Something of his inner shock and fear must have reflected itself upon his trance-bound features, for suddenly he heard Madame Riennes exclaim: "Have done! the medium awakes, and I tell you it is dangerous while our Guide is here.

Back to his breast, Eleanor! Thence to your place!" The tall figure changed; it became misty, shapeless.

It seemed to fall on him like a cloud of icy vapour, chilling him to the heart, and through that vapour he could see the ormolu clock which stood on a bracket in the recess, and even note the time, which was thirteen minutes past four.

After this he became unconscious, and in due course woke up as usual.

The first thing his eyes fell on was the clock, of which the hands now pointed to a quarter to five, and the sight of it brought everything back to him.