"I want Victor opposite me, with Leo at his right and Louise at his left. Mr. Stinchfield will then be able to operate his wires. You, Mr. Bartol, sit at Leo's right and nearest the cage." Her voice was now quite firm, and her manner decided. "All sit at the table for a time." Stinchfield snapped out the lights, one by one, till only two, one red, the other green, struggled against the darkness. When these went out the room was perfectly black. Bartol then said: "In the cabinet behind the medium is a self-registering column of mercury, a typewriter, and a switch, which will light a lamp which hangs in the ceiling above the cabinet, and which has no other connection. The psychic is inclosed in a mesh of steel wire too fine to permit the putting forth of a finger. If the lamp is lighted, the column of mercury lifted, or the typewriter keys depressed, it will be by some supra-normal power of the medium. There is also on a table just inside the curtains, with paper and pencils, a small tin trumpet, a bell, and a zither upon it. If possible, we wish to obtain a written message independent of Mrs. Ollnee." "It is the unexpected that happens," remarked Mrs. Joyce. "Shall we clasp hands, Lucy?" "Yes," answered Mrs. Ollnee. Victor, reaching for Leo's hand, tingled with something not scientific, a current of something subtler than electricity which came from her palm. He thought he detected in her fingers a returning warmth of grasp. "They are here," announced Mrs. Joyce, after some ten minutes of silence. "Who are here?" asked Bartol. "My band--and many others." "How can you tell?" "I hear them." A faint whisper soon distinguished itself, and Mrs. Joyce reported that Mr. Blodgett was speaking. "He says he realizes the importance of this test, and that he has summoned all the most powerful of the spirits within reach, and that they will do all they can. He says the wire cage is a new condition, but they will meet it. Be patient; the strain on Lucy is very great, but it cannot be avoided." In the silence which followed this conversation Leo shuddered and clutched Victor's hand as if for protection. "The other world is opening. Don't you feel it?" She whispered. "I can hear the rustle of wings." He, growing very tense himself, answered: "I feel only my mother's anxiety. Are you comfortable, mother?" he asked. She did not reply, and Mrs. Joyce said, "She is asleep." And all became silent again. "Hello!" exclaimed Stinchfield. "Who touched me?" "No one in the circle," answered Mrs. Joyce, highly elated. "I certainly felt a hand on my shoulder--there it comes again! Shall I flash my camera?" "_Not now!_" came a clear, full whisper, apparently from the cabinet. "_You would fail now. Wait._" "Who spoke?" asked Bartol. As there was no reply, Mrs. Joyce asked, "Is it you, Mr. Blodgett?" "_No!_" the whisper replied. "Is it Watts?" "_Yes._" "It is Isaac Watts. Now it is his science against yours, Mr. Stinchfield."