"Explain to ze audience how I do it, zen, Mr. Peters," retorted the
professor. In some confusion Peters sought his seat, and the minister
approached the board.
The interest of the audience had now become serious and silent. Even Kate
Orr, though knowing there was trickery somewhere, was nonplussed. For
Jack, in the front row, appeared as immovable, and as frankly interested
as those about him. Loosely folded in his lap was a newspaper which for a
moment attracted Kate's suspicious eye; but watching closely, she saw not
the hint of a movement that might have been a signal.
The minister's first word was the name Hosea. This was promptly called
off, and the writer went on with others, gradually more difficult.
Finally, in rapid succession, one under the other, he wrote "ZEDEKIAH,
AHOLIBAH, NEBUCHADNEZZAR." As readily the figure on the platform
announced them, and the reverend gentleman turned away with an expression
frankly puzzled.
"Pardon me, Mr. Professor, but since this is genuine mind-reading, of
course you could read just as well with your eyes blindfolded, could you
not? Would you kindly give a demonstration that way?"
It was Peters. There was immediate clapping at the suggestion, and calls
of "Yes, yes! Do it blindfolded!"
In alarm Kate, from her seat, gazed toward Jack. To her surprise he was
one of the most energetic in clapping the proposal.
The professor himself, however, was plainly disconcerted, to the
particular delight of Peters and his circle of friends, who, as the
mind-reader continued to hesitate, clapped more and more loudly.
Finally the seer arose. "Well, ladees and gentlemans, if you wish,
certainly. Though I do read just as good with my eyes open."
This negative statement brought further derisive laughter and clapping
from Peters and his friends, which was added to when the professor
continued, "Will some young lady be kind enough to lend me ze
handkerchief--ze tiny leetle one with plenty holes all round?"