Heliobas appeared to read my thoughts, for he said, as though answering my unuttered question: 

“I do not accept fees, mademoiselle.  To relieve your mind from any responsibility of gratitude to me, I will tell you at once that I never promise to effect a cure unless I see that the person who comes to be cured has a certain connection with myself.  If the connection exists I am bound by fixed laws to serve him or her.  Of course I am able also to cure those who are not by nature connected with me; but then I have to establish a connection, and this takes time, and is sometimes very difficult to accomplish, almost as tremendous a task as the laying down of the Atlantic cable.  But in your case I am actually compelled to do my best for you, so you need be under no sense of obligation.”

Here was a strange speech—­the first really inexplicable one I had heard from his lips.

“I am connected with you?” I asked, surprised.  “How?  In what way?”

“It would take too long to explain to you just now,” said Heliobas gently; “but I can prove to you in a moment that a connection does exist between your inner self, and my inner self, if you wish it.”

“I do wish it very much,” I answered.

“Then take my hand,” continued Heliobas, stretching it out, “and look steadily at me.”

I obeyed, half trembling.  As I gazed, a veil appeared to fall from my eyes.  A sense of security, of comfort, and of absolute confidence came upon me, and I saw what might be termed the image of another face looking at me through or behind the actual form and face of Heliobas.  And that other face was his, and yet not his; but whatever it appeared to be, it was the face of a friend to me, one that I was certain I had known long, long ago, and moreover one that I must have loved in some distant time, for my whole soul seemed to yearn towards that indistinct haze where smiled the fully recognised yet unfamiliar countenance.  This strange sensation lasted but a few seconds, for Heliobas suddenly dropped my hand.  The room swam round me; the walls seemed to rock; then everything steadied and came right again, and all was as usual, only I was amazed and bewildered.

“What does it mean?” I murmured.

“It means the simplest thing in nature,” replied Heliobas quietly, “namely, that your soul and mine are for some reason or other placed on the same circle of electricity.  Nothing more nor less.  Therefore we must serve each other.  Whatever I do for you, you have it in your power to repay me amply for hereafter.”

I met the steady glance of his keen eyes, and a sense of some indestructible force within me gave me a sudden courage.

“Decide for me as you please,” I answered fearlessly.  “I trust you completely, though I do not know why I do so.”

“You will know before long.  You are satisfied of the fact that my touch can influence you?”