He took it and gripped it in a fist that looked made to hold things.

Phadrig glanced at the ball, and said quietly: "Follow me!" Then he turned away, and, in spite of all the Professor's efforts to hold it, the ball somehow slipped through his fingers and fell on to the lawn.

Then, to the utter amazement of every one, except Franklin Marmion, it rolled towards the Adept and followed him at a distance of about three yards as he walked round the circle of spectators.

He did not even look at it.

When he had made the round, he took his place in the Triangle of Science, and the ball stopped at his feet.
"It is now released, Professor," he said to Van Huysman.