18 JANUARY 1908, Page 24

The Shadow of the Unseen. By Barry Pain and James

Blyth. (Chapman and Hall. 6s.)—This story begins with Planchette and ends with n terrible witch who lives in time East country, accompanied by a familiar in the shape of an abominable old heegent called Bel.' Though the modern part of the story is not specially interesting or original, the accounts of the Tower House

and of the witch Judith Jennie are decidedly eerie. Judith's incantation strikes a weird note m-

" The maid and the witch dance band in band

When the Black Man comes from the mash to land.

Sister is else; and sister am I, And one must lire, an' Vother must die— The ch'ice is the Maaster's. She or I?"

It is difficult, however, to believe that the idiot boy, Job Secret, would have disliked his patroness and become infatuated with the beautiful Linda. Lovers of the marvellous, especially .of the marvellous carefully arranged so as not unduly te strain their credulity, will enjoy this book.