nounced that she must relapse into a state of clairvoyance, in order
to get in touch with Tillie Toot, a certain spirit from whom she could
learn all that Gladys and Shiel wanted to know. Accordingly, in the
manner of most other two-guinea clairvoyants, she composed herself in
a graceful and recumbent attitude, made a lot of queer grimaces and
still queerer noises, and spoke in a falsetto voice, which purposed to
be that of Tillie Toot, once a barmaid in Edinburgh, now one of
Madame's familiar spirits. And the gist of what "Tillie" told them was
that Hamar & Co. derived their powers from Black Magic; and that the
secrets thereof could only be learned from Madame, after a series of
sittings with her--sittings for which Madame would only require a fee
of fifty guineas: a most moderate, in fact quite trifling, sum,
considering the wonderful instruction they would receive.

But Madame's magnanimous offer tempted neither Gladys nor Shiel; and
they abruptly took their departure.

Kateroski (_nee_ Jones) in Regent Street, whom Gladys and Shiel had
agreed to consult in the event of a non-successful visit to Madame
Elvita in Bond Street, also told them that Black Magic was the key to
Hamar, Curtis & Kelson's performances. She advised them to get on the
Astral Plane, where they would meet spirits who would give them all
the information they desired.

Madame Kateroski's instructions were simple. "It is really a matter of
faith," she said. "All you have to do is to go to some secluded
spot--the privacy of your bedroom will do admirably--sit down, close
your eyes, look into your lids and concentrate hard. After a while you
will no longer see your eyelids--your lids will fade away and you will
be on the Astral Plane, and see strange creatures, which, although
terrifying, won't harm you. When you get used to them, you will
communicate with them, and learn from them all you want to know."

"Shall we try?" Gladys remarked laughingly to Shiel, as they stepped
into the street. "But if faith is essential to success, I fear
failure, as far as I am concerned, is a foregone conclusion. I know I
shouldn't have sufficient faith."

"Nor I either," Shiel said. "But, perhaps, we could acquire a
necessary amount of it, if we were to experiment together. Supposing
we try in that delightfully secluded copse in your garden."

Gladys shook her head. "I'm afraid it would be useless. Besides, if my
father were to hear of it, he would fear worry had