"That is very convenient for one who has stated his beliefs so doggedly. Certainly I do not think that is English; if it is, I am glad I am not an Englishman." With this he fixed his eyes steadily on me, and tried to fasten my attention, but did not at the time succeed. "I was asked for my opinion," I said; "I did not force it. But still, since you place it in that light, I _should_ like to be convinced." By this time the interest manifested in the matter was great. Every one watched breathlessly for what was to be done or said next, and certainly I felt that I was regarded by the guests in anything but a favourable light. I saw Voltaire and Kaffar exchanging glances, and I felt sure that I heard the former say in Arabic, "Not yet." After this the two arranged to give us some manifestations of their power. While they were conversing I went across the room and spoke to Miss Forrest; but she was very reserved, and I thought her face looked very pale. "This is becoming interesting," I said. "I wish you had said nothing about his story," was her reply. "Pray why?" She only shook her head. "Surely you do not believe in his foolish story or conjuring tricks?" I said laughingly. But she did not reply in the same vein. "Mr. Voltaire is a wonderful man," she said, "a clever man. If I were a man I should not like to make him my enemy." "I have heard of an old saying at my home," I replied, "which ran something like this, 'Brag is a good dog, but Holdfast is better.'" "Still I should have nothing to do with Brag," she said. "I hope you will not," I replied meaningly. She did not answer me, but I fancied she blushed; and again I felt happy. By this time Voltaire was ready with his performance. "You will see," he said, "that here we have no chance for stage tricks. All is plain and open as the day. Moreover, I will have no secrets from you even with regard to the subject itself. The phenomena that will be brought before you are purely psychological. The mind of my friend Kaffar will be, by a secret power, merged into mine. What I see he will see, although in your idea of the matter he does not see at all. Now, first of all, I wish you to blindfold my friend Kaffar. Perhaps Mr. Blake, seeing he longs for truth, may like to do this. No? Well, then, perhaps our host will. Thank you, Mr. Temple." With this Tom Temple completely blindfolded the Egyptian, and then we awaited the further development of the matter. "Would you mind leading him to the library?" Voltaire continued. "He will certainly not be able to see anything of us here, and still he will not be out of earshot." Kaffar was accordingly led into the library, blindfolded. "Now," said Voltaire, "I told you that by a secret power his mind and mine became one. I will prove to you that I have not spoken boastingly. Will any gentleman or lady show me any curiosity he or she may have?"