Evening star., 1912-11-17
BY JOHN E. WILKIE

get at the truth Why doesn't he drop all that rot about
the occult and stick to his conJurlng, at which he
really clever?
As he seemed to expect some sort of reply, Hicks.
who appeared somewhat netled at the stranger tone
and manner. grew suddenly serious. Il suppose he
has his for dabbing in the occult and, as
happen to have him at private affair among
friends do many things that to be supernatural
'supernorma he chooses to term it, am inclined
to think there is really foundation for his claim
"Rot" exclaimed the stranger. His manner, II not
offensive, decidedly aggressive.
Hicks grew interested. ut may be possible that
your views would undergo modification if you were to
see of these private demonstrations. Ii you are to
be here tonight and to drop around to the palm
about eleven there may be chance to give him
real test"
Thanks, may look in
a hope he does drop in,7 observed Hicks the
stranger and strolled out toward the office be
ieve Billy will be glad to have try at that fellow.
have him curl the hair of skeptlcal scientific
sharps, and if the Australian gentleman honors to-
night may have something rather out of the ordinary
HALF dozen of our little crowd off the Korea
IL sought the coolest corner of the palmroom, and
under the swinging punkas awaited with 11npatenee
the arrival of Hicks and his famous friend The man
with the scar passed through the about half past
and nodded curty to me, but did not stop. He had
scarcely disappeared into the writing room when
Hicks and a companion strolled in from the hall.
Gentlemen my friend DR.. Bassett."
noticed as we shook hands that both of the doctors
wrists were heavily calloused and wondered.
"Those callouses" observed Bassett, turning to me
with smile as if answering question, "are the result
of good many years of experience in rope-tyng tests
which have been feature OF my program ever since
started out professionally His shrewd blue eyes
twinkled good naturedly at my momentary confusion
THAT was what you wanted to know, wasn't 1t:
THAT is an answer a question framed mentally,
| admitted.
"That was easv. Nearly everyone who shakes hands
with me notices my wrists and wonders about it, just
as YOU almost invariably wonder whether man with
empty sleeve lost his arm in battle or had 1t torn
off by machinery. So, you see, taking chances
There are others at the table who asked the same
question: He indicated the suspected pair who adj
mitted the correctness of the statement The other
gentlemen weren't curious about it, simply because
they didn't look at my wrists, but kept their eyes on
my face while shaking hands" He joined IN
the laugh he added, That's elementary thought
reading"
Its mostly fake like that isn't ito"
The with the nasty smile lifting the cor
of his mouth, was regarding Bassett with evil m
tenstv. Our guest turning his head, glanced at the
stranger with langud interest. Hicks seemed to be
the only member of the circle who kept his wits about
him.
"You remembered appointment, see. III be
glad to have you join us. DR.. Bassett this is Mr.
Mr." He hesitated
"Tre1naine, prompted the man with the scar
"AIr. Trenane. repeated Hicks.
The doctor bowed.
Draw up chair and join us, continued Hicks with
unrufled courtesy.
moved over and made for him.
NO." said Bassett facing Iremaine thought read
ing is not quite 50 easy as that
But you claim supernatural power in these mental
matters For instance have heard that you pretend
to be able tell what is recorded in man mind. I've
been interested in that sort OF thing for years. I've
visited every clairvoyant and mystic in Europe and
Australia and have vet to find one of them who can
tell me anything their tools haven't learned from my
hat or from the of my coat pockets, or from
what they were able deduce from the character OF
my replies to them in a clever pumping process. They
all work the old game, and I've much OF 1t
that regard any serious claims IN that direction as
serious claptrap. It's all bally rot
Tremaines audacity parayzng, and there was
an oninous silence when he paused. had been watch
ing Bassett and thought vaguely of those powerful
wrists But there was no movement of the fingers.
change in the pose of his body in the wicker chair
he blue the