The Ghost of Guir House

"It is not that so much," answered Paul, "as the regret I feel at

having left it all behind. When a man has only just begun to

experience the sensation of life--of real life--to find himself

suddenly plunged back into a dungeon with chains upon his shoulders,

you must admit the shock is terrible."

"Do I not know it?" answered the old man feelingly. "The return is

far more to be dreaded than the escape into that life which you were

at first inclined to call unreal; and yet, Mr. Henley, you must admit

that it is difficult to decide the question of reality between the

two worlds."

"True," answered Paul; "and yet I know that what I have just seen can

be nothing else than a hypnotic vision; it is impossible it should be

otherwise, for it has gone--and beyond my power to recall. What

amazes me to the point of stupefaction is the marvelous impression of

truth with which hypnotism can fill one. I had always imagined the

effect was more in the nature of a dream, but this was vivid, sharp,

and perfect as the everyday life about me. I am more bewildered than

I have words to express."

"And yet," answered Ah Ben, "you still insist that the things you saw

were unreal, because, as you say, they were the result of hypnotism.

It seems difficult to convince you of what I have already told you,

that hypnotism is not a cause of hallucination, but of fact. You

insist that because the minority of men only are subjected to

hypnotic tests, the impressions produced must be false. You will not

admit that a minority has any claim to a hearing, although their

evidence is based upon precisely the same testimony as that of the

majority--namely, the five senses. You have no better right to assume

that your present surroundings are any more truthfully reported by

your senses than those of your recent experience. You see, you hear

and touch; did you not do the same in Levachan?"

"I did, indeed," answered Paul, "and with a clearness that makes it

the more difficult to comprehend; still, of course, I know that the

vision of Levachan was a deception, while this is real!"

"And because you are convinced that a majority of men would see this

as you see it. What if it should be proved that you are wrong?"

"That would be impossible," answered Paul.

"You think so, indeed," answered the old man with a strange look in

his eyes; "and yet, if you will look above you and about you, you

will see for the first time the way in which this old house looks to

the great majority of mankind--indeed, to such a vast majority, Mr.

Henley--that your individual testimony to the contrary would be

regarded as the ravings of a madman. Look!"