earl's face began to glow with an inspiration, and he said, impressively:

Hawkins, this materialization is a grander and nobler science than we

have dreamed of. We have little imagined what a solemn and stupendous

thing we have done. The whole secret is perfectly clear to me, now,

clear as day. Every man is made up of heredities, long-descended atoms

and particles of his ancestors. This present materialization is

incomplete. We have only brought it down to perhaps the beginning of

this century."

"What do you mean, Colonel!" cried Hawkins, filled with vague alarms by

the old man's awe-compelling words and manner.

This. We've materialized this burglar's ancestor!"

Oh, don't--don't say that. It's hideous."

But it's true, Hawkins, I know it. Look at the facts. This apparition

is distinctly English--note that. It uses good grammar--note that. It is

an Artist--note that. It has the manners and carriage of a gentleman--

note that. Where's your cow-boy? Answer me that."

Rossmore, this is dreadful--it's too dreadful to think of!"

Never resurrected a rag of that burglar but the clothes, not a solitary

rag of him but the clothes."

207

The American Claimant