CHAPTER X
DE PROFUNDIS
THEY were still having tea when Mr. Charles Mason was ushered in. Nothing draws people together into such intimate soul-to-soul relationship as psychic quest, and thus it was that Roxton and Malone, who had only known him in the one episode, felt more near to this man than to others with whom they had associated for years. This close vital com¬ radeship is one of the outstanding features of such communion. When his loosely-built, straggling, lean, clerical figure appeared, with that gaunt, worn face illuminated by its human grin and dignified by its earnest eyes, through the doorway, they both felt as if an old friend had entered. His own greeting was equally cordial.
“Still exploring ! ” he cried, as he shook them by the hand. “ We will hope your new experiences will not be so nerve-racking as our last.”
“ By Jove, padre ! ” said Roxton. “I've worn out the brim of my hat taking it off to you since then.”
“ Why, what did he do ? ” asked Mrs. Mailey.
“ No, no ! ” cried Mason. “ I tried in my poor way to guide a darkened soul. Let us leave it at that. But that is exactly what we are here for now, and what these dear people do every week of their lives. It was from Mr. Mailey here that I learned how to attempt it.”
“ Well, certainly we have plenty of practice,” said
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