"Mr. Lorillard has already tested my bona fides to his own satisfaction," she said. "He has examined my small suite, and knows that no person, no theatrical 'properties' are concealed about the place. If any of you would like to look around, however, before we start, I'm more than willing. Also if you'd care to bind my hands and feet, or sit in a circle and hold me fast, I've no objection."
As she made this offer, she glanced from one to the other of us. Pale, silent Joyce shook her head. Jim "left it to Princess di Miramare," and I decided that if Captain Lorillard was satisfied, we were.
"Very well," purred Miss Reardon. "In that case there's nothing more to wait for. Captain Lorillard, will you switch off the lights as usual?"
"Oh!" I broke in, surprised, "I thought you'd told us that the 'influence' was just as strong in light as darkness?"
"That is so," replied the medium, "except for materialization. For that, darkness is essential. There's some quality in darkness that They need. They can't get the strength to materialize in light conditions."
"How can we see anything if the room's pitch-black?" I persisted.
"Explain to your friends, Captain Lorillard, what takes place," bade Miss Reardon.
"When—June comes—she brings a faint radiance with her—seems to evolve it out of herself," Robert said in a low voice.
As he spoke he switched off the light, and profound silence fell upon us.
Some moments passed, and nothing happened.