"Are these wonderful phenomena described in books?" asked Riche. "Certainly," replied the professor, "they have been recorded in innumerable books for thousands of years past." "I should like to study the subject," added Riche. "Can you recommend me a good text book to commence my studies with?" "Begin by reading the four Gospels, and the Acts of the Apostles," said Delapine with a smile. "Are you serious, professor?" asked Riche. "Never more so, I assure you. I know no better books to begin your studies with. Jesus Christ was not only endowed with the greatest amount of psychic power the world has ever known, but all his disciples (with one important exception) were specially chosen for their mediumistic power. They failed to select psychists to replace them, and as they could not transmit the power, the moment they died all miracles, _i. e_., supernormal phenomena ceased. And now, my dear Villebois, pray bring me another table and remove this broken one." Villebois did as Delapine requested, and the guests sat down round it again. "I feel the presence of some spirit," Delapine remarked. "Let us put our hands on the table and find out if it is so. Everyone present will please keep his feet at the back of the chair as no one must touch the table with his foot, even by accident." Having assured himself that his instructions had been obeyed, he asked them all to join hands and to wait in silence. After waiting patiently ten minutes a slight tremor shook the table. "Three raps will mean 'yes,' two raps 'no.' "Are there any spirits present?" asked Delapine. Three knocks were heard and felt by all the sitters. "What is your name?" Slowly the raps spelt out M-a-r-i-a L-e-o-n-o-r-a. "Maria Leonora, why, that is my dear mother's maiden name," whispered Renée to Villebois. Again the raps spelt out M-a-r-i-a L-e-o-n-o-r-a. The financier turned pale as death, while Renée trembled all over. "I want Monsieur Delapine to retire to the cabinet, I think I can then collect power enough to appear and speak," was rapped out. Delapine leaned over to Riche and whispered in his ear, "Whatever you do, you must not disturb me nor touch any materialised form you may see without permission from the person. Get the camera ready and use your largest plate, and be prepared to expose by the magnesium light the instant when you get permission by the voice. Now put the red shade over the lamp and turn it down lower." In the meantime Delapine entered the cabinet and lay down on the couch which was the sole piece of furniture inside it. Immediately he fell into a kind of trance. The curtains were half open, and the guests could dimly observe him and hear his slow measured breathing. Slowly a mist seemed to issue forth from the cabinet which gradually condensed into the outlines of a woman attired in a black silk dress with a white lace collar.