Page:Complete Works of Count Tolstoy - 18.djvu/299

 the Spaniard Don Castillos, and he told us everything. He told us who he was, and when he died, and that he was suffering for having taken part in the Inquisition. More than that: he informed us of what was taking place during the very time he was speaking with us, namely, while he was speaking with us he had to be reborn upon earth, and so he could not finish the conversation which he had begun— Well, you will see for yourself.

(interrupting him). Ah, how interesting! Maybe the Spaniard was born in our house, and is now a baby.

. Not impossible.

. I think it is time to begin.

. I only wanted to say—

. It is late already.

. Well, all right. So we can begin. Antón Borísovich, please, put the medium to sleep—

. How do you wish me to put the subject to sleep? There are many possible means. There is Brede's system, there is the Egyptian symbol, there is Charcot's system.

(to Professor). That makes no difference, I think.

. It is a matter of indifference.

. Then I will apply my own system, which I have demonstrated in Odessa.

. If you please!

(looking closely at him). He is falling asleep— He is asleep. A remarkably quick appearance of hypnosis! The subject has apparently already entered upon his anæsthetic condition. A remarkably, unusually receptive subject, and he might be subjected to interesting experiments! (Sits down, gets up, and again