the unknown guest(Ä°Éú¿Í)-µÚ15ÕÂ
°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡û »ò ¡ú ¿É¿ìËÙÉÏÏ·ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉ쵀 Enter ¼ü¿É»Øµ½±¾ÊéĿ¼ҳ£¬°´¼üÅÌÉÏ·½Ïò¼ü ¡ü ¿É»Øµ½±¾Ò³¶¥²¿£¡
¡ª¡ª¡ª¡ªÎ´ÔĶÁÍꣿ¼ÓÈëÊéÇ©ÒѱãÏ´μÌÐøÔĶÁ£¡
subconsciousness¡£¡¡But¡¡all¡¡this¡¡is¡¡practically¡¡nothing¡¡more¡¡than¡¡inconsistent¡¡
speculation¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ingenious¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡dreaming¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡dark£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡any¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡case£»¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡is¡¡
adventitious£»¡¡secondary¡¡and¡¡provisional¡£¡¡Let¡¡us¡¡keep¡¡to¡¡the¡¡facts¡¡as¡¡we¡¡see¡¡
them£º¡¡an¡¡unknown¡¡faculty£»¡¡buried¡¡deep¡¡in¡¡our¡¡being¡¡and¡¡generally¡¡inactive£»¡¡
perceives£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡rare¡¡¡¡¡¡occasions£»¡¡¡¡¡¡events¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡yet¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡place¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡
possess¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡certainty¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡subject£»¡¡¡¡¡¡namely£»¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡phenomenon¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡59¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡60¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡UNKNOWN¡¡GUEST¡¡
actually¡¡occurs¡¡¡¡¡¡within¡¡ourselves£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡therefore¡¡¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡¡¡ourselves¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
must¡¡first¡¡study¡¡it£»¡¡without¡¡burdening¡¡ourselves¡¡with¡¡suppositions¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡
remove¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡centre¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡simply¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡shift¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡mystery¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡
incomprehensible¡¡mystery¡¡is¡¡the¡¡preexistence¡¡of¡¡the¡¡future£»¡¡once¡¡we¡¡admit¡¡
thisand¡¡it¡¡seems¡¡very¡¡difficult¡¡to¡¡denythere¡¡is¡¡no¡¡reason¡¡to¡¡attribute¡¡to¡¡
imaginary¡¡intermediaries¡¡rather¡¡than¡¡to¡¡ourselves¡¡the¡¡faculty¡¡of¡¡descrying¡¡
certain¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡fragments¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡future¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡We¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡see£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡regard¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
mediumistic¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡manifestations£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡possess¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡within¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡ourselves¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡the¡¡
unusual¡¡¡¡¡¡forces¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spiritualists¡¡¡¡¡¡endow¡¡¡¡¡¡discarnate¡¡¡¡¡¡spirits£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
why¡¡¡¡¡¡should¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡otherwise¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡concerns¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡powers¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡divination£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡
explanation¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡taken¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡from¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡subconsciousness¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡direct£»¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
simplest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡nearest£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡whereas¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡endlessly¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡circuitous£»¡¡
complicated¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡distant¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡Until¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡spirits¡¡¡¡¡¡testify¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡their¡¡¡¡¡¡existence¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡
unanswerable¡¡fashion£»¡¡there¡¡is¡¡no¡¡advantage¡¡in¡¡seeking¡¡in¡¡the¡¡grave¡¡for¡¡the¡¡
solution¡¡of¡¡a¡¡riddle¡¡that¡¡appears¡¡indeed¡¡to¡¡lie¡¡at¡¡the¡¡roots¡¡of¡¡our¡¡own¡¡life¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡13¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡It¡¡is¡¡true¡¡that¡¡this¡¡explanation¡¡does¡¡not¡¡explain¡¡much£»¡¡but¡¡the¡¡others¡¡are¡¡
just¡¡as¡¡ineffectual¡¡and¡¡are¡¡open¡¡to¡¡the¡¡same¡¡objections¡£¡¡These¡¡objections¡¡
are¡¡many¡¡and¡¡various£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡is¡¡easier¡¡to¡¡raise¡¡them¡¡than¡¡to¡¡reply¡¡to¡¡them¡£¡¡
For¡¡instance£»¡¡we¡¡can¡¡ask¡¡ourselves¡¡why¡¡the¡¡subconsciousness¡¡or¡¡the¡¡spirits£»¡¡
seeing¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡read¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡future¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡able¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡announce¡¡¡¡¡¡an¡¡¡¡¡¡impending¡¡
calamity£»¡¡¡¡¡¡hardly¡¡¡¡¡¡ever¡¡¡¡¡¡give¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡useful¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡definite¡¡¡¡¡¡indication¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡
would¡¡allow¡¡us¡¡to¡¡avoid¡¡it¡£¡¡What¡¡can¡¡be¡¡the¡¡childish¡¡or¡¡mysterious¡¡reason¡¡
of¡¡this¡¡strange¡¡reticence£¿¡¡In¡¡many¡¡cases¡¡it¡¡is¡¡almost¡¡criminal£»¡¡for¡¡instance£»¡¡
in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡case¡¡¡¡¡¡related¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡Professor¡¡¡¡¡¡Hyslop£§1£§¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡see¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡foreboding¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
greatest¡¡misfortune¡¡that¡¡can¡¡befall¡¡a¡¡mother¡¡germinating£»¡¡growing£»¡¡sending¡¡
out¡¡¡¡¡¡shoots£»¡¡¡¡¡¡developing£»¡¡¡¡¡¡like¡¡¡¡¡¡some¡¡¡¡¡¡gluttonous¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡deadly¡¡¡¡¡¡plant£»¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡stop¡¡
short¡¡on¡¡the¡¡verge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡last¡¡warning£»¡¡the¡¡one¡¡detail£»¡¡insignificant¡¡in¡¡itself¡¡
but¡¡¡¡¡¡indispensable£»¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡saved¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡child¡£¡¡¡¡It¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡case¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
woman¡¡who¡¡begins¡¡by¡¡experiencing¡¡a¡¡vague¡¡but¡¡powerful¡¡impression¡¡that¡¡
a¡¡grievous¡¡¡¨burden¡¨¡¡was¡¡going¡¡to¡¡fall¡¡upon¡¡her¡¡family¡£¡¡Next¡¡month£»¡¡this¡¡
premonitory¡¡feeling¡¡repeats¡¡itself¡¡¡¡¡¡very¡¡frequently£»¡¡becomes¡¡¡¡¡¡more¡¡¡¡¡¡intense¡¡
and¡¡¡¡¡¡ends¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡concentrating¡¡¡¡¡¡itself¡¡¡¡¡¡upon¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡poor¡¡¡¡¡¡woman's¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡¡¡¡¡daughter¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡60¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡61¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡UNKNOWN¡¡GUEST¡¡
Each¡¡time¡¡that¡¡she¡¡is¡¡planning¡¡something¡¡for¡¡the¡¡child's¡¡future£»¡¡she¡¡hears¡¡a¡¡
voice¡¡saying£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨She'll¡¡never¡¡need¡¡it¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£§1£§¡¡Proceedings£»¡¡vol¡£¡¡xiv¡££»¡¡p¡£¡¡266¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡A¡¡week¡¡before¡¡the¡¡catastrophe£»¡¡a¡¡violent¡¡smell¡¡of¡¡fire¡¡fills¡¡the¡¡house¡£¡¡
From¡¡that¡¡time£»¡¡the¡¡mother¡¡begins¡¡to¡¡be¡¡careful¡¡about¡¡matches£»¡¡seeing¡¡that¡¡
they¡¡are¡¡in¡¡safe¡¡places¡¡and¡¡out¡¡of¡¡reach¡£¡¡She¡¡looks¡¡all¡¡over¡¡the¡¡house¡¡for¡¡
them¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡feels¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡strong¡¡¡¡¡¡impulse¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡burn¡¡¡¡¡¡all¡¡¡¡¡¡matches¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡kind¡¡¡¡¡¡easily¡¡
lighted¡£¡¡About¡¡an¡¡hour¡¡before¡¡the¡¡fatal¡¡disaster£»¡¡she¡¡reaches¡¡for¡¡a¡¡box¡¡to¡¡
destroy¡¡it£»¡¡but¡¡she¡¡says¡¡to¡¡herself¡¡that¡¡her¡¡eldest¡¡boy¡¡is¡¡gone¡¡out£»¡¡¡¡¡¡thinks¡¡
that¡¡she¡¡may¡¡need¡¡the¡¡matches¡¡to¡¡light¡¡the¡¡gas¡stove¡¡and¡¡decides¡¡to¡¡destroy¡¡
them¡¡as¡¡soon¡¡as¡¡he¡¡comes¡¡back¡£¡¡She¡¡takes¡¡the¡¡child¡¡up¡¡to¡¡its¡¡crib¡¡for¡¡its¡¡
morning¡¡sleep¡¡and£»¡¡as¡¡she¡¡is¡¡putting¡¡it¡¡into¡¡the¡¡cradle£»¡¡she¡¡hears¡¡the¡¡usual¡¡
mysterious¡¡voice¡¡whisper¡¡in¡¡her¡¡ear£º¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¨Turn¡¡the¡¡mattress¡£¡¨¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡But£»¡¡¡¡¡¡being¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡hurry£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡simply¡¡¡¡¡¡says¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡will¡¡¡¡¡¡turn¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
mattress¡¡after¡¡the¡¡child¡¡has¡¡taken¡¡its¡¡nap¡£¡¡She¡¡then¡¡goes¡¡downstairs¡¡to¡¡work¡£¡¡
After¡¡a¡¡while£»¡¡she¡¡hears¡¡the¡¡child¡¡cry¡¡and£»¡¡hurrying¡¡up¡¡to¡¡the¡¡room£»¡¡finds¡¡
the¡¡crib¡¡and¡¡its¡¡bedding¡¡on¡¡fire¡¡and¡¡the¡¡child¡¡so¡¡badly¡¡burnt¡¡that¡¡it¡¡dies¡¡in¡¡
three¡¡hours¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡14¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Before¡¡going¡¡further¡¡and¡¡theorizing¡¡about¡¡this¡¡case£»¡¡let¡¡us¡¡once¡¡more¡¡
state¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡matter¡¡¡¡¡¡precisely¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡reader¡¡¡¡¡¡may¡¡¡¡¡¡straightway¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡
quite¡¡legitimately¡¡deny¡¡the¡¡value¡¡of¡¡anecdotes¡¡of¡¡this¡¡kind¡£¡¡He¡¡will¡¡say¡¡that¡¡
we¡¡have¡¡to¡¡do¡¡with¡¡a¡¡neurotic¡¡who¡¡has¡¡drawn¡¡upon¡¡her¡¡imagination¡¡for¡¡all¡¡
the¡¡elements¡¡that¡¡give¡¡a¡¡dramatic¡¡setting¡¡to¡¡the¡¡story¡¡and¡¡surround¡¡with¡¡a¡¡
halo¡¡of¡¡mystery¡¡a¡¡sad¡¡but¡¡commonplace¡¡domestic¡¡accident¡£¡¡This¡¡is¡¡quite¡¡
possible£»¡¡and¡¡it¡¡is¡¡perfectly¡¡allowable¡¡to¡¡dismiss¡¡the¡¡case¡£¡¡But¡¡it¡¡is¡¡none¡¡the¡¡
less¡¡true¡¡that£»¡¡by¡¡thus¡¡deliberately¡¡rejecting¡¡everything¡¡that¡¡does¡¡not¡¡bear¡¡
the¡¡stamp¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡mathematical¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡judicial¡¡¡¡¡¡certainty£»¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡risk¡¡losing¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡go¡¡
along¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡opportunities¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡clues¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡great¡¡¡¡¡¡riddle¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡
world¡¡¡¡¡¡offers¡¡¡¡¡¡us¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡its¡¡¡¡¡¡moments¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡inattention¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡graciousness¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡At¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
beginning¡¡of¡¡an¡¡enquiry¡¡we¡¡must¡¡know¡¡how¡¡to¡¡content¡¡ourselves¡¡with¡¡little¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡61¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡62¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡UNKNOWN¡¡GUEST¡¡
For¡¡the¡¡incident¡¡in¡¡question¡¡to¡¡be¡¡convincing£»¡¡previous¡¡evidence¡¡in¡¡writing£»¡¡
more¡¡or¡¡less¡¡official¡¡statements¡¡would¡¡be¡¡required£»¡¡whereas¡¡we¡¡have¡¡only¡¡
the¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡declarations¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡husband£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡neighbour¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡sister¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡This¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡
insufficient£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡I¡¡¡¡agree£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡at¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡time¡¡¡¡¡¡confess¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
circumstances¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡hardly¡¡¡¡¡¡favourable¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡obtaining¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡proofs¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡
demand¡£¡¡Those¡¡who¡¡receive¡¡warnings¡¡of¡¡this¡¡kind¡¡either¡¡believe¡¡in¡¡them¡¡or¡¡
do¡¡not¡¡believe¡¡in¡¡them¡£¡¡If¡¡they¡¡believe¡¡in¡¡them£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡quite¡¡natural¡¡that¡¡they¡¡
should¡¡not¡¡think¡¡first¡¡of¡¡all¡¡of¡¡the¡¡scientific¡¡interest¡¡of¡¡their¡¡trouble£»¡¡or¡¡of¡¡
putting¡¡down¡¡in¡¡writing¡¡and¡¡thus¡¡authenticating¡¡its¡¡premonitory¡¡symptoms¡¡
and¡¡gradual¡¡evolution¡£¡¡If¡¡they¡¡do¡¡not¡¡believe¡¡in¡¡them£»¡¡it¡¡is¡¡no¡¡less¡¡natural¡¡
that¡¡they¡¡should¡¡not¡¡proceed¡¡to¡¡speak¡¡or¡¡take¡¡notice¡¡of¡¡inanities¡¡of¡¡which¡¡
they¡¡do¡¡not¡¡recognize¡¡the¡¡value¡¡until¡¡after¡¡they¡¡have¡¡lost¡¡the¡¡opportunity¡¡of¡¡
supplying¡¡¡¡¡¡convincing¡¡¡¡¡¡proofs¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡£¡¡¡¡Also£»¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡forget¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡little¡¡
story¡¡in¡¡question¡¡is¡¡selected¡¡from¡¡among¡¡a¡¡hundred¡¡others£»¡¡which¡¡in¡¡their¡¡
turn¡¡¡¡¡¡are¡¡¡¡¡¡equally¡¡¡¡¡¡indecisive£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡which£»¡¡¡¡¡¡repeating¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡same¡¡¡¡¡¡facts¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
same¡¡¡¡¡¡tendencies¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡¡¡¡¡strange¡¡¡¡¡¡persistency£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡by¡¡¡¡¡¡weakening¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡
inveterate¡¡distrust¡££§1£§¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡£§1£§¡¡¡¡¡¡See£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡particular£»¡¡¡¡¡¡Bozzano's¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡cases¡¡¡¡¡¡xlix¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡lxvii¡£¡¡¡¡These¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡two£»¡¡
especially¡¡case¡¡xlix¡££»¡¡which¡¡tells¡¡of¡¡a¡¡personal¡¡experience¡¡of¡¡the¡¡late¡¡W¡£¡¡T¡£¡¡
Stead£»¡¡are¡¡supported¡¡by¡¡more¡¡substantial¡¡proofs¡£¡¡I¡¡have¡¡quoted¡¡Professor¡¡
Hyslop's¡¡case£»¡¡because¡¡the¡¡reticence¡¡is¡¡more¡¡striking¡£¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡15¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡Having¡¡¡¡¡¡said¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡much£»¡¡¡¡¡¡in¡¡¡¡¡¡order¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡conciliate¡¡¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡part¡¡¡¡¡¡company¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
those¡¡who¡¡have¡¡no¡¡intention¡¡of¡¡leaving¡¡the¡¡terra¡¡firma¡¡of¡¡science£»¡¡let¡¡us¡¡
return¡¡to¡¡the¡¡case¡¡before¡¡us£»¡¡which¡¡is¡¡all¡¡the¡¡more¡¡disquieting¡¡inasmuch¡¡as¡¡
we¡¡may¡¡consider¡¡it¡¡a¡¡sort¡¡of¡¡prototype¡¡of¡¡the¡¡tragic¡¡and¡¡almost¡¡diabolical¡¡
reticence¡¡which¡¡we¡¡find¡¡in¡¡most¡¡premonitions¡£¡¡It¡¡is¡¡probable¡¡that¡¡under¡¡the¡¡
mattress¡¡there¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡stray¡¡¡¡match¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡the¡¡child¡¡discovered¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡struck£»¡¡
this¡¡is¡¡the¡¡only¡¡possible¡¡explanation¡¡of¡¡the¡¡catastrophe£»¡¡for¡¡there¡¡was¡¡no¡¡
fire¡¡¡¡¡¡burning¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡floor¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡house¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mother¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡
mattress£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡seen¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡match£»¡¡¡¡¡¡and£»¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡other¡¡¡¡¡¡hand£»¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡
would¡¡¡¡¡¡certainly¡¡¡¡have¡¡¡¡¡¡turned¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡mattress¡¡¡¡¡¡if¡¡¡¡¡¡she¡¡¡¡¡¡had¡¡¡¡¡¡been¡¡¡¡¡¡told¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡there¡¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡62¡¡
¡¡¡Page¡¡63¡
¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡THE¡¡UNKNOWN¡¡GUEST¡¡
was¡¡a¡¡match¡¡underneath¡¡it¡£¡¡Why¡¡did¡¡the¡¡voice¡¡that¡¡urged¡¡her¡¡to¡¡perform¡¡
the¡¡necessary¡¡¡¡action¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡¡¡¡¡add¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡word¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡was¡¡¡¡¡¡capable¡¡¡¡¡¡of¡¡¡¡¡¡ensuring¡¡
that¡¡¡¡¡¡action£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡The¡¡¡¡¡¡problem¡¡¡¡¡¡moreover¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡equally¡¡¡¡¡¡perturbing¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡perhaps¡¡
equally¡¡insoluble¡¡whether¡¡it¡¡concerns¡¡our¡¡own¡¡subconscious¡¡faculties£»¡¡or¡¡
spirits£»¡¡or¡¡strange¡¡intelligences¡£¡¡Those¡¡who¡¡give¡¡these¡¡warnings¡¡must¡¡know¡¡
that¡¡they¡¡¡¡will¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡useless£»¡¡because¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡manifestly¡¡¡¡foresee¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡event¡¡¡¡¡¡as¡¡¡¡¡¡a¡¡
whole£»¡¡¡¡¡¡but¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡must¡¡¡¡¡¡also¡¡¡¡¡¡know¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡one¡¡¡¡¡¡last¡¡¡¡¡¡word£»¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡do¡¡¡¡¡¡not¡¡
pronounce£»¡¡¡¡¡¡would¡¡¡¡¡¡be¡¡¡¡¡¡enough¡¡¡¡¡¡to¡¡¡¡¡¡prevent¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡misfortune¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡already¡¡
consummated¡¡in¡¡their¡¡prevision¡£¡¡They¡¡know¡¡it¡¡so¡¡well¡¡that¡¡they¡¡bring¡¡this¡¡
word¡¡to¡¡the¡¡very¡¡edge¡¡of¡¡the¡¡abyss£»¡¡hold¡¡it¡¡suspended¡¡there£»¡¡almost¡¡let¡¡it¡¡
fall¡¡and¡¡recapture¡¡it¡¡suddenly¡¡at¡¡the¡¡moment¡¡when¡¡its¡¡weight¡¡would¡¡have¡¡
caused¡¡happiness¡¡and¡¡life¡¡to¡¡rise¡¡once¡¡more£»¡¡to¡¡the¡¡surface¡¡of¡¡the¡¡mighty¡¡
gulf¡£¡¡What¡¡¡¡¡¡then¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡¡¡this¡¡¡¡¡¡mystery£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡Is¡¡¡¡¡¡it¡¡¡¡¡¡incapacity¡¡¡¡or¡¡¡¡¡¡hostility£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡they¡¡¡¡are¡¡
incapable£»¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡what¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡is¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡unexpected¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡sovereign¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡¡force¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡interposes¡¡
between¡¡them¡¡and¡¡us£¿¡¡And£»¡¡if¡¡they¡¡are¡¡hostile£»¡¡on¡¡what£»¡¡on¡¡whom¡¡are¡¡they¡¡
revenging¡¡themselves£¿¡¡What¡¡can¡¡be¡¡the¡¡secret¡¡of¡¡those¡¡inhuman¡¡games£»¡¡of¡¡
those¡¡¡¡¡¡uncanny¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡cruel¡¡¡¡¡¡diversions¡¡¡¡¡¡on¡¡¡¡¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡most¡¡¡¡¡¡slippery¡¡¡¡¡¡and¡¡¡¡¡¡dangerous¡¡
peaks¡¡of¡¡fate£¿¡¡Why¡¡warn£»¡¡if¡¡they¡¡know¡¡that¡¡the¡¡warning¡¡will¡¡be¡¡in¡¡vain£¿¡¡
Of¡¡whom¡¡are¡¡they¡¡¡¡making¡¡sport£¿¡¡¡¡¡¡Is¡¡there¡¡really¡¡an¡¡inflexible¡¡fatality¡¡¡¡by¡¡
virtue¡¡of¡¡which¡¡that¡¡which¡¡has¡¡to¡¡be¡¡accomplished¡¡is¡¡accomplished¡¡from¡¡
all¡¡eternity£¿¡¡But¡¡then¡¡why¡¡not¡¡respect¡¡silence£»¡¡since¡¡all¡¡speech¡¡is¡¡useless£¿¡¡
Or¡¡do¡¡they£»¡¡in¡¡spite¡¡of¡¡all£»¡¡¡¡¡¡perceive¡¡a¡¡gleam£»¡¡a¡¡crevice¡¡in¡¡the¡¡¡¡¡¡inexorable¡¡
wall£¿¡¡What¡¡hope¡¡do¡¡they¡¡find¡¡in¡¡it£¿¡¡Have¡¡they¡¡not¡¡seen¡¡more¡¡clearly¡¡than¡¡
ourselves¡¡that¡¡no¡¡deliverance¡¡can¡¡¡¡¡¡come¡¡through¡¡that¡¡crevice£¿¡¡One¡¡¡¡¡¡could¡¡
understand¡¡this¡¡fluttering¡¡and¡¡wavering£»¡¡all¡¡these¡¡efforts¡¡of¡¡theirs£»¡¡if¡¡they¡¡
did¡¡not¡¡know£»¡¡but¡¡here¡¡it¡¡is¡¡proved¡¡that¡¡they¡¡know¡¡everything£»¡¡since¡¡they¡¡
foretell¡¡¡¡¡¡exactly¡¡¡¡¡¡that¡¡¡¡¡¡which¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡¡¡¡¡might¡¡¡¡¡¡prevent¡£¡¡¡¡¡¡If¡¡¡¡¡¡we¡¡¡¡¡¡press¡¡¡¡¡¡them¡¡¡¡¡¡with¡¡
questions£»¡¡¡¡¡¡they¡¡