Part 20 (1/2)

In a voice that trembled with eagerness and excitement, he whispered: ”Henry, I have a feeling that we are going to witness a remarkable phenomenon.”

Gaylor's countenance grew preternaturally grave. He nodded heavily.

”I have the same feeling, Stephen,” he returned.

Vance raised his hand to command silence.

”Every one,” he called, ”except the committee, who are to bind and tie the medium, will take the place I give him, and remain in it. Mr. Day will please acquaint Miss Vera and Mrs. Vance with the fact that we are ready.”

Up to this point Vance had appeared only as a stage manager. He had been concerned with his groupings, his lights, in a.s.signing to his confederates the parts they were to play. Now that the curtain was to rise, as an actor puts on a wig and grease paint, Vance a.s.sumed a certain voice and manner. On the stage the critics would have called him a convincing actor. He made his audience believe what he believed. He knew the eloquence of a pause, the value of a surprised, unintelligible exclamation. One moment he was as professionally solemn as a ”funeral director;” the next, his voice, his whole frame, would shake with excitement, in an outburst of fanatic fervor. As it pleased him he could play Hamlet, tenderly shocked at the sight of his dead father, or Macbeth, retreating in horror before the ghost of Banquo. For the moment his manner was that of the undertaker.

”Now, Mr. Hallowell,” he said hoa.r.s.ely, ”please to name those you wish to serve on the committee.”

Mr. Hallowell waved his arm to include every one in the room.

”Everybody will serve on the committee,” he declared. ”Everything is to be open and above-board. The whole city is welcome on the committee. I want this to be above suspicion.”

”That is my wish, also, sir,” said Vance stiffly. ”But a committee of more than three is unwieldy. Suppose you name two gentlemen and I one?

Or,” he shrugged his shoulders, ”you can name all three.”

After a moment of consideration Mr. Hallowell pointed at Lee. ”I choose Mr.--that young man,” he announced, ”and Judge Gaylor.”

”I would much rather not, Stephen,” Judge Gaylor whispered.

”I know, Henry,” answered the other. ”But I ask it of you. It will give me confidence.” He turned to Vance. ”You select some one,” he commanded.

With a bow, Vance designated the tall German.

”Will Professor Strombergk be acceptable?” he asked. Mr. Hallowell nodded.

”Then, the three gentlemen chosen will please come to the cabinet.”

Vance, his manner now that of a master of ceremonies, a.s.signed to each person the seat he or she was to occupy. Miss Coates with satisfaction noted that only Mrs. Vance separated Lee from the electric switch.

”I must ask you,” said Vance, ”to keep the sears I have a.s.signed to you.

With us tonight are both favorable and unfavorable influences. And what I have tried to do in placing you, is to obtain the best psychic results.” He moved to the door and looked into the hall, then turned, and with uplifted arm silently demanded attention.

”Miss Vera,” he announced. Followed closely, like respectful courtiers, by Mannie and Mrs. Vance, Vera appeared in the doorway, walked a few feet into the room, and stood motionless. As though already in a trance, she moved slowly, without volition, like a somnambulist. Her head was held high, but her eyes were dull and unseeing. Her arms hung limply.

She wore an evening gown of soft black stuff, that clung to her like a lace shawl, and which left her throat and arms bare. In spite of the clash of interests, of antagonism, of mutual distrust, there was no one present to whom the sight of the young girl did not bring an uneasy thrill. The nature of the thing she proposed to do, contrasted with the loveliness of her face, which seemed to mock at the possibility of deceit; something in her rapt, distant gaze, in the dignity of her uplifted head, in her air of complete detachment from her surroundings, caused even the most skeptical to question if she might not possess the power she claimed, to feel for a moment the approach of the supernatural.

The voices of the committee, consulting together, dropped suddenly to a whisper; the others were instantly silent.

In his arms Mannie carried silken scarfs, cords, and ropes. In each hand he held a teacup. One contained flour, the other shot. Vance took these from him, and Mannie hurriedly slipped into his chair in front of the organ.

”Gentlemen,” explained Vance, ”you will use these ropes and scarfs to tie the medium. Also, as a further precaution against the least suspicion of fraud, we will subject her to the most severe test known.

In one hand she will hold this flour; the other will be filled with shot. This will make it impossible for her to tamper with the ropes.”

He gave the two cups to Gaylor, and turned to Vera.