't intrude. Excuse me, sir. Make it personal. Am I a--fool, or an
impostor?"
"Well," parried Smithers, with all a South Kensington student's want
of polish, "that's a bit personal."
"Assume, sir, that I am an honest observer."
"Well?"
"I have _seen_ spirits, _heard_ spirits, _felt_ the touch of spirits,"
He opened his pale eyes very widely.
"Fool, then," said Smithers in an undertone which did not reach the
ears of the spiritualist.
"You may have been deceived," paraphrased Lewisham.
"I can assure you ... others can see, hear, feel. I have tested,
sir. Tested! I have some scientific training and I have employed
tests. Scientific and exhaustive tests! Every possible way. I ask you,
sir--have you given the spirits a chance?"
"It is only paying guineas to humbugs," said Smithers.
"There you are! Prejudice! Here is a man denies the facts and
consequently _won't_ see them, won't go near them."
"But you wouldn't have every man in the three kingdoms, who
disbelieved in spirits, attend _seances_ before he should be allowed
to deny?"
"Most assuredly yes.
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