“Will you take these now?” asked Gaylor, and into her open palms he poured the flour and shot. “And, now,” continued Lee, “will you go into the cabinet?” As she seated herself, he knelt in front of her and bound her ankles. From behind her Strombergk deftly wound the ropes about her body and through the rungs and back of the chair. “Would you mind seeing if you can withdraw your arms?” Lee asked. The girl raised her shoulders, struggled to free her hands, and tried to rise. But the efforts were futile. “Are the gentlemen satisfied?” demanded Vance. The three men, who had shown but little heart in the work, and who were now red and embarrassed, hastily answered in the affirmative. “If you are satisfied the ropes are securely fastened,” Vance continued, “you will take your seats.” Professor Strombergk, as he moved to his chair, announced in devout, solemn tones; “Nothing but spirit hands can move those ropes now.” From the organ rose softly the prelude to a Moody and Sankey hymn, and, in keeping with the music, the voice of Vance sank to a low tone. “We will now,” he said, “establish the magnetic chain. Each person will take with his right hand the left wrist of the person on his or her right.” He paused while this order was being carried into effect. “Before I turn out the lights,” he continued, “I wish to say a last word to any skeptic who may be present. I warn him that any attempt to lay violent hands upon the apparition, or spirit, may cost the medium her life. From the cabinet the medium projects the spirit into the circle. An attack upon the spirit, is an attack upon the medium. There are three or four well-authenticated cases where the disembodied spirit was cut off from the cabinet, and the medium died.” He drew the velvet curtains across the cabinet, and shut Vera from view. “Are you ready, Mr. Hallowell?” he asked. Mr. Hallowell, his eyes staring, his lips parted, nodded his head. The music grew louder. Vance switched off the lights. For some minutes, except for the creaking of the pedals of the organ and the low throb of the music, there was no sound. Then, from his position at the open door, the voice of Vance commanded sternly: “No whispering, please. The medium is susceptible to the least sound.” There was another longer pause, until in hushed expectant tones Vance spoke again. “The air is very heavily charged with electricity tonight,” he said, “you, Mrs. Marsh, should feel that?” “I do, Professor,” murmured the medium, “I do. We shall have some wonderful results!” Vance agreed with her solemnly. “I feel influences all about me,” he murmured.