e, but it was far louder and more
rapid and decided than the usual _seance_ rap. There was no hesitation,
no gathering up of force. Any amount of vitality was evidently present,
and the intelligence, from whatever source, was unerring. The Countess
and I were the only two persons who held the alphabet and pointed, and
when _she_ held it the mediums could not have seen the letters from
their position at the table with regard to hers. Yet the letters were
banged out (I can use no other expression) with absolute accuracy, and
at a pace which, quick to start with, became more and more rapid as we
wearied of the monotonous task and handed the alphabet to each other in
turn.

When the name of GOD or of OUR LORD came, only the first letter was
indicated, and then the table swayed slowly to and fro in a very
reverent and characteristic way for a few seconds; after which we began
the alphabet again for the next word.

When these loud bangs came I could trace the reverberation in the wood,
and it seemed to me practically impossible that the Harpies could be
producing them by any unlawful methods, whilst sitting in full light and
with immovable faces, the daughter writing down the letters as quickly
as these were indicated.

One did not feel quite comfortable about making investigations in a
private house without being invited to do so.

Again, if the women were tricking, and I caught them at it, there was
always the chance of a disagreeable scene with people of their class.

On the other hand, it was losing a great opportunity, to refrain, as a
mere matter of courtesy. Also I comforted myself by thinking that if
anyone needed to feel ashamed it would be the ones who cheated, and not
the detective.

So I pushed my chair a little nearer to the table, and the next time the
Countess took the alphabet from me and the bangs were in full swing, I
put my foot cautiously but very effectually _entirely round the one leg
of the table, moving it also up and down freely_. Not a vestige of
another foot, nor even of the flimsiest particle of dress or other
obstruction! I could positively and distinctly hear the reverberation of
the loud bangs on the wood, _between me and the centre of the table_,
whilst my own leg and foot were firmly embracing the single wooden
pillar upon which the latter stood. So the Harpies were justified, so
far as this one phenomenon was concerned. The letters written down so
rapidly by the daughter on large sheet