Price (quoting McVittie’s long-forgotten remark): They say it can vanish beneath the sea, and reappear in another place after remaining submerged for years.
McVittie: There’s somebody moving on it. Look. Among the trees.
Mr. Balbus: It’s Macconachie. (He hails the island. Macconachie comes ashore, and flits up to the house.)
Mr. Balbus (in a trembling voice): Where is she, Sir? Tell us where she is?
Macconachie: Emily Jane? She’s touring in America. Making a fortune.
Mr. Balbus: But will she come back, Sir?
Macconachie: If you need her sufficiently, and wish for her often enough, and believe with strength, she will assuredly come back.
Mr. Balbus: But why should she have been taken from us, Sir? We loved her, cared for her. She was happy with us.
“To carry my message to the hearts of men,” replies Macconachie, with a wistful smile. “I may need any of you in the future and then——” He pauses. “But till then farewell.” And he flits through the window; and the island submerges again. But the others sit in rapt silence, for they have seen beyond the veil.