Part 36 (2/2)

Good-by!”

Kate was quivering with excitement. ”Morton, that settles it for me.

That certainly was 'Loggy.' Oh, I wish mother could have spoken.”

Morton's voice was eager and penetrating as he said: ”Mrs. Lambert, I would like to place my hand on your daughter's arm again, I must be permitted to demonstrate conclusively that she has had nothing to do with the handling of the horn.”

”I will ask the 'guides.' Father, can Professor Serviss--”

Three feeble raps antic.i.p.ated her question.

”They say 'yes'--but they are very doubtful--so please be very gentle.”

Serviss rose, his blood astir. At last he was about to remove his doubt--or prove Viola's guilt. ”Doctor,” he said, and his voice was incisive, ”take the other side and place a hand on her wrist. That will be permitted?” he asked.

Three raps, very slow and soft, a.s.sented.

Clarke interposed. ”I am impressed, gentlemen, to say: Let each of you put one hand on the psychic's head, the other on her arm.”

”We will do so,” replied Weissmann, cheerfully.

With a full realization of the value of this supreme test of Viola's honor, Morton laid his right hand lightly on her wrist. At the first contact she started as though his fingers had been hot iron, and he was unpleasantly aware that her flesh had grown cold and inert. He spoke of this to Weissmann, who replied: ”Is that so! The hand which I clasp is hot and dry, which is a singular symptom.” Then to the others: ”I am now holding both her hands. One is very hot, the other cold and damp and I feel no pulse.”

”She is always so,” Mrs. Lambert explained. ”She seems to die for the time being.”

”That is very strange,” muttered Weissmann. ”May I listen for her heart-beat?” Three raps a.s.sented, and a moment later he said, with increased excitement: ”I cannot detect her heart-beat.”

Clarke rea.s.sured him. ”Do not be alarmed. She is not dead. Proceed with your experiment.” There was a distinct note of contempt in his voice.

As Morton laid his hand upon the soft coils of her hair Viola again moved slightly, as a sleeper stirs beneath a caress, disturbed yet not distressed--to settle instantly into deeper dream.

”We are ready,” called Weissmann. ”Whatever happens now Miss Lambert is not the cause. Take Mr. Clarke's hands in yours--”

”Mrs. Lambert's also,” added Morton.

”Our hands are all touching,” answered Kate.

”Now, let us see!” cried Weissmann, and his voice rang triumphantly.

”Now, spirits, to your work!”

Clarke laughed contemptuously. ”You scientists are very amusing. Your unbelief is heroic.”

As they stood thus a powerful revulsion took place in Morton's mind, and with a painful constriction in his throat he bowed to the silent girl, and with an inconsistency which he would not have published to the world, he prayed that something might happen--not to demonstrate the return of the dead but to prove her innocence.

As he waited the pencil began to tap on the table, and with its stir his nerves took fire. A leaf of paper flew by, brus.h.i.+ng his face like the wing of a bird. A hand clutched his shoulder; then, as if to make every explanation of no avail, the room filled with fairy unseen folk.

Books began to hurtle through the air and to fall upon the table. A banjo on the wall was strummed. The entire library seemed crowded with tricksy pucks, a bustling, irresponsible, elfish crew, each on some inconsequential action bent; until, as if at a signal, the megaphone tumbled to the floor with a clang, and all was still--a silence deathly deep, as if a bevy of sprites, frightened from their play, had whirled upward and away, leaving the scene of their revels empty, desolate, and forlorn.

”That is all,” said Clarke.

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