"Shall I fire?" asked Stinchfield.
"It may destroy our instrument," answered the figure. "But proceed."
The blinding flash which followed was accompanied by a cry, followed by a moan, and Lucy Ollnee was heard to topple from her chair to the floor. In the moment of horrified silence which followed the Voice commanded:
"Be silent! Do not stir! Turn off your current."
In his excitement Stinchfield turned off both light and current, and left the whole room in darkness. Victor was on his feet crying out: "She has fallen! She is dying!"
"Stay where you are, my son. Keep the room dark. We will take care of your mother."
So absolute was his faith at the moment, Victor resumed his seat, though he was trembling with fear. Leo reached for his hand. "Don't be frightened. They will care for her."
"We have witnessed the miraculous," declared Bartol, stricken into irresolution by what had taken place.
Mrs. Joyce, accustomed to these marvels, added her word of warning. "Don't go to her yet. Spirits are all about her. It has been a terrible shock, but they will heal her."
Stunned silent, baffled by what he had seen, the scientist sat with his hand on the switches controlling the lights ready to carry out the orders of his invisible colleague.