The voices of the committee, consulting together, dropped
suddenly to a whisper; the others were instantly silent.
In his arms Mannie carried silken scarfs, cords, and ropes. In
each hand he held a teacup. One contained flour, the other shot.
Vance took these from him, and Mannie hurriedly slipped into his
chair in front of the organ.
"Gentlemen," explained Vance, "you will use these ropes and
scarfs to tie the medium. Also, as a further precaution against
the least suspicion of fraud, we will subject her to the most
severe test known. In one hand she will hold this flour; the
other will be filled with shot. This will make it impossible for
her to tamper with the ropes.
He gave the two cups to Gaylor, and turned to Vera.
"Are you ready?" he asked. After a pause, the girl slightly
inclined her head. Lee, with one of the scarfs in his hand,
approached her diffidently. He looked unhappily at the slight,
girlish figure, at the fair white arms. In his embarrassment he
appealed to Vance.
"How would you suggest?" he asked.
Vance, apparently shocked, hastily drew away. "That would be
most irregular," he protested.
Apologetically Lee turned to the girl.
"Would you mind putting your arms behind you?" he asked. He
laced the scarf around her arms, and drew it tightly to her
wrists.
"Tell me if I hurt you," he murmured, but the girl made no
answer. To what was going forward she appeared as unmindful as
though she were an artist's manikin.
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