The searchlight., 1912-11-22

membered that one OF my foreign col
leagues had, through the help of a
medium. obtained some valuable IN
formation that put him on the right
trail decided to make a final at
tempt, and went to that little restau-
rant, where / hoped to meet q man
who, know, is well yersed In these
matters. My man did not turn up;
but. fortunately, l saw you, and pos
sibly you may assist me"
Look here, Goron." he cried. with
an excitement such as | should not
have thought was In his nature, 81
can. and will, help you. Strictly be-
tween ourselves, have gone In for
spiritualism. | have a splendid me-
dunn for you, a man called Boissier.
who assists me in my researches. He
is now, I dare say, waiting for me at
restaurant / will bring him here"
Hold hard. Xavier!" cried. 81
shall be delighted to make the ac-
quaintance of your friend Boissier.
You must, however, remember that II
Will never do for me, the Chief of the
Detective Police. to let stranger
know that I have recourse to the oc-
cult science to detect crime. The
comic papers would make fine sport
Of me. Since you kindly offer to help
me. only you and I must know OF II.
But, II you like, you can introduce
me to NJ. Boissier under another
name. always supposing he does not
know me by sight"
There is no fear OF that" cried
Xavier; "Boissier has been all his life
abroad. and returned TO France only
some six months ago. I'll fetch him"
A moment later Xavier came back.
accompanied by clean-shaven man
with a large face. My friend intro
duced me as NJ. Martin from Bor-
deaux. and had the pleasure OF shak-
ing NJ. Boissier's fat, fiabby hand
| alleged an engagement. and soon
took my leave. after having made
an appointment with Xavier for the
following day.
When We met, Xavier informed me
that Boissier would put himself at
my disposal II | wanted TO hold any
Intercourse with the other world.
''Boissier," he added, is a wonder
full chap. I have the greatest conf
dence In him. and through him you
will, I am sure. arrive at good re-
suits" Suddenly he turned to me
with the question:
Have you heard I am getting mar.
ried?"
'No. I have no time to go into so.
ciety. Let me congratulate you. Who
is the LADY,"
He remained silent a moment, ran
his fingers through his hair, and re
marked:
Her name Is Germaine F.. Since
you are interested in spiri,ualism.
want you to make her acquaintance
You win find her an accomplished
girl. She Is young. very young-toc
young for me-" he added In almost q
whisper.
Ieyed my friend narrowly. and dared
not question him. for | felt l was
nearing the secret. But he shook his
the direction Of his house. We did no
exchange q word. On reaching hi,
door I wished him goodnight. wheI
he seized my arm and said:
"Come In; I want to talk to you"
We went into his smoking-room
and his valet had hardly closed th'
door, when he exclaimed:
"Goron. don't go in for spiritualism
The human mind cannot stand II
Mine is giving way under the strain.
And then I saw In his eyes thu
haunted look that had scared his sis
ter.
put my hand on his shoulder. ant
said soothingly:
II see you are fearfully worried
You know you can trust me-"
With his eyes half shut. as II In
trance. he spoke so rapidly that ha,
some trouble to follow him.
"Goron. the future has been re
vealed to me. I have heard voices
and they told me what would happen
, will perform great deeds. with tn
. help Of a woman. my wife. and he
! name is Germaine E. Evil infiu
{ ences are at work against me; but
I will escape them. thanks to that won
/ an. She. too, has heard the sam
> voices, and must obey their injunC
! fions."
, Xavier paused a moment. wiped tn
= perspiration from his forehead. an
continued In a Quieter tone.
"wers II not for these mysteriou
commands. / would never marry tina
D girl-in every way unsuited to me
But II is in the decree Of fate. Mex
week our banns will be published"
had come prepared for somethin
= Of that sort; but this was much NOR
serious than I had expected. and l b
: gan to wonder how much villany
should detect before ! came to tn
bottom Of the affair.
To reason with q man apparentl
l under q kind Of spell would have bee
folly. I therefore refrained from con
U ment. and said: