“Well,” he exclaimed, “there are no trapdoors or false bottoms about that! If they can project a spirit from that sentry box, it will be a miracle. For whom are we waiting?” he asked impatiently. “Where is Winthrop?”
Judge Gaylor explained that Winthrop preferred to wait downstairs, and that he had said he would remain there until the seance was finished.
“Afraid of compromising his position,” commented the old man. “I’m sorry. I’d like to have him here.” He motioned Gaylor to bend nearer. In a voice that trembled with eagerness and excitement, he whispered: “Henry, I have a feeling that we are going to witness a remarkable phenomenon.”
Gaylor’s countenance grew preternaturally grave. He nodded heavily.
“I have the same feeling, Stephen,” he returned.
Vance raised his hand to command silence.
“Every one,” he called, “except the committee, who are to bind and tie the medium, will take the place I give him, and remain in it. Mr. Day will please acquaint Miss Vera and Mrs. Vance with the fact that we are ready.”
Up to this point Vance had appeared only as a stage manager. He had been concerned with his groupings, his lights, in assigning to his confederates the parts they were to play. Now that the curtain was to rise, as an actor puts on a wig and grease paint, Vance assumed a certain voice and manner. On the stage the critics would have called him a convincing actor. He made his audience believe what he believed. He knew the eloquence of a pause, the value of a surprised, unintelligible exclamation. One moment he was as professionally solemn as a “funeral director;” the next, his voice, his whole frame, would shake with excitement, in an outburst of fanatic fervor. As it pleased him he could play Hamlet, tenderly shocked at the sight of his dead father, or Macbeth, retreating in horror before the ghost of Banquo. For the moment his manner was that of the undertaker.
“Now, Mr. Hallowell,” he said hoarsely, “please to name those you wish to serve on the committee.”
Mr. Hallowell waved his arm to include every one in the room.