“That can’t be right,” objected Phil, as he complied, “else Ben wouldn’t be here. He led a sinful life. But seriously, things have happened which require explanation. Let’s tick ’em off: One; Ben breaks a leg last night, it’s all healed this morning.”.”Wait a minute-are we sure he broke his leg?”
“I’m sure. Furthermore, our host acted as if he thought so too-else why did he bother to carry him? Two; our host has direct perception, or an uncanny knowledge of the mountainside.”
“Speaking of direct perception,” said Joan, “have either of you tried to look around you and size up the place?”
“No, why?”
“Neither have I.”
“Don’t bother to. I tried, and it can’t be done. I can’t perceive past the walls of the room.”
“Hmm-we’ll put that down as point three. Four, our host says that his name is Ambrose Bierce. Does he mean that he is the Ambrose Bierce? You know who Ambrose Bierce was, Joan?”
“Of course I do-I got eddication. He disappeared sometime before I was born.”
“That’s right-at the time of the outbreak of the first World War. If this is the same man, he must be over a hundred years old.”
“He didn’t look that old by forty years.”
“Well, we’ll put it down for what it’s worth. Point five-We’ll make this one an omnibus point-why does our host live up here? How come this strange mixture of luxury hotel and cliff dwellers cave anyhow? How can one old man run such a joint? Say, have either of you seen anyone else around the place?”
“I haven’t,’ said Ben. “Someone woke me, but I think it was Ambrose.”
“I have,” offered Joan. “It was a woman who woke me. She offered me this dress.”
“Mrs. Bierce, maybe?”
“I don’t think so-she wasn’t more than thirty — five. I didn’t really get acquainted-she was gone before I was wide awake.”
Phil looked from Joan to Ben. “Well, what have we got? Add it up and give us an answer.”
“Good morning, young friends!” It was Bierce, standing in the doorway, his rich, virile voice resounding around the many-sided room. The three started as if caught doing something improper.
Coburn recovered first. He stood up and bowed. “Good morning, sir. I believe that you saved my life. I hope to be able to show my gratitude.”
Bierce bowed formally. “What service I did I enjoyed doing, sir. I hope that you are all rested?”
“Yes, thank you, and pleasantly filled from your table.”
“That is good. Now, if I may join you, we can discuss what you wish to do next.
Is it your pleasure to leave, or may we hope to have your company for a while longer?'”
“I suppose, said Joan, rather nervously, that we should get started down as soon as possible.
How is the weather?”
“The weather is fair, but you are welcome to remain here as lo ng as you like.
Perhaps you would like to see the rest of our home and meet the other members of our household?”
“Oh, I think that would be lovely!”
“It will be my pleasure, ma’am.”
“As a matter of fact, Mr. Bierce — ” Phil leaned forward a little, his face and manner serious.
” — we are quite anxious to see more of your place here and to know more about you. We were speaking of it when you came in.”
“Curiosity is natural and healthy. Please ask any question you wish.”.”Well — ”
Phil plunged in. “Ben had a broken leg last night. Or didn’t he? It’s well this morning.”
“He did indeed have a broken leg. It was healed in the night.”
Coburn cleared his throat. “Mr. Bierce, my name is Coburn I am a physician and surgeon, but my knowledge does not extend to such healing as that. Will you tell me more about it?”
“Certainly. You are familiar with regeneration as practiced by the lower life forms. The principle used is the same, but it is consciously controlled by the will and the rate of healing is accelerated. I placed you in hypnosis last night, then surrendered control to one of our surgeons who directed your mind in exerting its own powers to heal its body.”