A colonel's belief in spiritualism is challenged by a doctor's skepticism and the strange case of an invisible playmate. Colonel Hampton, a man who admits to a tactical procedure of lying with a fabric of truth, reveals his conviction in spiritualism to Doctor Vehrner. The doctor, while personally rejecting survival after death, acknowledges that such beliefs are not necessarily symptoms of psychosis. The narrative hints at a bizarre grindhouse classic, focusing on the colonel's peculiar tactical approach and his willingness to discuss his unconventional beliefs.

This short story, originally published in Weird Tales in 1951, is characterized by its unusual blend of science fiction elements and spiritualist themes. The premise, involving an invisible playmate and a colonel's tactical approach to deception and belief, suggests a narrative that leans into the bizarre and potentially unsettling. The dialogue between the colonel and the doctor frames the central conflict, exploring the boundaries between delusion and genuine belief. The story's classification as a 'grindhouse classic' implies a pulp sensibility, likely focusing on sensational or unconventional subject matter for its time.