The cabinet containing the professor was lifted up, and set down on the stage again. Then the ropes were tied, Joe supervising this.
"Tie any kind of knot you like, gentlemen," Joe urged, "only make them so you can quickly loosen them again, as the professor is very much exhausted after this illusion." This, of course, was merely stage talk for effect.
Finally the knots were tied, the committee retired, and Joe, taking his place near the imprisoned performer, asked:
"Are you ready?"
He looked keenly at the professor as he asked this.
"It's all right Joe—I guess it's going to work properly," was the low-voiced response. Then aloud Professor Rosello replied:
"I am ready!"
"Light out!" called Joe sharply. This was a signal for the stage electrician to plunge the house into darkness. It was done at once.
Then, to the no small terror of some in the audience, there appeared in the upright cabinet the figure of a grinning skeleton, outlined in flickering flames. It was startling, and there was a moment of silence before thunderous applause broke out at the effectiveness of the trick.
The clapping was at its height when Joe, who always stood near the cabinet when this trick was being done, heard the agonized voice of the professor calling to him: