“Why, it is nearly eight,” he cried.

Mr. Vincent smiled reassuringly.

“It is about that,” he said.  “Please sit down again, Mr. Baxter.”

“But—­but—­” began Laurie.

“Please sit down again, Mr. Baxter,” repeated the voice, with a touch of imperiousness that there was no resisting.

Laurie sat down again; but he was alert, suspicious, and intensely puzzled.

“Will you kindly tell me what has happened?” he asked sharply.

“You feel tired?”

“No; I am all right.  Kindly tell me what has happened.”

He saw Lady Laura whisper something in an undertone he could not hear.  Mr. Vincent stood up with a nod and leaned himself against the mantelpiece, looking down at the rather indignant young man.

“Certainly,” he said.  “You are sure you are not exhausted, Mr. Baxter?”

“Not in the least,” said Laurie.

“Well, then, you passed into trance about five minutes—­”

“What?”

“You passed into trance about five minutes past six; you came out of it five minutes ago.”

“Trance?” gasped Laurie.

“Certainly.  A very deep and satisfactory trance.  There is nothing to be frightened of, Mr. Baxter.  It is an unusual gift, that is all.  I have seldom seen a more satisfactory instance.  May I ask you a question or two, sir?”

Laurie nodded vaguely.  He was still trying hopelessly to take in what had been said.

“You nearly passed into trance a little earlier.  May I ask whether you heard or saw anything that recalled you?”

Laurie shut his eyes tight in an effort to think.  He felt dimly rather proud of himself.

“It was quite short.  Then you came back and looked at Lady Laura.  Try to remember.”

“I remember thinking I had heard a sound.”

The medium nodded.

“Just so,” he said.

“That would be the third,” said Lady Laura, nodding sagely.

“Third what?” said Laurie rather rudely.

No one paid any attention to him.

“Now can you give any account of the last hour and a half?” continued the medium tranquilly.

Laurie considered again.  He was still a little confused.

“I remember thinking about the streets,” he said, “and then of my own home, and then...”  He stopped.

“Yes; and then?”

“Then of a certain private matter.”

“Ah!  We must not pry then.  But can you answer one question more?  Was it connected with any person who has crossed over?”

“It was,” said Laurie shortly.

“Just so,” said the medium.

Laurie felt suspicious.

“Why do you ask that?” he said.

Mr. Vincent looked at him steadily.

“I think I had better tell you, Mr. Baxter; it is more straightforward, though you will not like it.  You will be surprised to hear that you talked very considerably during this hour and a half; and from all that you said I should suppose you were controlled by a spirit recently crossed over—­a young girl who on being questioned gave the name of Amy Nugent—­”