"Now, it's easier to explain what about," said Mr Fotheringay; and proceeded to lengthy and involved narrative strange experiences, beginning affair lamp Long Dragon and complicated by persistent allusions to Winch As he went on, the transient pride Mr Maydig's consternation had caused passed away; he became the very ordinary Mr Fotheringay of everyday intercourse again Mr Maydig listened intently, the tobacco-jar hand, bearing changed also course narrative Presently, while Mr Fotheringay was dealing miracle third egg, the minister interrupted with fluttering, extended hand

" possible," " credible amazing, , but it reconciles number of amazing difficulties The power to work miracles is gift--a peculiar quality like genius or second sight; hitherto it very rarely and to exceptional people But in . always wondered miracles of Mahomet, and at Yogi's miracles, miracles of Madame Blavatsky But, --Yes, simply gift ! It carries out so beautifully the arguments great thinker"-- Mr Maydig's voice sank--"his Grace the Duke of Argyll Here we plumb some profounder law--deeper ordinary laws of nature Yes--yes Go on Go on ! "

Mr Fotheringay proceeded misadventure with Winch, and Mr Maydig, no longer overawed or scared, began to jerk his limbs about and interject astonishment "It's this what troubled me most," proceeded Mr Fotheringay; "it's this I'm most mijitly in want of advice for; he's at San Francisco--wherever San Francisco --but it's awkward for both of us, 'll see, Mr Maydig I don't see how understand what has happened, and I daresay he's scared and exasperated something tremendous, and trying at me I daresay he keeps on starting off here I back, by miracle, every few hours, when of it And, , that's thing he won't to understand, and it's bound to annoy him; and, , if he takes ticket every time cost him lot of money I done the best for him, but, , it's difficult for him himself in my place afterwards that his clothes got scorched, --if Hades is all it's supposed --before I shifted him case I suppose they'd have locked him up in San Francisco I willed him new suit of clothes on him directly of it But, , I'm already in deuce of tangle----"

Mr Maydig looked serious " in tangle Yes, it's difficult position How to end it . " He became diffuse and inconclusive

"However, we'll leave Winch for little and discuss the larger question I don't think case black art or anything sort I don't think any taint of criminality at all, Mr Fotheringay--none whatever, unless suppressing material facts No, it's miracles--pure miracles--miracles, if say so, very highest class "

He began to pace the hearthrug and gesticulate, while Mr Fotheringay sat arm table head arm, looking worried "I don't see how I'm to manage about Winch,"

"A gift of working miracles--apparently very powerful gift," said Mr Maydig, " way about Winch--never fear My , most important man--a man most astonishing possibilities As evidence, for example ! And in other ways, the things do . "

"Yes, I've thought of thing or two," said Mr Fotheringay "But-- things came bit twisty You saw that fish at first ? Wrong sort of bowl and wrong sort of fish And I'd ask someone "

"A proper course," said Mr Maydig, "a very proper course--altogether the proper course " He stopped and looked at Mr Fotheringay "It's practically an unlimited gift test your powers, for instance really are . really are all they "

And so, incredible as it may seem, study little house behind the Congregational Chapel, evening of Sunday, Nov 10, 1896, Mr Fotheringay, egged on and inspired Maydig, began to work miracles The reader's attention is specially and definitely called date object, probably has already objected, that certain points story are improbable, that if any things sort already described had indeed occurred, been in all the papers The details immediately following particularly hard to accept, because among other things they involve the conclusion that he or she, the reader , must killed in violent and unprecedented manner more than year ago Now miracle is nothing improbable, and as matter of fact the reader was killed in violent and unprecedented manner in 1896 subsequent course story become perfectly clear and credible, as every right-minded and reasonable reader will admit But the place end story, being but little beyond the hither side middle And at first the miracles worked Fotheringay were timid little miracles--little things cups and parlour fitments, as feeble miracles of Theosophists, and, feeble were, they were received with awe by his collaborator preferred to settle the Winch business out of hand, but Mr Maydig let him But after they had worked dozen domestic trivialities, their sense of power grew, their imagination began to show signs of stimulation, and their ambition enlarged Their first larger enterprise was due to hunger negligence of Mrs Minchin, Mr Maydig's housekeeper The meal minister conducted Mr Fotheringay was certainly ill-laid and uninviting as refreshment for two industrious miracle-workers; but they were seated, and Mr Maydig was descanting in sorrow rather than in anger upon his housekeeper's shortcomings, before it occurred to Mr Fotheringay that an opportunity lay before him "Don't , Mr Maydig," , " isn't liberty, I_----"

"My Fotheringay ! ! No--I didn't think "

Mr Fotheringay waved his hand "What shall ? " , in large, inclusive spirit, and, at Mr Maydig's order, revised the supper very thoroughly "As ," , eyeing Mr Maydig's selection, " always particularly fond of tankard of stout and nice Welsh rarebit, and I'll order that I ain't much given to Burgundy," and forthwith stout and Welsh rarebit promptly appeared at his command They sat long at their supper, talking like equals, as Mr Fotheringay presently perceived, with glow of surprise and gratification, of all the miracles presently do "And, by-the-by, Mr Maydig," said Mr Fotheringay, " perhaps to --in domestic way "

"Don't quite follow," said Mr Maydig, pouring out glass of miraculous old Burgundy

Mr Fotheringay helped himself to second Welsh rarebit out of vacancy, and took mouthful " thinking," , " able (_chum, chum_) to work (_chum, chum_) miracle with Mrs Minchin (_chum, chum_)--make her better woman "

Mr Maydig put down the glass and looked doubtful

"She's----She strongly objects to interference, , Mr Fotheringay And--as matter of fact--it's well past eleven and she's probably in bed and asleep , whole----"

Mr Fotheringay considered these objections "I don't see shouldn't in her sleep "

For time Mr Maydig opposed the idea, and then he yielded Mr Fotheringay issued his orders, and little less at their ease, perhaps, the two gentlemen proceeded with their repast Mr Maydig was enlarging changes he might expect housekeeper , with an optimism, that seemed even to Mr Fotheringay's supper senses little forced and hectic, when series of confused noises from upstairs began Their eyes exchanged interrogations, and Mr Maydig left the room hastily Mr Fotheringay heard him calling up housekeeper and then his footsteps going softly her

In minute or so the minister returned, his step light, his face radiant "Wonderful ! " , "and touching ! Most touching ! "

He began pacing the hearthrug "A repentance--a most touching repentance-- crack door Poor woman ! most wonderful change ! She had got up She got up at once She had got up out of her sleep to smash private bottle of brandy in her box And to confess it too ! . But this gives us--it opens--a most amazing vista of possibilities work this miraculous change in her . "

"The thing's unlimited seemingly," said Mr Fotheringay "And about Mr Winch----"

"Altogether unlimited " And hearthrug Mr Maydig, waving the Winch difficulty aside, unfolded series of wonderful proposals-- proposals he invented as he went along