"He's got a whole stock of 'em," broke in Dick quickly, "ranging from the Pharaohs down to the middle ages, but I think the Garsworth body is the first time his soul has used any fleshly envelope in our modern days."
"Curious mania," said Nestley reflectively, "if he isn't mad he's very near it."
"But what has all this incarnation humbug to do with his miserly habits," said Beaumont impatiently, "he doesn't want to pass his existences in being miserable."
"That's the very thing," explained Reginald calmly, "it appears that in some of his previous existences he suffered from poverty, so in order to arrest such a calamity, he is saving up all his money in this existence to spend during his next incarnation."
"Oh, he's quite mad," said Nestley decisively.
"But how does he propose to get hold of the money?" observed Beaumont disbelievingly; "he'll be in another body, 'and won't have any claim to the Garsworth estate."
"That's his secret," said Dick Pemberton, "nobody knows; queer yarn, isn't it?"
"Very," said Nestley, deeply interested. "I should like to study the case. Does he live by himself?"
"No, his cousin, Una Challoner, lives with him," interposed Blake hurriedly, the colour flushing in his face.
"Ah," thought Beaumont, noting this, "case of love, I see. I suppose Miss Challoner does not believe in his mad theories?" he added aloud.