Doctor. Really, you have doubled your claim to originality!
Smith. It is much more marvellous to explain a miracle than to work a miracle. What was your explanation, by the way?
Conjurer. I shall not tell you.
Smith. [Starting.] Indeed? Why not?
Conjurer. Because God and the demons and that Immortal Mystery that you deny has been in this room to-night. Because you know it has been here. Because you have felt it here. Because you know the spirits as well as I do and fear them as much as I do.
Smith. Well?
Conjurer. Because all this would not avail. If I told you the lie I told Morris Carleon about how I did that trick....
Smith. Well?
Conjurer. You would believe it as he believed it. You cannot think [pointing to the lamp] how that trick could be done naturally. I alone found out how it could be done—after I had done it by magic. But if I tell you a natural way of doing it....
Smith. Well?...