I am the Truth.

Spirit Franchezzo is speculating what his next adventure will be when a couple of spirit-lives hurry to him.  

They ask if he is not a member of the Brotherhood of Hope since―if so―they have a message for him from a dearly loved friend on earth, and one of his guides has sent them to deliver it.  

At first, Spirit Franchezzo was very pleased as he thought it was his darling, and that they were sent from her, since they did not have the appearance of most of the dark spirits around. 

Their robes shone with a peculiar blue grey light that was almost like a mist clothing them and Spirit Franchezzo had some trouble to make out their faces.  

When he did so, he could not help starting, and a feeling of distrust crept over him, for the flickering veil of grey blue gauze that interposed between them became so thin that he could see a couple of most repulsive dark spirits under it. 

Faithful Friend quietly pressed his arm as a warning. 

Spirit Franchezzo addressed them with caution and asked what was their message.

In the name of the Prophet, began one, we are to tell you that your love is very ill and prays that you return to earth to see her without delay, lest her spirit will have passed before you arrive to the realms where you cannot follow her.  

We are to show you the way to reach her quickly.

How long, he asked eagerly, is it since you left her?

Not two days, was the reply, and we are to bring you immediately. 

Your Eastern guide is with her and has sent us specially.

Then Spirit Franchezzo knew they were lying, for his Eastern guide had just left them and he had said no word of his beloved being ill.  

But he temporised with them, and said―

Give me the secret sign of our brotherhood since unless you do so, I am unable to go with you.

The veil of gauzy mist was fast fading from them and he could see their dark forms growing more distinct beneath.  

Spirit Franchezzo did not, however, show them that he saw this. 

They did not answer immediately, but were whispering to each other. 

Spirit Franchezzo continued―

If our guide has sent you, you will surely give me the countersign of our order?

Surely yes. Certainly I can. Here it is―Hope is Eternal―and he smiled with an air of great frankness.

Good, said Spirit Franchezzo, go on―finish it.

Finish it! Is there more you want? and he stood puzzled.

The other nudged him and whispered something―

Hope is Eternal and Truth is ―and Truth is―ha―hum―what, amico?

Inevitable, said the other.

Spirit Franchezzo smiled most blandly on them both―

You are so clever, friends―no doubt you can now give me the symbol?

Symbol? Diavolo! There was no symbol we were to give.

Was there not?  said Spirit Franchezzo.  

Then I must be the one to give it to you.

They both raised their arms to make a grab at him. 

Spirit Franchezzo saw one had a withered hand and he knew directly to whom he was indebted for this little plot. 

As they rush at him, he stepped back and made the sign of the sacred symbol of Truth in all ages and all worlds.

At this they cowered down on the ground as though he had struck them and rendered them unconscious. 

They left them there to ruminate at their leisure.

Spirit Franchezzo asked Faithful Friend as they moved away what he thought they would do now.

In a short time, he said, they will recover.  

You have given them a shock, and for the moment stunned them, but they will be up after us again before long with some fresh devilment they will have hatched.  

If you had gone with them they would have led you into the morass beyond and left you to wander about half-choked if they did you no more serious harm. 

You must always remember that they have great power in their own sphere if you give yourself up to their guidance in any sense.