"It is well," said the Priestess. "Remember, please, I make no claims to magic or to witchcraft. I have, within myself, some inexplicable, some mysterious power that enables me to see clairvoyantly through material substances. I have also an occult power which allows me to see happenings at a distance or in the past as if they were transpiring here and now. These two powers are at your disposal, but further than that I cannot go. I cannot answer questions, unless they come within the range of the two conditions I have mentioned to you just now. I cannot read the future or tell fortunes. I can only see what is shown to me, and if I disappoint you, I cannot help it. Now let us proceed. I will ask you each to write a question on a slip of paper and enclose it in an envelope. Sign your name to your question and seal the envelope securely." "Old stuff," said Bobsy Roberts to Barry, in a low whisper. But Barry shook his head. He would not commit himself until the experiment was over. "Will you get some paper and envelopes?" asked Orienta. "Any sort will do." Barry rose and went to the desk nearest to him. There was a small paper pad, and in a pigeon-hole were several small envelopes. "Will these do?" he asked. "Any kind will do," said Orienta, wearily, rather than petulantly. Bobsy looked at her closely. Surely she wasn't at all particular about the materials used. He must watch carefully for hocus pocus, if he was to discover any. "Ink or pencil?" said Barry. "It doesn't matter," and Orienta was almost irritated now. "I'm not doing legerdemain tricks, with prepared paraphernalia!" Barry, a little embarrassed, picked up a pencil, but in trying it, broke off its point. So he took ink, and wrote on the top slip of the pad a short question. This he tore off and passed the pad to Joyce. At last, each had written a question, signed the slip, tucked it in an envelope and sealed the envelope. Also each put a small private mark on the outside of his or her envelope to distinguish it again. "Collect them, Mr. Roberts, please," said Orienta, with a gentle smile. Bobsy put the five envelopes in a little pack and held them. "Now," said Orienta, "I propose to read these questions in the dark and without opening the envelopes. It is no trick, as you can readily see for yourselves, but I must ask you to sit quietly and not ask questions until I have finished. Then ask whatever you choose. If you please, Mr. Roberts, hand me the envelopes, and then turn off the lights. Or, stay, turn off the lights first, that there may be no chance of my seeing even a mark on the outside." Bobsy did exactly as directed. Orienta sat in a large chair, facing the others, who sat in a row before her. The lights were arranged so that Bobsy might turn off all at the main switch, save one small table light, which would give him opportunity to regain his seat, and then this could be also turned off.