The Human Chord

had been going a little too fast for him. Events had crowded past before he had time to look squarely at them. He had lost his bearings rather, routed by Miriam's beauty and by the amazing

f and Miriam-their voices, rather-were necessary for the success of the clergyman's mysterious experim

d for once proud of his name and personality, looked forward to being taken more into the heart of the af

he took, as though the smoke was afraid to enter beyond the front teeth, and with one finger he incessantly knocked off the ashes into his

n a capacious hand, in such a way that the square outline of his chin showed through the hair. His voice boomed musically,

of a country parish in Norfolk, I made a discovery-of a revolutionary descr

was obliged to put on one side until I inherited with this property the means and leisure which enabled me to continue my terrific-I say purposely terrific-

ough the mention of his name touched a

certain note-a certain tenor note." He released his beard, so that it flew out with a spri

a fluttering motion, hastily. "A

ergyma

m could stand the loneliness, the seclusion; and without exception, all of them were too worldly to make sacrifices. It was the salary they wanted. The majority, moreover, confused imagination with fancy, and courage with mere audacity. And, most serious of all, not one

royed his judgment. He longed to thank the girl for having approved him. "I'm glad my voice-er-suits your-chord." In his heart of hearts he understood something of what Mr. Skale was driving at, yet was half-ashamed to admit it even t

st build securely as we go, leaving nothing to chance. The grandeur and importance of my experiments demand it. Afterwards," and his expression changed to a sudden softness in a way that

e to ask-" A momentary bewilderment, caused by the great visag

esumed abruptly, "your religious beliefs, I mean. I

s way among the various creeds since Cambridge, and arrived at its present state of Belief in Ev

lieve i

ce, most certainly,"

spi

ated. He was a

the clergyman helped him; "ot

of evolution besides humanity. Such extraordinary Forces come blundering into one's life sometimes, and

I mean?" Mr. Skale put gravely to

d. There's ord

ount for something of valu

mething that includes me somewhere in a purpose of very gre

asked softly, after a moment's pause, leaning for

raordinary catechism was going to lead. But he answered at o

iling into the bearded visage before him

for you-going out like the fl

eve that, Mr. Skale. I continue

he fact that Mr. Skale was preparing the ground with such extraordinary thoroughness. This conversation was the first swell, as it were, rolling mysteriously in upon him from the ocean in whose deeps the great Experiment lay buried. Forces, tidal in strength, oceanic in volume, shrouded it just n

es and silvery voice, was continually peeping in upon his mind. He wondered where she was and what she was doing in the big, lonely house. He wished she could have been in the room to

m ordinary human ties, and so forth, you have no int

for the right words, still thinking of Miriam-"but I look forward, Mr. Skale; I look forward." He dropped back into the de

ded with increased gravity: "And therefore it would not be immoral of me to expose you to an experiment in which the penalty

mean; that's right," came the an

position before proceeding further. The gravity of my undertaking demands it. However, you must not let my words alarm you." He waited a moment, reflecting deeply. "You must regard them, if you will,

instantly wandered out to find her. The way the clergyman pronounced it increased its power, too, for no name he uttered sounde

modesty that forgets self, and the unworldly attitude that is essential. With your help I may encom

nly of three main desires: to pass the unknown tests, to learn the nature of Mr. Skale's discovery, with the experiment involved, and-to be with Miriam as much as possible. The whole affair was so unusual that he had already lost the common standards of

at at the end of our trial month you will have learned enough to enable you to form a d

fectly reasonable. In his mind he knew full well what his choice would be. This was the suprem