Delapine appeared insensible to his appeal, and merely said, "Monsieur Payot, proceed."
The financier at once commenced to search the butler's pockets, while Delapine stood behind him and held his arms. Sure enough the first article he pulled out was the pocket-book. "Now, Monsieur Payot, be good enough to let me see whether all the notes are there. I wish to convince myself," said Delapine. And taking the pocket-book out of Payot's hands, he rapidly counted the notes, and subtracting one of them said to François, "I acquit you of all blame. It was I who did it in order to convince Monsieur Payot of my powers. This gentleman offered to make a present of his watch to anyone who could take it away from him without his being aware of it. I have succeeded, but I refuse to take his watch. Still, as I have been the cause of a great deal of unpleasantness to my esteemed friend François, I feel sure Monsieur Payot will not object if I present you with this note."
Whereupon the professor handed the butler one of the hundred-franc notes, and shaking him by the hand, told him he was a thorough good fellow, and at his request Pierre unlocked the door, and bowed the bewildered and delighted man out.
"One moment, Monsieur Payot, I perceive you also are a thief. If you will be good enough to put your hand in your left-hand waistcoat pocket you will find our friend Marcel's gold toothpick and seal. Pray hand them back to him with his watch, and he will give you yours in return."
The financier having at length recovered all his personal effects, shook hands all round, and bolted as fast as his legs would carry him, fully convinced that Delapine was the Devil.
"Well," said Delapine, "are you satisfied now?"
Villebois and his guests looked at one another in mute astonishment, much too bewildered to say anything.
"Another evening, with your permission," said Delapine, "I will show you some experiments of an entirely different character."
FOOTNOTES:
[4] This story, which actually occurred in New York, is related in the late Dr. Isaac Funk's book "The Widow's Mite and other Psychic Phenomena," the leading facts of which are given here by his son's kind permission. Dr. Isaac Funk was the first editor of the famous Funk and Wagnall's Dictionary used throughout the English-speaking world, and he was celebrated for his brilliant intellect, precision of thought and the extreme accuracy of his statements.