which, if it succeeds, will bring us into immediate connection with
the world of spirits. My plan is to leave two sovereigns here upon
the edge of the table during the night. If they are gone in the
morning, I shall know that Q has contrived to de-astralise himself,
and has taken the sovereigns. The only question is, do you happen
to have two sovereigns? I myself, unfortunately, have nothing but
small change about me."

Here was a piece of rare good fortune, the coincidence of which
seemed to add another link to the chain of circumstance. As it
happened I had with me the six sovereigns which I had just drawn as
my week's pay.

"Luckily," I said, "I am able to arrange that. I happen to have
money with me." And I took two sovereigns from my pocket.

Annerly was delighted at our good luck. Our preparations for the
experiment were soon made.

We placed the table in the middle of the room in such a way that
there could be no fear of contact or collision with any of the
furniture. The chairs were carefully set against the wall, and so
placed that no two of them occupied the same place as any other
two, while the pictures and ornaments about the room were left
entirely undisturbed. We were careful not to remove any of the
wall-paper from the wall, nor to detach any of the window-panes
from the window. When all was ready the two sovereigns were laid
side by side upon the table, with the heads up in such a way that
the lower sides or tails were supported by only the table itself.
We then extinguished the light. I said "Good night" to Annerly,