The Cincinnati daily star. [volume] ([Cincinnati, Ohio]) 1875-1880, 1879-09-30

1
rus of voices, headed by that of the hos
tess, summoned Jack to his work. Their
appeared to be only eae dissentNnt, Si
Lewis Mallaby, who not only did not only
trouble himself to back the invitation
but when the performance was actually
begun was at no pains to conceal his con
contempt and disgust.
The conjurer made the conventional
plum pudding in q hat, fired weddin!
rings into quartern loaves, did al
manner of card tricks, and juggled OIL
conscientiously right through his roper
tolre. There was never a smile on Sil
Lewiss face; he sneered unmistakably
Finally, with an ostentation that savoreC
OF rudeness, he took out his watch, great
gold repeater, looked at it, and unmis
takably yawned.
Jack hungered for that watch, directly
he saw it. Perhaps through it he might
make its owner uncomfortable. if only
Tor moment. But how to get it into his
hands. lie asked for watch, dozen
were offered. No, none of these would do.
1t must be gold watch, repeater. Sin
Lewis Mallaby's was the only one in the
room, and he at first distinctly refused
to lend it. But so many earnest en-
treaties were addressed to him, the hos
tess Leading in the attack, that he could
not in common courtesy continue to re-
fuse. With something like growl he
took his watch off the chain and handed
it to Jack Newbi sgin.
A curious, old fashioned watch it was,
which would gladden. the heart of watch
collector; all jewelcd and enameled,
adorned with crest and inscription; all
heirloom, which had probably been in
the Mallaby family for years Jack looked
it over curiously, meditatively, then sud
denly raising his eyes he started intently
into Sir Lewis Maiaby's face and almost
as quickly dropped them again.
"This is far too valuable" he said cour-
teously; "too much of a treasure to be
risked in any conjuring trick; an ordi,
nary modern watch l might replace, but
not work of art like this"
And he handed it back to Sir Lewis
who received it with ill-concealed salts
faction. He was as much pleased, prob
ably, at Jacks expression of probable
failure in the proposed trick, as at the
recovery of his property.
Another watch, however, was pounded
up into jelly, and brought out whole
from a cabinet in an adjoining room, and
this trick successfully accomplished,
Jack Newbiggn, who WAS now complete
ly on his mettle, passed on to higher
flights. He had spent the vacation of the
year previous in France as tae pupil of a
wizard of European fame, and had mas.
tered many of the strange teats which
are usually attributed to clairvoyance.
There is something especially uncanny
about these tricks, and Jacks reputation
rapidly increased with this new exhib-
tion of his powers. Thanks to his cross
examination Of Mrs. Sitwell at dinner:
he was in possession of many facts con-
nected with the company, although most
ly strangers to him; and some of his hits
were so palpably happy that he raised
shouts OF surprise, followed by that terri
fled hush which not uncomm )nly sue
ceeds the display of supernatural powers.
"Oh, but this is too preposterous," Sir
Lewis Mallaby was heard to say quite
angrily. The continued applause pro-
foundly disgusted him.
This is the merest charlatamisn 1t |
must be put an end to. 1t is the COM
imposture. These are t ings u
which he has coached up in advance.
Let him be tried with something which
upon the face of it he can MT have
learned beforehand by artificial means"
"1ry him, Sir Lewis; try him yourself"
cried several voices.
81 scarcely like to lend myself to such
folly to encourage so pitiful an exhibi-
ton."
But he seemed to be conscious that
further protest would tell in Jacks ia
yOr.
II will admit that you have considera-
siderable power in this strange branch of
necromancy if you will answer few
questions of mine."
proceed" said Jack, gravely, meet ng
his eve, firmly and without finching.
"Tell me what is most on my mind at
this present moment"
"The want Of male heir" Jack re-
piled promptly, and thanked Mrs. Sitwell
in his heart.
"Pshaw! You have learned from
Burke that I have no children" said Sir
Lewis buddy, but he was little taken
lback. "Anything elsef
''The memory of harsh deed that you
low strive in vain to redeem"
This borders upon impertinenoe," said
Sir Lewis, with hot blush on his
heck and passion in his eyes. "But let
Is leave alb fractions and try tangible re-
'lities. Can you tell me what have in
his pocket He touched the left breast
,f his tail-coat.
"a pocket-book."
"Bahl Ca vi sans dire" Every one car
les a pocket-book in his pocket.
'But do you% asked several bystand.
RS, all of whom were growing deeply in
crested in this strange duel.
Sir Lewis Mallaby confessed that he
lid, and produced it--an ordinary mo-
occo leather purse and pocketbook all
n one.