After standing over the unconscious child for some time longer, and using sundry tests to make sure that she was completely locked in magic slumber, Mrs. Fordham turned away, and, passing through the door, closed it, and was going down stairs, when a slight noise caught her ear. Glancing up in the direction from which it came, she caught sight of Adele watching her from the passage above. It was only a momentary glimpse; for, on finding that she was observed, Adele retired from sight instantly.
Mrs. Fordham paused, stood thinking for a little while, and then slowly returned to the room. She entered and examined the lock on the inside. It held a key. This was removed and passed into the wards on the other side.
“Thus I make surety doubly sure,” she said to herself, again closing the door, which she locked, placing the key in her pocket. She then went down to the parlor.
“How is our little trance-medium?” asked Dyer, as she entered.
“All right,” was answered. “Spirits from the lower spheres have battled hard for her, but the strife was vain. She is safe.”
“I congratulate you on the triumph,” said Mrs. Weir, enthusiastically. “She is a lovely child,” was added, with a touch of mother-feeling in her voice.
“The most remarkable child-medium I have yet seen.” Mrs. Fordham looked at the two visitors before mentioned. “The communications received through her are extraordinary. I am taking record of them daily, and their publication will astonish the world. Society is on the eve of some new developments. It is the night before the morning.”
“Is she tranquil?” asked Mrs. Weir.
“Entirely so.”
“Sleeping?”