The Monticellonian., 1917-02-15

tie Greek was Tn America as his governments representative to some international congress, l think of penologists, at Boston, and after he, had withdrawn from 1t In disgust he made my house his Headquarters while he engaged in some special research work The ac- quaintance ripened so rapidly into friendship, and then into intimacy, that when the doctor invited me to ac- company him to Europe, where he had some engagements to fulfill, l could not resist the opportunity My prae- tice was almost entirely hospital work, and fortunately 1 found no difficulty in obtaining representative to fill my post during my absence.
 So much to explain how we hap pened to be in England during the glo- rious summer of 1911. Immanuel found England to his liking, chiefly, think, because medical men there ex- tended a more kindly attention to his theories, although I fear he made few converts. Immanuers claim that re- incarnation would be found to solve most of the problems of abnormal psychic states could not be expected to find recruits in a century still dom- mated by Huxley and Haeckel and the great materialists. Nowhere, 1 fancy, can one find more stubborn, out and out doctrinaires than among medical men. But the doctor did not mind He wtnt blandly about his way, win ming friends, disarming enemies, and, incidentally, making cures.
 When Sir John Carfax invited us to spend a week at his fine old mansion in Buckinghamshire we both accepted with considerable satisfaction. Sir Johns place was one of the historic county seats of England Originally a priory. it had been confiscated from the order by Henry VIII and given to Francis Carfax, shrewd lawyer of that age, for services rendered in con- nection with that monarch's marriage to Anne Boleyn. From him 1t had passed down to Sir John in the direct line, but never through the immediate heir. This Sir John explained to us as he conveyed us from Great Marlow station in his automobile.
 T mentioned to you, Doctor Imman- uel, that my son, my only child, is dangerously ill" he said. Yes. he's dying, and I know it, doctor, and there is no power on earth can save him unless you He broke off T know you have accomplished wonderful cures he continued. T can't pretend to believe in what you believe, but" Here he ended, for his tongue was running away with him. and the blunt country gentleman was no metaphysi- clan or flatterer. either.
 But you are willing to stake your faith against your unbelief," said Doc tor Immanuel cheerfully. "Goodi am no faith healer, Sir John; I believe even the most orthodox of my oppo- nents have never accused me of any but orthodox methods of practice My theories, you understand, are the base on which I stand to take action. But to believe-why, abuse me as much as you please. whether succeed or fail'
 I was sure no one could ever abuse the kindly little man as I saw him ar guirG excitedly with Sir John As have Said, he disarmed all his enemies. But 1t was hard to ask twentieth century English gentleman to accept reincarnation.
 If you can save him. doctor" con- tinued our host, T can only say that you will have my deepest gratitude. But fear it Is hopeless He will be the last of the line, and his mother Is daad oha1l payor marry apaip
 Why are you so Respondent as to the possibility of cure?" asked I'm manuel.
 Sir John looked at our faces search ingly You have never heard of the Carfax curse?' he asked. Well perhaps it is regarded as an amusing superstition even In England, among those who have heard of it. But among those who know it is anything but jest. Doctor Immanuel. for nearly four hundred years the first born son of the Carfaxes has died in childhood. Arthur is seventeen: he has outlived them all But he. too, must go. I know 1t. It was prophesied by the last prior Ignatius, as he strode out of the chapel after his last mass there.
 Those curses are potent things" said Immanuel. So much l know They do come true, by reason of the strong subconscious impression which they leave behind, to be transmitted from generation to generation. Of course the curse is nothing. But if man begets son. believing that he will never grow to manhood, and if he bases his life upon that theory-why. it generally comes true. But I inter- rupted you"
 The last prior. Ignatius. made this prophecy to Francis Carfax, my an cestor. somewhere about the year 1545," said Sir John Carfax That the priory should never descend from father to son through the first born until the priors should come to Carfax again and replace the altar cloth upon the altar"
 The altar cloth?"
 Yes, a famous relic, said to have been brought into England by Edward the Confessor, and reputedly of great sanctity The priors are supposed to have taken 1t away with them. It was never found. But now, you see, if the prophecy has been fulfilled since 1545. what hope has Arthur"
 What do the doctors say is the