The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-12-11

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"Re quiet. You will spoil it all, u
! he whispered.
From somewhere in the rear came q
soft, mellow sound like one of tho low
er notes of flute.
ut is the masters signal. He ia
awake" said Kola impressively. Then
the house was as quiet as u tomb. A
train passed on the elevated road near
by. 1t rumbled in faroff way, al if it
were underground.
"Be still now and look into the dark
ness ahead of you." said Kola. "The
master will not present himself to view
nor speak, but he knows your desires
and will give q psychic demonstration
that will interest you"
When the adept ceased speaking, the
futelike note sounded again, and then
profound silence fell. Lampkin heard
some ono breathing heavily, but could
not make out who it was. He felt q
hand grasp his own, heard a step on the
carpet and knew that Hendricks had
passed him. going he knew not whittier.
The black robe he wore blended SO thor
ougbly with the darkness that he had
become part Of it.
The doctor heard Miss Benton cry
out softly, and then he saw square Of
grayish light appear in the ceiling 1t
grew lighter till it was exactly like
glimpse of the sky on a dark night.
Now and then star could be seen un-
der thin, fllmy clouds, which seemed to
be driven along by high wind.
Wonderful, by Jove!' exclaimed
Montcastle's voice. II have''-
Instantly the scene vanished. Only
the most intense darkness remained.
Kola bent toward Montcastle.
1T was because you spoke, kind sir, -
he said. IF you talk, the master will
retire.
Silence and blaokness reigned for five
minutes. Then the flute note sounded,
and the view Of the sky returned. For
awhile it was as it had been before.
Then one of the stars, which had ap-
peared SO indistinct as to be unseen at
times, began to blaze fercely. Now and
then it would seem to have some sort
Of internal eruption.
1t would burn red and blue and throw
off bits Of fire, which floated downward
and slowly expired. One of the sparks,
instead of going out, grew brighter and
brighter as it descended till it took the
form Of letter "B" and then melted
away. The next spark formed the let
ter "E," and the letters Of fire con-
tinued to form and fall till the word
Benton" had been spelled.
The last letter wee: out with bright
fash, giving Lampkin vague view of
the large room and the Benton party
about 20 feet in front Of him. The next
instant the room was totally dark. Tt
remained so for two or thres minutes.
Then the flute note sounded again, and
large square Of light appeared ahead
Of them. It looked as if it were half q
mile from where the spectators sat.
Slowly it began to take the form Of the
interior of room. The walls, pictures
and curtains came into view, and then
the furniture, a desk, man sitting at it.
Alice Benton stifled scream. It was
her father. He sat writing. He leaned
forward and dipped his pen in the ink
stand. The spectators saw the movement
of his hand over the paper and heard
the scratching Of his pen. He turned his
head, looked at them and then rose de-
liberately, laid his left hand on his
breast and pointed steadily at them.
His lips moved, but no sound passed
through them. Then Dr.. Lampkin heard
some one gasping for breath and /
heavy weight fall to the floor. Instant
ly the room was dark.
IA light!' cried Ralph Benton's
voice. "Turn on the lights! Something
has happened to Mr.. Allen"
"Wbat has happened?" asked the
adept from the darkness.
"Mr. Allen has fainted," replied
Ralph. "He was not we'll and did not i
want to come hero anyway. Why don't
you turn on the lights?''
DR.. Lampkin felt some one touch his
elbow and the warm breath of the de- ,
tective OIL his ear.
"Remain where you are, whispered
Hendricks. "Blast his ugly picture!'
"Give us light, 7 sayi" cried Ralph
angrily. !
See, he-your Mr.. Allen is waking"
said tho adept.
"Waking?' sneered Benton. "Do you
think that's the way he usually retires?"
The darkness was lifted slightly.
How it was done Lampkin could not
tell. Montcastle and Ralph could be
seen standing and supporting Allen be-
tween them.
1.-The door is open," said Kola
YOU'D better all 60 out into the fresh
air.
Montcastle and Allen were cropping
toward the door, led by the adept. Sud-
denly Ralph, who had not moved. raised
his voice:
II don't intend to leave till I know
what this internal business means. 7
say, Montcastle, give me match!"
Curse the young daredevilr' ex-
claimed Hendricks, still near to Lamp
kin, and the doctor heard him take
from his pocket which rat
lied like pieces Of metal. "I'll pay him
for this"
Then the flute note sounded twice.
"The master wants us to retire." said
Kcla.
= L. !