Across the Zodiac | Page 3

I replied, "like every other class, their especial bias, their
peculiar professional temptation. The anti-religious bigotry of Positivists is quite as bitter
and irrational as the theological bigotry of religious fanatics. At present the two powers
countervail and balance each other. But, as three hundred years ago I should certainly
have been burnt for a heretic, so fifty or a hundred years hence, could I live so long, I
should be in equal apprehension of being burnt by some successor of Mr. Congreve, Mr.
Harrison, or Professor Huxley, for presuming to believe in Providential government."

"The intolerance of incredulity," returned Colonel A----, "is a sore subject with me. I
once witnessed a phenomenon which was to me quite as extraordinary as any of the
'spiritual' performances. I have at this moment in my possession apparently irresistible
evidence of the reality of what then took place; and I am sure that there exists at a point
on the earth's surface, which unluckily I cannot define, strong corroborative proof of my
story. Nevertheless, the first persons who heard it utterly ridiculed it, and were disposed
to treat me either as a madman, or at best as an audacious trespasser on that privilege of
lying which belonged to them as mariners. I told it afterwards to three gentlemen of
station, character, and intelligence, every one of whom had known me as soldier, and I
hope as gentleman, for years; and in each case the result was a duel, which has silenced
those who imputed to me an unworthy and purposeless falsehood, but has left a heavy
burden on my conscience, and has prevented me ever since from repeating what I know
to be true and believe to be of greater interest, and in some sense of greater importance,
than any scientific discovery of the last century. Since the last occasion on which I told it
seven years have elapsed, and I never have met any one but yourself to whom I have
thought it possible to disclose it."
"I have," I answered, "an intense interest in all occult phenomena; believing in regard to
alleged magic, as the scientists say of practical science, that every one branch of such
knowledge throws light on others; and if there be nothing in your story which it is
personally painful to relate, you need not be silenced by any apprehension of
discourteous criticism on my part."
"I assure you," he said, "I have no such wish now to tell the story as I had at first. It is
now associated with the most painful incident of my life, and I have lost altogether that
natural desire for sympathy and human interest in a matter deeply interesting to myself,
which, like every one else, I felt at first, and which is, I suppose, the motive that prompts
us all to relate often and early any occurrence that has keenly affected us, in whatever
manner. But I think that I have no right to suppress so remarkable a fact, if by telling it I
can place it effectually on record for the benefit of men sensible enough to believe that it
may have occurred, especially since somewhere in the world there must yet exist proof
that it did occur. If you will come to my rooms in ---- Street tomorrow, Number 999, I
will not promise, but I think that I shall have made up my mind to tell you what I have to
tell, and to place in your hands that portion of the evidence which is still at my
command--evidence that has a significance of its own, to which my experience is merely
episodical."
I spent that evening with the family of a friend, one of several former officers of the
Confederacy, whose friendship is the one permanent and valuable result of my American
tour. I mentioned the Colonel's name, and my friend, the head of the family, having
served with him through the Virginian campaigns, expressed the highest confidence in
his character, the highest opinion of his honour and veracity; but spoke with bitter regret
and pain of the duels in which he had been engaged, especially of one which had been
fatal; remarking that the motive in each instance remained unknown even to the seconds.
"I am sure," he said "that they were not, could not have been, fought for the one cause
that would justify them and explain the secrecy of the quarrel--some question involving
female honour or reputation. I can hardly conceive that any one of his adversaries could

have called in question in any way the personal loyalty of Colonel A----; and, as you
remarked of General M----, it is too absurd for a man who had faced over and over again
the fire of a whole brigade, who had led charges against fourfold