Part 11 (1/2)

”There could have been no deception.”

”a.s.suredly not,” we all declared.

”Oh, certainly not--I have seen the thing twenty times,” said Mr.

Legare.

”And I indorse your declarations, sir; you were right. There was no deception--there is none! It is a purely mechanical phenomenon! But, listen! Spiritual powers reside in mechanical forces. Every year we live elucidates this mystery, though none but the deepest thinkers see this truth in all its importance. Look you! a savage thinks that there is a diabolism in the self-action of a watch--in the reflection of a looking-gla.s.s. We think both mysteries to be simple mechanical combinations! Pray look at the lock before us. I observe that it is Harmon's patent. Poor Harmon, a demented machinist, scarcely knew what he would be at, and so undertook to make an invaluable improvement in the common door-lock. This is one of his; its intricate machinery has got out of order, and hence 'the fantastic tricks before high heaven'

that these rooms have witnessed! I am about to take off the lock, to prove what I have stated, as well as to remedy the evil.”

”Oh, sir, that has been tried--I have seen it done--hope nothing from that!” exclaimed Mr. Legare.

”Patience, my dear sir!” said Frank Howard, taking up the tools with so much of the air of a man accustomed to the handling of them that old Mr.

Legare winced and fidgeted.

But Frank speedily took off the lock, and brought it to us for inspection.

”Here! you notice that nothing seems amiss,” he said.

”Nothing in the world--I told you that before,” replied Mr. Legare.

”Furthermore, if now I were to turn the key, it would remain turned.”

”Certainly, while the lock is off the door, it looks exactly right, and behaves exactly right; but just put it on the door and lock it, and in from ten to thirty minutes, more or less, it will fly open.”

”Exactly; that is what I am about to explain,” said Frank Howard, taking up a flat, smooth piece of board, and laying it upon the table; and then he took the lock, laid it on the board, screwed it tightly, turned the key and said:

”It is not the circ.u.mstance of this lock being attached to the door that has caused it to act in this manner; for I will prove to you that if the same lock be screwed tightly to any other resisting object--as, for instance, this board--it will act in the same irregular manner. Watch it now, and you will see.”

We did so, and in a few minutes we saw the catch fly back, as before.

”I will tell you the reason,” said Mr. Howard, uns.c.r.e.w.i.n.g the lock from the board and inviting us to look on.

”Now, though there seems to be no defect whatever in this lock, yet in truth the whole inside machinery has started slightly outward. This does not affect its right action while detached; but when attached, the continued pressure of the board to which it is fastened, gradually acts upon the spring, and causes the catch in a given time to fly back, and unlock, and the force with which this occurs opens the door. I can well imagine that such unexplained movements, occurring in the middle of the night, should have rather a supernatural effect. But the evil can be remedied in a few minutes.”

And then, while we were all dumb with astonishment, Frank Howard took up his tools, went to work, and in about twenty minutes fixed the inside of the lock, and replaced it on the door.

”Now,” said he, ”if ever this door comes open again without hands, I will consent to forfeit the fair reward of my triumph. And now, friends, I will go to work and mend the other.”

And, inviting us to precede him, he pa.s.sed out, locked the door, gave the key to Mr. Legare, and begged him to take notice that the door would remain fast until he (Mr. Legare) might choose to open it, or to give up the key.

We reached the other chamber door, where twenty minutes' work served to rectify the error. Then, locking that, as he had done the other, he called me to witness that it should remain fast until I should use, or give up the key that he placed in my charge.

We then went downstairs, Mr. Legare having one key safe in his pocket--I having the other secure in mine.

It was the last day of the old year, and company were expected in the evening--not to dance, but to watch it out.

Mrs. Legare went to attend to her extra housekeeping duties, and the young ladies retired to their chambers to arrange their dresses for the next day.

Mr. Legare, Frank Howard, my brother John, and the other gentlemen, took their guns and game-bags, called their dogs, and started off ”birding.”