you should imagine this is a
deception, and I produce the smoke from my throat in some manner, will
you kindly try my esoteric tobacco, Sir? (_To a bystander, who, not
without obvious misgivings, takes a few whiffs and produces smoke,
as well as a marked impression upon the most sceptical spectators._)
Having thus proved to you the existence of a Spirit World, allow
me to inform you that this is nothing to the marvels to be seen
inside for the small sum of twopence, where I shall have the honour
of introducing to you Mlle. SCINTILLA, who is not only the most
extraordinary Scientific Wonder of the World, but also the loveliest
woman now living!

_The C.C._ 'Ere, _I'm_ comin' in, I am. I'm on to this. Where's my
friend? he'll pay for _me_. He promised to take care o' me, and I
can't trust myself anywhere without 'im.

[_He enters the Show, followed by the Tall Nonentity, and the
bulk of the bystanders, who feel that the veil is about to
be lifted, and that twopence is not an exorbitant fee for
initiation. Inside is a low Stage, with a roughly painted
Scene, and a kind of small Cabinet, the interior of which is
visible and vacant; behind the barrier which, separates the
Stage from the Audience stands Mlle. SCINTILLA, a young
lady in a crimson silk blouse and a dark skirt, who if
not precisely a Modern Helen, is distinctly attractive and
reassuringly material._

_The C.C._ Oh, I say, if this is a Mahatma, I _like_ 'em!

[_The Sibyl receives this tribute with a smile._

_The Sp. G._ (_appearing on the Stage as Showman_). Now, Ladies and
Gentlemen! (_There is one Lady present, who stands at the side, by
way of indicating that she declines to give the proceedings any
moral support whatever._) You all know that Adepts have the power
of disintegrating material objects and re-integrating them when
they please. I have here a hollow mask. (_He exhibits a Pantomime
demon head._) I place it upon the roof of this cabinet, which as
you perceive is empty. I raise it--and underneath you will see
materialised a wonderful young lady who consists of a head and nothing
else. (_He discovers the head of a very human young person with short
curly hair._) Now those of you who are unmarried would find this young
lady an admirable wife for a man of small income, for, having no body,
she will cost him nothing whatever for her food or frocks.

_The C.C._ (_with a touch of cynicism_). She'd make it