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.

"Are you ready?" he asked. After a pause, the girl slightly inclined
her head. Lee, with one of the scarfs in his hand, approached her
diffidently. He looked unhappily at the slight, girlish figure, at the
fair white arms. In his embarrassment he appealed to Vance.

"How would you suggest?" he asked.

Vance, apparently shocked, hastily drew away. "That would be most
irregular," he protested.

Apolog