“It is Madame Blavatsky,” he answered. “You must have heard of her, of course. She was practically the founder of rational psychical knowledge, though she died a victim to persecution.”
I nodded. I had heard of this celebrated woman, who still numbers many followers in different parts of the world.
“Last night, as soon as we found that the spirit of Madame Blavatsky was present, I asked Auguste to question it about the Baltic fleet.
“I had been holding a preliminary review of the fleet in the morning, as you may have seen from the papers. The officers and men seemed thoroughly nervous, and very doubtful whether it would ever be in a condition to sail. Even the Admiral, Rojestvensky, did not seem quite happy, and he found great fault with the stores and equipments.
“I had to authorize a delay of another month, and the Marine Department would not promise to have the fleet ready even then.
“Naturally, I wished to know what would become of the fleet when it did sail. Auguste questioned the spirit.”
His majesty broke off to feel in his pocket for a small slip of paper.
“I took down the answer myself, as the spirit rapped it out.” And he read aloud:
Baltic Fleet threatened. Japanese and English plotting to destroy it on the way to Port Arthur.
I started indignantly.