CHAPTER XXII.
MY UNBIDDEN GUEST DEPARTS.
Once more I must presume to interrupt this narrative, and call back thereader's thoughts from those mysterious caverns through which we havebeen tracing the rapid footsteps of the man who was abducted, and hisuncouth pilot of the lower realms. Let us now see and hear what tookplace in my room, in Cincinnati, just after my visitor, known to us asThe-Man-Who-Did-It, had finished reading to me, Lewellyn Drury, thecustodian of this manuscript, the curious chapter relating how theunderground explorers lost weight as they descended in the hollows ofthe earth. My French clock struck twelve of its clear silvery notesbefore the gray-bearded reader finished his stint for the occasion, andfolded his manuscript preparatory to placing it within his bosom.
"It is past midnight," he said, "and it is time for me to depart; but Iwill come to you again within a year.
"Meanwhile, during my absence, search the records, question authorities,and note such objections as rise therefrom concerning the statements Ihave made. Establish or disprove historically, or scientifically, anyportion of the life history that I have given, and when I return I willhear what you have to say, and meet your argument. If there is a doubtconcerning the authenticity of any part of the history, investigate; butmake no mention to others of the details of our meetings."
I sat some time in thought, then said: "I decline to concern myself inverifying the historical part of your narrative. The localities youmention may be true to name, and it is possible that you have related apersonal history; but I can not perceive that I am interested in eitherproving or disproving it. I will say, however, that it does not seemprobable that at any time a man can disappear from a community, as youclaim to have done, and have been the means of creating a commotion inhis neighborhood that affected political parties, or even led to anunusual local excitement, outside his immediate circle of acquaintances,for a man is not of sufficient importance unless he is very conspicuous.By your own admission, you were simply a studious mechanic, a credulousbeliever in alchemistic vagaries, and as I revolve the matter over, I amafraid that you are now trying to impose on my credulity. The story of aforcible abduction, in the manner you related, seems to me incredible,and not worthy of investigation, even had I the inclination to concernmyself in your personal affairs. The statements, however, that you makeregarding the nature of the crust of the earth, gravitation, light,instinct, and human senses are highly interesting, and even plausible asyou artfully present the subjects, I candidly admit, and I shall takesome pains to make inquiries concerning the recorded researches ofexperts who have investigated in that direction."
"Collect your evidence," said he, "and I shall listen to your views whenI return."
He opened the door, glided away, and I was alone again.