The searchlight., 1912-11-22


dining-room. The blinds had been
room.
Leroy bade Xavier and Germaine sit
down In one corner of the room. and
Boissier and me In the opposite one.
you WILL" be began, witness
some extraordinary manifestations.
Some Of the phenomena may even be
Of q startling nature. Tor I am the first
man who has succeeded in making
persons communicate direct with de-
parted spirits without passing through
the hands of Q medium. The expert
ment 10 q difhcult one, and its success
depends on the relations that have
existed between the Questioser and
the spirit evoked"
Addressing me. he continued:
Monsieur. I shall begin with you.
Please think Of q departed person
with whom you wish to speak"
IL have thought of one." I replied.
The professor laid one hand on my
right shoulder. and. raising the other
in the air. uttered q few words In =
weird-sounding tongue. We waited .
minute. but no response came.
The same experiment was tried with
Xavier and Boissier. but with no bet
ter results.
II do not know how to account for
this" said the professor. In a vexed
tone. Il have never yet seen the
spirits SO hostile. shall now ask
mademoiselle to recall some one with
whom she would like to converse"
II have done So" said Germaine.
The professor then laid his hand on
her shoulder; but the moment he
lifted the other. q noise burst upon US
as II all Bedlam had been let loose. II
lasted only a few seconds, but II
made our very bones leap.
Good heavens! what was that?"
asked Xavier.
Il don't know" said the professor;
"this is quite new to me. We shall
soon see"
| He again touched Germaine. and
once more the deafening din arose.
worse than before.
Xavier and Germaine. looking very
scared, rose from their seats, when
/ thc stOpptu
'Sit down." he shouted. "Hark. the
spirits are there: can hear them!"
After a silence that seemed oppres-
sive. We heard a low moan In the dis
tance. which grew louder as II came
nearer. When It had reached our
room. It stopped. There was another
minute of suspense. and then voice.
very far OF. called out: Lily! Lily!"
Germaine started. She was deathly
pale.
Again the voice was heard. but
much nearer:
Lily! LilyI Why have you done
this?"
Germaine was shaking so thought
she would drop. Then she cried:
Forgive me! Forgive me. Ger
maine! promise TO atone!"
| Boissier Jumped up TO go toward
her. l seized his wrist. and whis-
pered In his ear:
II am not Martin: my name is Cor
on. II you make a move or utter q
sound. you are LOST"
The seance broke up In a state Of
excitement. Xavier conducted the half
fainting Germaine TO the drawing
room.
Invent to her and said:
"Mademoiselle. | suppose you would
like to speak TO us now"
Yes" she replied; 'call your friend
Xavier: but not Boissier."
She shuddered as she mentioned the
name.
| returned to the dining room.
Professor" I said. keep close to
that fellow Boissier till come back.
II he tries any nonsense clap the
handouts on him"
I'll look after him. SIR" laughed the
professor.
Germaine was sitting In an easy.
chair. with her eyes closed. the while
Xavier walked about eScitedly.
what does It all"
"Hush." I interrupted him. you
will hear the truth now
Il have deceived you! Forgive
mel"
Suddenly Germaine went on her
knees before Xavier. and seizing one
Of his hands. exclaimed:
Reckoning Xavier to remain silent.
raised the girl from the noor. and
said:
Whom Is he to forgive? 10 It Ger.
maine, or"
mo" she shrieked In a paroxysm of
grief. Don't speak. I will tell every.
thing!"
And In broken sentences. mingled
with sobs, she poured out her story:
MY name Is Lily Bradley. and I am
the daughter OF the farmers who took
charge OF Germaine when her parents
died. My father and mother were
very good to her; but Germaine was
sickiy. and the doctor said she could
! not live long. Then came the letter
Of NJ. E In Toulouse. proposing to
adopt his niece: and my parents. be-
ing poor. decided to let me take her
place. l begged them not to do this:
Il A.