psychical research and that Mr. Vandam will be present. I'd
rather have her come willingly than to force her to come.
Incidentally watch that manager of hers, Farrington. By all means
he must accompany her."

That evening I dropped casually in on Mrs. Popper. She was a
woman of great brilliance and delicacy, both in her physical and
mental perceptions, of exceptional vivacity and cleverness. She
must have studied me more closely than I was aware of, for I
believe she relied on diverting my attention whenever she desired
to produce one of her really wonderful results. Needless to say,
I was completely mystified by her performance. She did spirit
writing that would have done credit to the immortal Slade, told
me a lot of things that were true, and many more that were
unverifiable or hopelessly vague. It was really worth much more
than the price, and I did not need to feign the interest
necessary to get her terms for a circle in the laboratory.

Of course I had to make the terms with Farrington. The first
glance aroused my suspicions of him. He was shifty-eyed, and his
face had a hard and mercenary look. In spite of, perhaps rather
because of, my repugnance we quickly came to an agreement, and as
I left the apartment I mentally resolved to keep my eye on him.

Craig came in late, having been engaged in his chemical analyses
all the evening. From his manner I inferred that they had been
satisfactory, and he seemed much gratified when I told him that I
had arranged successfully for the seance and that Farrington
would accompany the medium.