At length, a strange light shot from his eyes, and he raised his head and spoke.
"Ladies and gentlemen," he said, "evidently Mr.Blake, with his hard English common-sense, has raised some amount of doubt in your minds as to the validity of my story and of our performance.

I am sure you will allow me to vindicate and prove any assertion I have made.

If I have claimed a knowledge of the mysterious, I have not done so without reason." "We believe that is true," said Miss Staggles; "we believe you are a wonderful man." "Thank you," said Voltaire.

"I am sure I have Miss Staggles' sympathies, but will some one assist me in what I am about to do?
I will allow no possibility of a _system_ in this, and consequently I shall be glad if any gentleman will help me in the manifestation of the hidden powers of the human mind.

Perhaps"-- turning, I thought, eagerly to me--"Mr.Blake will be the one ?" "No," I said; "I prefer to be a spectator." I could no longer mistake the hate that flashed from his eyes; but he said nothing, and waited quietly for a volunteer.