every time
manipulates the paper in the way I have described. When rubbing his
fingers over the question, he often shuts the eye which is toward the
inquirer--which prevents suspicion; but the other eye is open wide
enough to enable him to read the question through the paper.

Should a person write a test-question, the medium could not answer it
correctly even if he did see it. In his "communications" he uses many
terms of endearment, and if possible flatters the recipient out of his
common-sense, and into the belief that "after all there may be something
in it!"

Should the inquirer "smell a rat," and take measures to prevent the
medium from learning, in the way I have stated, what question is
written, he (the medium) gets nervous and discontinues the "sitting,"
alleging that conditions are unfavorable for spirit-communication.

CHAPTER XII.

SPIRITUAL "LETTERS ON THE ARM."--HOW TO MAKE THEM YOURSELF.--THE
TAMBOURINE AND RING FEATS.--DEXTER'S DANCING HATS.--PHOSPHORESCENT
OIL.--SOME SPIRITUAL SLANG.

The mediums produce "blood-red letters on the arm" in a very simple way.
It is done with a pencil, or some blunt-pointed instrument, it being
necessary to bear on hard while the movement of writing is being
executed. The pressure, though not sufficient to abrade the skin, forces
the blood from the capillary vessels over which the pencil passes, and
where, when the reaction takes place, an unusual quantity of blood
gathers and becomes plainly visible through the cuticle. Gradually, as
an equilibrium of the circulation is restored, the letters pass away.

This "manipulation" is generally produced by the medium in connection
with the ballot-test. Having learned the name of an investigator's
spirit-friend, in the manner stated in a previous article, the
investigator is set to writing some other names. While he is thus
occupied, the medium quickly slips up his sleeve under the table, and
writes on his arm the name he has learned.

Try the experiment yourself, reader. Hold out your left arm; clench the
fist so as to harden the muscle a little, and write your name on the
skin with a blunt pencil or any similar point, in letters say
three-quarters of an inch long, pressing firmly enough to feel a little
pain. Rub the place briskly a dozen times; this brings out the letters
quickly, in tolerably-distinct red lines.

On thick, tough skins it is difficult to produce letters in this way.
They might also be outlined