Merrill followed him, and, with the three Professors, formed a square about him.
Phadrig, turning slowly round so that his voice might reach all his audience, said: "Ladies and gentlemen, you have all heard of or seen the strange performances of the Indian fakirs: the growing of the mango plant, the so-called basket trick, and the throwing into the air of a rope up which the performer climbs from view of the spectators.

I am not going to say whether those are tricks or not.

Their knowledge may be different from mine, therefore I do not question it.

I only propose to show you the same kind of performance without the use of any coverings or concealment, and leave you and these four gentlemen to discover any deception on my part if you can.

I will begin by giving you a new version of the mango trick, if trick it is, with variations.