[30] This phenomenon may be considered of such importance as to necessitate Professor Richet’s exact words being given; I therefore append them:—
‘Un autre phénomène d’attraction très remarquable. Une petite boîte en carton carrée de 0.02 de côté environ est attirée, d’abord en pleine lumière devant Dr. X. Le même phénomène s’est reproduit devant moi avec beaucoup moins de lumière.... La boîte était lentement et sans secousse, pendant 2 à 4 secondes, attirée par les doigts du médium et je l’ai vue se déplacer ainsi lentement, en traînant sur la peluche jusqu’à 12 centimètres environ. Il n’y a absolument aucun contact, ni médiat ni direct. (Crise gastrique forte et passagère du médium à la suite de cette expérience.)’
[31] ‘Since the above was written, Dr. George L.’s son, Olivier, a youth of nineteen, has been killed in a railway accident (see p. [234]). Notwithstanding the errors, there is a certain interest in the fact that the rapping force seemed to sense some near tragic occurrence to some member of the family. The raps first of all gave the surname L. of the person destined to die shortly; it was only after much hesitation that the name of George was given. The raps at first refused to give the date, but, after much pressing, dictated March 1904.
‘Professor Richet did not tell any one that Madame X. had already predicted the early death “of one of the sons.”’—Note by Dr. X.
[33] “The medium has frequently said that if he ever had a son, he would call him Chrétien. The name Alexandre was also constantly on our lips, for two personifications, who frequently claimed to be communicating, were called Alexandre.
[34] “Mrs. Stephens had a preference for the Epiphany, and she told us, after the seance, that she had mentally asked her child might be born on that day—the 6th of January.”—Note by Dr. X.
[35] “True; but then neither was C. R. nor Antoine B. nor any other personification ever evoked.”—Note by Dr. X.
[36] “On the 4th January, Mrs. Stephens was particularly anxious about her husband, and insisted on driving into Bordeaux and personally sending him a telegram. Without a doubt, the anxiety and physical restlessness of the previous few days hastened the event.”—Note by Dr. X.