I
will be outside the cabinet working the rappings, the floating
music, and the astral bodies." At the sight of the expression
these words brought to the face of Gaylor, Vance permitted
himself the shadow of a smile. "I can take care of myself," he
went on, "but remember -- Vera must not be caught outside the
cabinet! When the lights go up, she must be found with the ropes
still tied."
Gaylor turned from him with an exclamation of disgust.
"Pah!" he muttered. "It's a hell of a business!"
Vance continued unmoved. "And, another thing," he said, "about
these lights; this switch throws them all off, doesn't it?" He
pressed a button on the left of the door, and the electric
lights in the walls and under a green shade on the library table
faded and disappeared, leaving the room, save for the light from
the hall, in darkness.
"That's the way we want it," said the showman.
From the hall Mannie appeared between the curtains that hung
across the doorway. "What are you doing with the lights?" he
demanded. "You want to break my neck? All our people are
downstairs," he announced.
Vance turned on the lights. At the same moment Rainey came from
the bedroom into the library. It was evident that to sustain his
courage he had been drinking. He made no effort to greet those
in the room, but stood, glaring resentfully at the cabinet and
the row of chairs.
"Well," exclaimed Vance cheerfully, "if our folks are all here,
we're all right.
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