human
Goldberg is right; we are acting like children. In the name of God let us face this thing the way men ought to face it and lay dead the bugaboo, if it is a bugaboo, or face squarely the facts, if there's really something in it to fear. Let us once and for all do away with this damnable thing. If it's a shadow let's exorcise it. If it's something else, let's find out what it is. None of us believe in ghosts. Well--
gpt
Professor, it's a great break for us that you're here. Won't you help us, won't you--
human
Yes, Professor, your presence here is fortunate, almost providential. You can help us. Your interest in such things and your success in the solution of many apparently insoluble affairs is known to all of us. While we are between us able to cope with most of the things that arise, you, an outsider, without having your emotions involved may see more clearly than we, aside from your undoubted talents in this direction.
gpt
Tell him the story, Isaac, tell him the story, broke in William Flynn, who, up to this time, had not spoken.
human
Let us have the benefit of Professor Brierly's opinion anyway.
gpt
I have taken the liberty, said McCall,
human
Just what do you gentlemen fear? asked Professor Brierly.
gpt
What Mr. McCall told me is after all fairly vague, certainly nothing to cause practical men to react as--as you seem to. You receive notice that one of your friends has died; he committed suicide. An hour later you receive word that another also committed suicide. Certainly death in men of your age is not uncommon. Suicide, of late, according to the records, is also common, fairly common. You seem to fear some personal malign influence at work. The fact that up to yesterday there were fourteen out of an original two hundred and thirty-seven seems to disprove such a theory. I have not available actuarial figures, but it seems to me that fourteen out of two hundred and thirty-seven, about six per cent, is a fairly high record of longevity. Are you certain that you have not permitted yourselves to brood on this '14' until it has become an obsession?
human
Would all of us brood on this, Professor? Are we the kind of men to permit--
gpt
Each of you individually might not, Senator, stated Professor Brierly.
human
All of you together, talking of it, thinking of it, might, much more easily than each of you singly. There is a mass hysteria that is just as potent in a small group as in a large gathering. He spoke more gently.
gpt
I am sorry. This is not the question. You are all disturbed. Let us first learn if the thing that disturbs you has substance or is a mere shadow. That is the thing you all desire, is it not?
human
Very well, then, about this number '14.' Is that real or is it mythical?
gpt
At one time, Professor, it was real enough, but, turning to Marshall,
human
When did we last hear of--
gpt
We have not heard of Amos Brown--alive, since 1902.
human
But, spoke up Stanislav Vasiliewski, quietly,
gpt
That's it, growled McGuire,
human
We have not. We have not heard of him alive, nor do we know that he is dead. We know in police circles that men can disappear for a great many years. We have received those damnable notes with the number '14.' That's no proof that he's alive, but--
gpt
Let us start this inquiry at the nearest point. Let us begin with the known, if possible, and work forward or backward to the unknown. About which phase of this entire matter are you gentlemen principally disturbed?