A QUESTION OF FACT.

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 17021, 18 December 1920, Page 8

A QUESTION OF FACT.

SIR ARTHUR CONAN D.OYLE'S REPLY. TO THE EDITOR 0* "THE PRESS." Si r> —I am amazed that the death of so well-known a man as Professor Hyslop should be unknown in New Zealand, and still more that it should'be imagined that I, who devote my life'to this study, could "possibly inako a mistake upon so important a point. I had intended to say "some time," and if I said "some years," it was certainly a slip of Dho tongue. It may have been early in the present year, or it may lilave T>con late in the past one, but that he is doad is absolutely cer'tain. It is difficult for me to giro an exact date w'hcn I am away from all my -means of reference. Yours faithfully, ARTHUR CONAN DOYLE. TO THE EDITOR OF "THE PBESB." Sir, —It is becoming positively painful, and is a grave reflection on myself considering all the years I have been teaching you. Of- course, the audienco believed Sir Arthur's statement about Professor Hyslop. There may havo been some who t'houglit it ''grunting, jabbering stuff," as General Booth onco inelegantly described trance talk. There tbust have been many, who felt a- little catch at their breath when Tissot's sweetheart appealed. I feel sorry for tine person who was not touched by the wistfully lovely, slightly startled' look on the pretty.*girlish face, contrasting as it did with tliat of the stately Abdullah who was assisting her. One oould admiro the art in tfhe pose of the figures and the contrast of the faccs, if nothing else. I imagine I can liflar Sir Arthur's quiet.chuckle when he sees your "Question of Fact" column. It was about six montHs ago that all our psychic papers had long obituaries of Professor Hyslop. He is dead sure enough. Please let me tell Mr Diirrad we cannot detain any spirit against its will on ite onward (it might not be upward) march. I once had a friend come back and tell me he was in hell. He said: I "They tell me hero tihnt" you on vour | side can help such as mo* better than ( those on this side can," which may be taken to mean that we here are pretty close to hell, a3 a Scotch shepherd I once had alwa3*s used to maintain be-forez-he had breakfast; as the dav wore on, hell receded. Stead's Julia* wtficn asked what she did, said that cmptving hells was their greatest joy. Yours, etc., PETER TROLOVE.