Following this laughingly applauded “reading,” the speaker informed Miss James that she was thinking her lace collar was not loose behind. “Which was quite correct.” As also was Mr. Storey’s impression that there was not a long blond hair on his coat collar. “There was not.”
Then Kate distinctly saw the speaker take a deep breath.
“Mr. Joseph Potter is a strong thinker,” he proceeded. “I read several thoughts from Mr. Potter.”
The old farmer, to whom the whole performance had appeared as nothing less than magic, leaned out into the aisle, breathless and staring.
“It seems to me, Mr. Potter,” the mind-reader went on, “it seems to me you are thinking about some important business deal—some big deal concerning land.”
The old man’s mouth opened.
“Also it seems to me that this land may be worth a great deal more than—”
There was an exclamation, a commotion, and Burke, the real estate man, was on his feet. A moment he stood staring, as though doubting his ears, then catching up his hat he said in a loud voice, “Come, Mr. Potter, we must go. That other engagement, you know—I had forgotten it.”
The old man sprang up, and brushed Burke aside. “Go on! Go on!” he cried toward the figure on the platform. The startled audience gazed from one to another. Several arose.
“It seems to me,” resumed Alex quietly, “that there is a waterfall on your farm, and that—”