“You are a student of spiritism?” he said, eyeing me sharply. “The sentries have told me.”
“Well?” I ventured.
“Have you much studied the subject?”
“So-so,” said I.
“How much do you know about it? I, too, am interested.”
(I wondered what was up. Was I going to be punished?)
“The Commandant also is interested in these matters,” he went on insinuatingly, “and many officers have written to England of what you are doing.”
I thought I was “for it,” and fought for time. “I refer you to my friends for what I have done,” said I. “Captain Freeland, for instance.”
“Can you read the future?” he asked. “I have some questions.”
“What?” (I breathed again.)