Calm yourself, as to that; don't give yourself any uneasiness."

But why shouldn't it escape?"

Let it, if it wants to? What of it?"

Well, I should consider it a pretty serious calamity."

Why, my dear boy, once in my power, always in my power. It may go and

come freely. I can produce it here whenever I want it, just by the

exercise of my will."

"Well, I am truly glad to hear that, I do assure you."

"Yes, I shall give it all the painting it wants to do, and we and the

family will make it as comfortable and contented as we can. No occasion

to restrain its movements. I hope to persuade it to remain pretty quiet,

though, because a materialization which is in a state of arrested

development must of necessity be pretty soft and flabby and

substanceless, and--er--by the way, I wonder where It comes from?"

How? What do you mean?"

The earl pointed significantly--and interrogatively toward the sky.

Hawkins started; then settled into deep reflection; finally shook his

214

The American Claimant