“I must ask you,” he said, briskly, “to help me keep the people just as I seat them. They will be in this half-circle facing the cabinet and holding hands. Those we know are against us,” he explained, “will have one of my friends, Professor Strombergk, or Mrs. Marsh, or my wife, on each side of him. If there should be any attempt to rush the cabinet, we must get there first. I will be outside the cabinet working the rappings, the floating music, and the astral bodies.” At the sight of the expression these words brought to the face of Gaylor, Vance permitted himself the shadow of a smile. “I can take care of myself,” he went on, “but remember—Vera must not be caught outside the cabinet! When the lights go up, she must be found with the ropes still tied.”
Gaylor turned from him with an exclamation of disgust.
“Pah!” he muttered. “It’s a hell of a business!”
Vance continued unmoved. “And, another thing,” he said, “about these lights; this switch throws them all off, doesn’t it?” He pressed a button on the left of the door, and the electric lights in the walls and under a green shade on the library table faded and disappeared, leaving the room, save for the light from the hall, in darkness.
“That’s the way we want it,” said the showman.
From the hall Mannie appeared between the curtains that hung across the doorway. “What are you doing with the lights?” he demanded. “You want to break my neck? All our people are downstairs,” he announced.
Vance turned on the lights. At the same moment Rainey came from the bedroom into the library. It was evident that to sustain his courage he had been drinking. He made no effort to greet those in the room, but stood, glaring resentfully at the cabinet and the row of chairs.
“Well,” exclaimed Vance cheerfully, “if our folks are all here, we’re all right.”
Glancing behind him, Mannie took Vance by the sleeve, and led him to the centre of the room.
“No, we’re not all right,” said the boy, “that Miss Coates has brought a friend with her. She says Hallowell told her she could bring a friend. She says this young fellow is her friend. I think he’s a Pink!”