it." "Very well," said the other; "it is an experience that many prefer to go through for themselves." "Do you have names in this spirit-land?" asked Brenton, seemingly desirous of changing the subject. "Yes," was the answer; "we are known by names that we have used in the preparatory school below. My name is Ferris." "And if I wish to find you here, how do I set about it?" "The wish is sufficient," answered Ferris. "Merely wish to be with me, and you _are_ with me." "Good gracious!" cried Brenton, "is locomotion so easy as that?" "Locomotion is very easy. I do not think anything could be easier than it is, and I do not think there could be any improvement in that matter." "Are there matters here, then, that you think could be improved?" "As to that I shall not say. Perhaps you will be able to give your own opinion before you have lived here much longer." "Taking it all in all," said Brenton, "do you think the spirit-land is to be preferred to the one we have left?" "I like it better," said Ferris, "although I presume there are some who do not. There are many advantages; and then, again, there are many--well, I would not say disadvantages, but still some people consider them such. We are free from the pangs of hunger or cold, and have therefore no need of money, and there is no necessity for the rush and the worry of the world below." "And how about heaven and hell?" said Brenton. "Are those localities all a myth? Is there nothing of punishment and nothing of reward in this spirit-land?" There was no answer to this, and when Brenton looked around he found that his companion had departed. [Illustration: Venice.] CHAPTER III.