He numbered them from one to twenty-six.
"The next square I will mark zero—thus. The last one I will leave blank. That shall be a starting point. Now we will letter those squares in the same manner from 'a' to 'z.'"
This was quickly done.
"At last," he smiled, "we are ready for the wonderful fly."
He stepped toward a small stand, on which rested something covered by a cloth. Removing the cloth, a small cage with very close wiring was seen.
Frank opened a door in one side of the cage, chirping and murmuring something. He put in his hand carefully, and took something from the cage.
By this time the audience was literally throbbing with interest and expectancy.
"What is it?" whispered one.
"It's the fly," said another.
"Fly! Never! Why, it was in a bird cage."