bag is given for inspection, the bag is opened and the handkerchief found inside. This strengthens the effect of the trick, inasmuch as it convinces the onlookers that the medium certainly must have been got out by the aid of spirits, as the handkerchief--a very small article, in comparison to the body of the medium--could not be removed until the string had been released from the bag. Mediums are great judges of human nature; they know full well the usual action of the human mind, the direction the thoughts are liable to travel in. This is part of their stock-in-trade--to try to do just such things as the handkerchief “dodge,” in order to convince the skeptic of the truth of the wonders witnessed. CHAPTER VIII. SÉANCES AND MISCELLANEOUS SPIRIT TRICKS. A test which made the Eddy Brothers famous was their “light” and “dark” séances. Horatio Eddy gave what he termed a “light séance,” and William was famous for the “dark séance.” Instead of using a cabinet of wood, Horatio formed one simply by stretching a couple of shawls or curtains across a corner of the room, thus making a triangular inclosure. A table containing the usual musical instruments, bells, tambourine, guitar, etc., is placed in this space. The medium sits on a chair in front of this curtain, to the left hand side. Next to him, on his right, sits a gentleman selected from the audience, and to the right of this gentleman, a lady similarly chosen. William Eddy now pins across the breasts of the two gentlemen a third shawl, attaching the ends to the curtain. (Fig. 39.) Previously to this, however, Horatio has grasped with both his hands the gentleman’s left arm; the lady is requested to grasp the gentleman’s right arm. In this position neither can make a movement but what one of the others would be immediately cognizant of it. Presently there is a commotion among the articles on the table behind the screen; they appear floating in the air above the top of the curtains, some coming through and tapping the trio on the head. A hand comes through the curtain and writes a message on the slate held by William Eddy. Numerous other tests are performed--all in subdued light, not darkness. Now, to raise the veil from this mystery: In grasping the left arm of the person in the center, the medium first grasps the gentleman’s left arm with his, the medium’s, left hand, fingers being spread apart as far as possible. With this hand he presses quite hard, and takes a light hold of the same arm, but above the left hand. If the medium gently and carefully removes the right hand, the action cannot, by sense of touch, be detected. Sometimes, so as to enable him to use both hands, another ruse is also employed. A piece of heavy sheet lead is cut in the shape of the medium’s hand. This is placed in his left hand. With this hand he grasps the skeptic’s arm. Being made of lead, the hand easily conforms or bends to the shape of the arm, and, what is more, if the real hand of the medium be quietly