The table began turning and tilting, and now the questions were plied. The first spirit to put in an appearance gave general advice about reading the Bible, and about faithful attendance at church. This advice seemed to make a deep impression on the circle. Asked his name, the spirit replied, "Moses." This gave Professor Bommeldoos the opportunity to inquire if Moses himself had written the Pentateuch. "Yes": was the reply. But when the Professor queried him in Hebrew, Moses said that the medium needed a brief rest; and after that rest he left it to some one else to make reply. In succession followed Homer and Cicero, who both lamented that they had not known the true faith; and after them Napoleon, who evinced great sorrow for the amount of blood he had caused to be shed. One could see that this gave the General food for reflection. But, save that all these people urged, in the main, the practice of purity and piety, it was unanimously demonstrated that Johannes and the countess were the ones from whose co-operation the greatest results were to be expected. They would have to study up these matters, and apply themselves to automatic writing. Then Johannes had to sit beside the countess and hold her hand, and thus, together, write down the communications of the spirits. This was a bitter-sweet experience for Johannes. Would Markus come now? But Markus did not come, nor any news of poor Heléne, nor of her father. Yet a spirit disclosed itself who treated this ideal society in a very impolite, bearish manner. He called himself Thomas, and would not reply when Bommeldoos asked him if he was Thomas the Apostle, or Thomas Aquinas, or Thomas à Kempis, or Thomas Morus. "Do you know us?" asked the Privy Counselor. "Yes, you are heathen and malefactors." "Will you help us?" "Confess, pray, and do penance," said Thomas. "Will you tell us something of the hereafter?" asked Countess Dolores, paling somewhat. "Hell, if you go on this way," said Thomas. "Then what must I do?" asked Dolores, almost trembling. "Be converted," was the reply. "That is all well and good," said Bommeldoos, "but I know at least twelve religions, and twice as many systems of philosophy. To which of them must we be converted?" "Be still, you heretic," was the parting shot. Such treatment as that was a bit too much for the learned Professor, and he declared he had had enough of it, and could better employ his time. The society was of one mind--that the manifestations this evening had not been propitious. The medium ascribed this to her own indisposition. She had suffered the entire day with a headache, and, moreover, there were--she was certain of it--unfavorable influences present. Saying this, she cast a reproachful glance at the Professor. "Oh, it was much more lively the last time," said the Honorable Lady. "Was it not truly extraordinary, General?"