I cannot say, however, from my own knowledge that the modern theosophists really possess the powers that they claim." "Are they a vindictive class of people ?" I asked.

"Is there any offence among them which can only be expiated by death ?" "Not that I know of," my father answered, raising his white eyebrows in surprise.

"You appear to be in an inquisitive humour this afternoon--what is the object of all these questions?
Have our Eastern neighbours aroused your curiosity or suspicion in any way ?" I parried the question as best I might, for I was unwilling to let the old man know what was in my mind.

No good purpose could come from his enlightenment; his age and his health demanded rest rather than anxiety; and indeed, with the best will in the world I should have found it difficult to explain to another what was so very obscure to myself.

For every reason I felt that it was best that he should be kept in the dark.
Never in all my experience had I known a day pass so slowly as did that eventful 5th of October.