I admitted that the words in question had been addressed to me; and I proved that Davilo had been busily engaged with me from that moment until an hour later than that of the fatal accident.

There being thus no dispute as to the facts, a keen contest of argument proceeded between the advocates on either side.

The defenders of the prisoner ridiculed with an affectation of scientific contempt--none the less effective because the chief pleader was himself an experienced member of our Order--the idea that the actions or fate of a person at a distance could be affected by the mere will of another; and related, as absurd and incredible traditions of old to this purport, some anecdotes which had been communicated to me as among the best attested and most striking examples of the historical exercise of the mystic powers.

The able and bigoted sceptics, who prosecuted this day in the interests of science, insisted, with equal inconsistency and equal skill, on the innumerable recorded and attested instances of some diabolical power possessed by certain supposed members of a detested and malignant sect.

A year ago the judges would probably have sided unanimously with the former.