Mysterious Psychic Forces: An Account of the Author's Investigations in Psychical Research, Together with Those of Other European Savants
John Stuart Mill · en
This mysterious being, this strange Katie King, had announced, from the
time of her first appearances, that she would be able to show herself in
this way for only three years. The end of this period was now approaching.
When the time came for Katie to take her farewell I asked that she
would let me see the last of her. Accordingly when she had called each
of the company up to her and had spoken to them a few words in
private, she gave some general directions for the future guidance and
protection of Miss Cook. From these, which were taken down in
shorthand, I quote the following: "Mr. Crookes has done very well
throughout, and I leave Florrie with the greatest confidence in his
hands, feeling perfectly sure he will not abuse the trust I place in
him. He can act in any emergency better than I can myself, for he has
more strength." Having concluded her directions Katie invited me into
the cabinet with her, and allowed me to remain there to the end.
After closing the curtain she conversed with me for some time, and
then walked across the room to where Miss Cook was lying senseless on
the floor. Stooping over her, Katie touched her, and said: "Wake up,
Florrie, wake up! I must leave you now."
Miss Cook then woke and tearfully entreated Katie to stay a little
time longer. "My dear, I can't; my work is done. God bless you," Katie
replied, and then continued speaking to Miss Cook. For several minutes
the two were conversing with each other, till at last Miss Cook's
tears prevented her speaking. Following Katie's instructions I then
came forward to support Miss Cook, who was falling onto the floor,
sobbing hysterically. I looked round, but the white-robed Katie had
gone. As soon as Miss Cook was sufficiently calmed, a light was
procured and I led her out of the cabinet.
One word more about this astonishing phenomenon. The medium Home,
employed, as we have seen, in the first experiments of Professor Crookes,
gave it to me as his personal opinion that Miss Cook was only a skilful
trickster, and had shamefully deceived the eminent scientist, and as for
mediums, why _there was only one absolutely trustworthy and that was
himself, Daniel Dunglas Home_! He even added that the fiance of Miss Cook
had given striking proofs of her extreme cantankerousness!
He who has observed at close hand the rivalries of mediums--which are as
strongly marked as those of doctors, actors, musicians and women--will
not, it seems to me, find in this talk of Home any intrinsic value
whatever. But I must confess that this matter of Katie King is really so
extraordinary that I am forced to try every possible explanation before
admitting its truth. This is also the opinion of Mr. Crookes himself.