Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/222

 (smiling). I do not deny. But you will admit that, not having seen all that of which you speak, it is hard for one of our kind, who are not initiated in the matter, to believe it.

. You say you cannot believe it. But we do not even demand faith. We demand that you investigate it. How can I help not believing in this ring? I received my ring from there.

. From there? From where?

. From the other world. Yes.

(smiling). Very interesting! Very interesting!

. Granted, you think that I am easily carried away, that I imagine that which is not; but Aleksyéy Vladímirovich Krugosvyétlov is not so easily to be brushed aside,—he is a professor, and he acknowledges all that. Nor is he alone in this. And Crooks? And Wallace?

. I do not deny. All I say is that it is very interesting. It would be interesting to know how Krugosvyétlov explains it.

. He has a theory of his own. Come to see us this evening. At first Grossman will—you know he is a famous mind-reader.

. Yes, I have heard of him, but have never had a chance of seeing him.

. So come! At first Grossman, and then Kápchich, and our mediumistic séance—(To Iványch). Has the messenger come back from Kápchich?

. Not yet.

. How am I to find out?

. Come, come all the same! If Kápchich will not come, we will find another medium. Márya Ignátevna is a medium, not so strong as Kápchich, but still a medium.