suddenly.) No, I've got a better way than this. My dear, will you ring for Pollock?

MRS. CROSBY (upper end of table R.). What are you going to do now?

CROSBY. Wait and see. (To ROSALIE.) You don't object to this?

ROSALIE. Oh, no, sir.

(BUTLER enters from door L.—comes well on stage.)

CROSBY. Oh, Pollock, I want you to put these keys in your pocket. (Hands them to him. POLLOCK puts them in his waistcoat pocket.)

POLLOCK. Yes, sir.

CROSBY (L.C.). Now then, I want you to take the key out of that door, and lock it on the outside, understand?

POLLOCK. Perfectly, sir.

CROSBY. Then take the key from the lock and put that one in your pocket also, after that you are to stand outside that door, and you are not to unlock it until I tell you to. Understand?

POLLOCK. Yes, sir, I'm to lock this door on the outside, keep the key in my pocket, and then stay just outside, and not open it for anyone until you tell me.

CROSBY. Exactly. (General buzz of conversation. POLLOCK goes to the door L., takes out the key and exits, closing the door after him. The key is heard turning in the lock.) Now then, Mason, you'd better try that door, too. (MASON goes over and tries the door L. CROSBY follows him. Speaking through the door L.) Are you there, Pollock?

POLLOCK (outside.) Yes, sir.

CROSBY. And the keys are in your pocket?

POLLOCK. Quite so, sir.

CROSBY. Now we're ready, Madame la Grange.

ROSALIE. Then please you will all sit in a circle and hold hands.

MISS ERSKINE. Hold hands! I'm going to love this.

(All laugh.)

MASON (moving down to a chair on the L. of the circle). How shall we sit? I mean, do you want us in any particular order?

ROSALIE. Any way at all.

WILLIAM. I'll sit here. (Takes chair and sits in reach of lamp on table R.C.)

ROSALIE. Any way will do.

(HELEN and MRS. TRENT come down L.)

(They all sit in a circle in the following order: ROSALIE, C.; CROSBY L. of ROSALIE; MISS ERSKINE, MISS STANDISH, TRENT, MISS EASTWOOD; MASON; HELEN; MRS. TRENT; STANDISH and MRS. CROSBY; WILLIAM sits on ROSALIE'S right side. This will bring WALES sitting at C. with his back to the audience. ROSALIE directly opposite up stage facing him. The thirteen chairs in the circle consist of two brought from the fireplace, two from the table R., eight from the room R.C., and the armchair L.C., which is moved C. and used by ROSALIE. As they are being seated there is a general buzz of conversation as follows:—)

MISS ERSKINE. I'm to sit next to you, Mr. Crosby.

CROSBY. I've always wanted to hold your hand, my dear.

MRS. CROSBY. Don't trust him, Daisy.

MISS ERSKINE. I won't, Mrs. Crosby.

MISS STANDISH. I'll chaperone them.

MASON (to HELEN). Will you sit by me?

TRENT. I'll take this place then.

MISS EASTWOOD. I'm really getting quite a thrill. (ROSALIE laughs.) What's the joke, Madame la Grange?

(MRS. TRENT moves outside of circle to R.C., then sits.)

ROSALIE. I did not know anything could give to you a thrill.

MISS EASTWOOD. You don't like me, do you, Madame la Grange?

ROSALIE. Oh, mademoiselle, I am indeed very fond of you.

WALES (standing below circle R.C.). I think we're all ready.

(The others are all seated and WALES is about to sit down.)

MISS ERSKINE (counting hurriedly). Oh! There are thirteen of us. Don't sit there, Mr. Wales.

WALES. Oh, I don't mind those little superstitions. (Sits down stage side of circle between HELEN and MRS. TRENT.)

MRS. CROSBY. What do we do now?

ROSALIE. Now, will you please all join your 'ands, and then sit very, very quiet. Do not try to think of anything.

TRENT. By Jove, that'll be easy for me.

(The others laugh.)

WALES. We can't get any results if you treat this as a joke.

(All laugh.)

STANDISH. Oh, let's be serious.

MISS ERSKINE. Why, Howard?

STANDISH. Well, there might be something in it. Anyhow, it's only fair to do what Madame la Grange wants. I suppose you'd like the lights out? I've always understood that was necessary.

ROSALIE. We shall 'ave better results in that way.

CROSBY. Right! (He rises, goes to door L., and switches off light. This leaves only the two table lamps R. and L. of the chesterfield C. still lit. All other lights on scene out. Crosses back to his chair—turns out table lamp L. of chesterfield.) Billy, you turn out that light as soon as we are ready.

WILLIAM. Right you are, dad.

ROSALIE. That is all, then. Now you are not to be afraid if I cry or moan when I do go into a trance. I am not in pain or anything like that. I do not even know that I do such things, but I 'ave been told that it sometime 'appen. My spirit control is a sweet little child named Laughing Eyes. When she begins to talk you can ask 'er anything you do want. If she do not answer you she do not want to talk to you. Then whoever it is speaking must let someone else try. That is all, ladies and gentlemen. (She settles back in her chair.) Now then, sir, please to put out that light.

(WILLIAM turns off the light, and the stage is in darkness all but spots on ceiling.)

CROSBY. That won't do. Billy, pull down the blind, that light on the ceiling is too strong.

(WILLIAM turns on light, crosses R., pulls blind down and closes curtains, then resumes his seat and puts light out. ROSALIE rises, crosses back of circle to the back of MISS EASTWOOD'S chair. There is a pause. Suddenly MISS EASTWOOD screams shrilly.)

MISS EASTWOOD. There's a hand on my face. There's a hand on my face!

CROSBY. Will, the light!

(The light on the table goes up, showing WILLIAM leaning back in his chair with one hand on the switch, the other is tightly clasped in his father's hand. ROSALIE is seen standing behind MISS EASTWOOD, with her hand resting on MISS EASTWOOD'S cheek.)

(They all start to speak.)

MRS. TRENT. It's a trick.

ROSALIE. Yes, it is a trick. (They stop and stare at her. Her manner is commanding, and a little stern.) I was going to ask you to tie my 'ands to the arm of the chair, but I thought I would show you this first.

MASON. I don't see how you did it—even now.

ROSALIE (standing outside of circle L.). Things 'appen in the dark. The sense of touch is not much developed except in those who are blind. When this young gentleman did let go my 'and to turn out the light, I did take my other 'and away from Mr. Crosby and when we joined 'ands again the two gentlemen were 'olding 'ands as comfortable as you please. And I was free. It is an old trick. All the mediums do use it. Anyone can do it. (She moves back to her chair and sits.) Now, if someone will tie me in, we will go on.

MASON. How do we know that you can't get free even then?

ROSALIE. Tie me so that I cannot.

CROSBY (rising). I'll see to that. I want something strong.

MASON. Take handkerchiefs, they are strong enough. (Takes handkerchief.)

CROSBY. They'll do very well. (Takes out his own.) I want three more.

WILLIAM. Here's mine. (Hands his handkerchief to his father. MASON and TRENT give CROSBY theirs.)

CROSBY. Now, Madame la Grange, if you don't mind. (He ties her hands to the arm of the chair.) I don't see why you did that