"
He pushed Mannie toward the organ.
"Music!" growled Hallowell. "Must there be music?"
"It is indispensable," protested Vance. "Music, sir, is one of
the strongest psychic influences. It"
"Nonsense!" cried Hallowell.
"Tricks," he muttered, "tricks!"
Vance shrugged his shoulders, and smiled in deprecation. "I am
sorry to find you in a skeptical mood, Mr. Hallowell," he
murmured reprovingly "It will hardly help to produce good
results. Allow me," he begged, "to present two true believers."
With a wave of the hand he beckoned forward a stout, gray-haired
woman with bulging, near- sighted eyes that rolled meaninglessly
behind heavy gold spectacles.
"Mrs. Marsh of Lynn, Massachusetts," proclaimed Vance, "of whom
you have heard. Mrs. Marsh," he added, "is probably the first
medium in America. The results she has obtained are quite
wonderful. She alone foretold the San Francisco earthquake, and
the run on the Long Acre Square Bank."
"I am glad to know you," said Mr. Hallowell. "Pardon my not
rising."
The old lady curtsied obsequiously.
"Oh, certainly, Mr. Hallowell," she protested. "Mr. Hallowell,"
she went on, rolling the name delightedly on her tongue, "I need
not tell you how greatly we spiritualists rejoice over your
joining the ranks of the believers."
Hallowell nodded. He was not altogether unimpressed. "Thanks,"
he commented dryly. "But I am not quite there yet, madam."
"We hope," said Vance sententiously, "to convince Mr.
Pages:
97
98
99
100
101
102
103
104
105
106
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121