"And would you mind telling me how that is possible?" inquired Paul.

"_Because I am the man Guir himself; and I have lived on through such
ages of agony that I have no longer the will or desire to appear
other than as the ancient wreck before you_."

Paul started.

"Do you mean to tell me then that I am talking to a ghost?" he cried
in dismay.

"As you please, Mr. Henley; but ghosts are not so different from
ordinary people--that is, when they have become materialized. I have
just now shown you the real condition of this old house, or rather
the way in which the majority of men see it. I do not hesitate,
therefore, to show you the ghost that haunts it; nor do I object to
explaining the dreadful cause of the haunting, or a little of the
philosophy of hauntings in general."

Paul looked aghast. Easy enough was it now to comprehend how the man
had talked so familiarly of death and the next life after having
actually crossed the threshold and passed into the realm of
experience. But there was something too real, too natural about this
personality to accept the remark as literal. Familiarity with Ah Ben
had shown him to be a man. Paul felt sure of it. And yet here were
revealed mysteries never dreamed of; one of which was even now
producing an occult spell. Henley drew a deep breath in agony of
spirit.