Whilst on this subject, I am reminded of another occasion when India was
represented in the tea-leaves. I was looking into my tea-cup one day,
when I saw most clearly depicted two natives creeping stealthily, their
attitude making this evident. In their hands were what appeared to be
knives, and they were making towards a figure that was unmistakably that
of an officer. He was standing upon what looked like a raised platform
with a barricade round him. He held a revolver in his hand.

I am quite aware that some may think this a tall tale for the tea-leaves
to relate! But fortunately my reading of the cup was witnessed by two
others, one of them being a man, who, although interested in psychic
subjects, despises the tea-leaves! Without remarking upon what I saw, I
suggested that he should look at my cup and see what he made of it.
Without a moment's hesitation he said, "There is an officer defending
himself against some natives who are about to attack him."

My readers will appreciate the satisfaction this testimony gave me,
coming as it did from one who had never before looked into a cup.
Moreover, that this witness should have been one of the male sex added
to its value! This prediction of danger for someone in India was borne
out by facts that were disclosed shortly afterwards. These instances
which I have given illustrate the variety and interest which are to be
found in divination by tea-leaves.




CHAPTER VI