,price1 #ej c5ts     ,d ! ,dead ,return8
    ,a ,/>tl+ ,/ory f ,life     ,cr[n   
,publi%+ ,company   ,san ,francisco     
#aijj     ,illu/ration3 ,,dr4 ,,l\is    
,,s*les+]4       ,,d ,,! ,,dead         
,,return8     ,a ,,true ,,/ory   ,,(    
,,/>tl+ ,,seances   ,,9 ,,san           
,,francisco     ,,notice    ,?is "w is  
copyright$4 ,editors are w>n$   n to    
make unlawful abridgm5ts4    ,,cr[n     
,,publi%+ ,,company   ,,san ,,francisco 
#aijj       ,,copyright1 #aijj   ,,by   
,,cr[n ,,publi%+ ,,co4     ,,table ,,(  
,,cont5ts4                              
,,page    ,,introduction                
#e    ,,! ,,au?or',s ,,/ory             
#g    ,,! ,,exam9] ,,seance             
#ad    ,,"s ,,/>tl+ ,,daylight ,,seances
     #ai    ,,"* ,,( ,,! ,,n>rators     
#ee     ,,introduction4   ,be=e ?is     
little volume is read a few words (     
explanation %\ld be c>efully weigh$1 =  
o!rwise ! read] might g away ) _m false 
impressions4  ,! au?or desires to say t 
e ^w "h pr9t$ is absolutely & lit]ally  

true4 ,no?+ has be5 add$ or suppress$1 b
 ! entire tru? has be5 express$1 usually
 9 ! exact language ( ! di/+ui%$ g5tlem5
 ^: n>ratives make ! bulk ( ! book4 ,9  
mo/ in/ances ! witnesses summon$ wrote  
_! acc\nts ) _! own h&s1 & ! orig9al    
manuscripts are /ill pres]v$4  ,?\gh _m 
ye>s h pass$ s9ce ! ev5ts record$ h]e9  
transpir$1 all :o witness$ ! ph5om5a are
 /ill alive1 & all are well-kn[n &      
reputable citiz5s ( ,san ,francisco4 ,x 
0 only a few days ago t ! au?or met     
,capta9 ,w4 ,s4 ,b>nes1 :o 0 ,di/rict   
,attorney ( ! ,city & ,c\nty ( ,san     
,francisco 9 #ahic 7! date ( !          
occurr5ces ) :i* ! book deals71 & he    
said3 ,:at ,i saw 9 ! pres5ce ( ! m$ium 
has puzzl$ me all ^! ye>s4 ,i c         
tru?fully say t ! ?+s t took place at   
,mayor ,ell]t's (fice are ! mo/ wond]ful
 ev5ts t ,i h ev] come ^u4 ,!y are      
absolutely beyond my und]/&+4  ,!       
circum/ances ) :i* ! n>rative deals are 
an important contribution to ! hi/ory ( 
psy*ic rese>*1 & !y are pres5t$ = :at !y

 are wor? :ile ! witnesses & actors 9 ! 
/ory are alive4  ,,! ,,au?or4  ,san     
,francisco1 ,septemb]1 #aijj4           
,,*apt] ,i4  ,,! ,,au?or',s ,,/ory4   ,9
 ! autumn ( #ahia1 ! au?or ( ?is        
n>rative 0 bus9ess manag] ( ! ,mode/o   
7,cali=nia7 ,daily ,news4 ,"o aft]noon  
:ile he 0 engag$ 9 an important         
consultation ) ! late ,s5ator ,j4 ,d4   
,sp5c]1 "o ( ! own]s ( ! ,news1 !re 0 a 
knock at ! door ( ! editorial rooms4 ,9 
a tw9kl+ an old g5tleman ent]$2 he 0 a  
v5]able-look+1 long-be>d$ man1 )        
,hebraic features4  ,be=e ,s5ator ,sp5c]
 & ,i c\ld say1 ,good day1 sir6 ! old   
man said some?+ l ?is3 ,g5tlem51 ,i am  
,dr4 ,l\is ,s*les+]1 ! fam\s            
,spirituali/ m$ium4 ,x is well kn[n t ,i
 c talk ) ! good angels1 & ,i desire to 
h a s]ies ( seances "h 9 ,mode/o4  ,our 
adv]tis+ columns are op51 ,i said1 & we 
%all be pleas$ to ann\nce y\r meet+s at 
! regul> rates4  ,i h no money to sp>e1 
he repli$2 b ,i ?9k y w say some?+ ab\t 
me :5 ,i %[ y t man lives aft] dea?4  ,!

 ,s5ator :isp]$ to me 7on discov]+ t !  
old g5tleman 0 q deaf71 ,i guess he's   
escap$ f ! ,/ockton ,lunatic ,asylum4   
,/ockton 0 b tw5ty miles away1 & ,i     
ass5t$1 b said1 ,suppose we s\nd him    
be=e we s5d = an (fic]4  ,s we agre$ to 
give ,dr4 ,s*les+] an opportunity to    
conv9ce u t he 0 a man ( r>e end[m5ts1 z
 he pret5d$ to be4  ,com+ to ! po9t1 x 0
 arrang$ t ! ,s5ator %\ld retire to !   
press-room :ile ,i rema9$ ) ! ag$       
suspect4  ,take eight or t5 slips (     
pap]1 said ,dr4 ,s*les+]1 & write "o "n 
on ea*--"s ( liv+1 "s ( dead p]sons2 &  
don't tell me or anybody on e>? :at     
names y h writt5 on ! slips4 ,roll !m   
into little pellets--& come back "h )   
y\r m9d at re/1 = ,i am n insane1 z y   
?9k4  ,we 7 some:at surpris$1 = bo? 7   
c]ta9 t ! old g5tleman c\ld n h he>d    
,s5ator ,sp5c]'s :isp]$ d\bt conc]n+ our
 visitor's sanity4  ,9 a few m9utes     
,s5ator ,sp5c] return$1 be>+ a numb] (  
pap] pellets :i* he held 9 8 cl5*$ "r   
h&4  ,doors 7 clos$ & a table 0 roll$ to

 ! c5t] ( ! room4 ,dr4 ,s*les+] clos$ 8 
eyes & appe>$ to fall into a light      
slumb]4 ,at once !re 7 _m di/9ct raps on
 ! table1 z if "s "o _h ?ump$ ^u x ) a  
f+]4 ,?is 0 r s+ul>1 z we c\ld see t our
 visitor's h&s 9 no mann] t\*$ ! table4 
,sudd5ly ! old man op5$ 8 eyes & said3  
,g5tlem51 are y satisfi$ t ,i d n "k any
 ( ! names on ^? pap]s8  ,z ,s5ator     
,sp5c] 0 z tru?ful & honorable a man z  
ev] liv$1 "o ^: ^w 0 bett] ?an mo/ m5's 
bonds1 ,i repli$3 ,i am sure y h n se5 !
 names & t y d n "k "o ( !m4  ,& "s ( ! 
names are n kn[n to anybody 9 ,cali=nia1
 add$ ! ,s5ator4  ,!n ,i'll h to %[ y t 
,i c talk ) ! spirits ( ! dep>t$1 said  
,dr4 ,s*les+]4  ,)\t fur!r delay he     
said3 ,i see ! _s ( y\r "m /&+ ov] y4   
,%e calls y ,dill>d1 :i* is y\r middle  
"n1 & %e says %e di$ 9 ,kansas ,city1 & 
0 buri$ 9 ! old cemet]y at ,we/port4 ,am
 ,i "r8  ,s5ator ,sp5c] turn$ pale &    
said3 ,t is absolutely correct4 ,:i* "o 
( ! pellets be>s h] "n8  ,he !n held !  
bits ( pap] betwe5 8 "r f+] & ?umb1 & :5

 he _h pick$ up ?ree or f\r ( !m1 !     
m$ium said1 ,t is ! "o :i* conta9s y\r  
"m's maid5 "n4  ,i h n[ =gott5 ! maid5  
"n ( ! ,s5ator's "m1 ?\gh ,i ?9k x 0    
,dill>d4 ,! answ]1 h[ev]1 0 correct4    
,next1 )\t ask+ me to write any?+ d[n1 !
 m$ium ?us address$ me3 ,i see ! _s (   
y\r "m's "m4 ,h] "n 0 ,eliza ,johnson1 &
 %e calls y 'my son1' & says1 ',tell    
,anne t immortality is ! glori\s tru? ( 
human life4' ,anne 0 ! "n ( h] elde/    
*ild--y\r "m4  ,if ,s5ator ,sp5c] 0     
conv9c$ t ,dr4 ,s*les+] _h told him !   
tru?1 ,i _h ! same k9d ( conviction 9 my
 case2 = e ^w utt]$ 0 correct4 ,i h nev]
 und]/ood h[ ?is old man came to !      
results ann\nc$1 nor h ,i ev] se5 any "o
 :o 0 able to expla9 8 p[]4  ,) ! memory
 ( my ,mode/o exp]i5ces fre% 9 m9d1 ,i  
decid$1 :5 ,i came ^u ,dr4 ,s*les+] 9   
,san ,francisco1 9 #ahic1 to in/itute a 
s]ies ( daylight seances 9 ! pres5ce (  
"s ( ! mo/ di/+ui%$ citiz5s ( ,san      
,francisco4 ,z ,i 0 !n a writ] ( ! ,san 
,francisco ,daily ,exam9] /aff ,i f\nd  

r>e opportunities = enli/+ ! m5 desir$ 9
 ! exp]im5ts4 ,i 0 n !n1 nor am ,i n[1 9
 any mann] affiliat$ ) ,spirituali/s1   
nor d ,i set =? ! facts ( ?is n>rative =
 ! purpose ( mak+ conv]ts to any !ory ( 
m9d or matt]4  ,! manuscript f :i* ?is  
"w is pr9t$ 0 writt5 at ! "t ( ! matt]s 
record$1 on an ord] f ! ,exam9]4 ,ow+ to
 ! fact t ,mayor ,ell]t aft]w>ds        
regrett$ t he _h all[$ a seance to be   
held 9 8 (fice1 ! ,exam9] 0 induc$ to   
suppress ! /ory1 :i* n[ appe>s 9 detail 
= ! fir/ "t4 ,x %\ld be borne 9 m9d t   
all t foll[s 0 writt5 at ! "t ( ! ev5ts 
describ$4     ,,*apt] ,,ii4  ,,!        
,,exam9] ,,seance4   ,t ! read] may     
fully und]/& ! orig9 ( ! exp]im5ts      
record$ 9 ! n>rative t foll[s1 x is     
necess>y to /ate aga9 t ,i 0 a writ] = !
 ,exam9] 9 ! autumn ( #ahic1 & t ,i 0 on
 ! al]t = :at newspap] m5 call /ories1  
or special articles--?+s a little       
outside ( ! ord9>y run ( news4          
,ambiti\s to arrange some?+ ( unusual   
int]e/1 ,i approa*$ ,mr4 ,he>/ & ,s4 ,s4

 ,*amb]la91 :o 7 9 *>ge ( ! news        
dep>tm5t ( ! pap]4 ,i told !m :at ,i _h 
se5 ,dr4 ,s*les+] d 9 ,mode/o1 & outl9$ 
! plans t 7 aft]w>ds c>ri$ out--seances 
at ! (fice ( ,mayor ,ell]t & ! ,*ief (  
,police1 9 ! pres5ce ( prom95t citiz5s4 
,fir/1 h[ev]1 x 0 necess>y = ! editors  
to see ! m$ium at _! (fices2 = !y fe>$  
!re w\ld be "s failure1 & t ! citiz5s   
invit$ w\ld be disgu/$ because ( _! loss
 ( "t 9 useless exp]im5ts4  ,= ^!       
reasons1 !re=e1 ! fir/ sitt+s 7 at !    
editorial (fices ( ! ,exam9]1 :]e !     
editors 7 z mu* puzzl$ z anybody else4  
,!y 7 at once conv9c$ t1 h[ev] he p]=m$ 
8 feats1 ,dr4 ,s*les+] 0 at lea/ n a    
bungl+ ma/] ( ! black art4 ,sev]al      
intellig5t obs]v]s 7 pres5t1 among !m "o
 or two ( ! brighte/ newspap] m5 9 !    
city4 ,! exp]im5ts 7 n only c>efully    
not$1 b !y 7 view$ ) grave suspicion4   
,!y 71 h[ev]1 :olly in=mal & m]ely      
prelim9>y to ! m important & prolong$   
seances t foll[$ at ! (fice ( ! ,mayor (
 ! city1 & lat] at ! (fice ( & 9 !      

pres5ce ( ! city's ,*ief ( ,police4 ,a  
few facts conc]n+ ! occurr5ces at !     
,exam9] (fice are giv5 t ! read] may h !
 full b5efit ( ! /ory4  ,"o ( !         
inve/igators 7,manag+ ,editor ,a4 ,b4   
,h5d]son7 wrote a numb] ( names on slips
 ( pap]1 be=e ,dr4 ,s*les+] arriv$4 ,!y 
7 n se5 or kn[n to any "o save ! p]son t
 prep>$ !m1 & ! slips on :i* !y 7 writt5
 7 c>efully fold$ & clasp$ 9 a bundle1  
by a rubb] b& or ela/ic4 ,great pa9s 0  
tak5 by ,mr4 ,h5d]son to prev5t ! m$ium 
f h&l+ or see+ ! slips4 ,)\t see+ !     
writ+1 ,dr4 ,s*les+] at once gave !     
names correctly4 ,"o ( !m 0 t ( ,?addeus
 ,/ev5s1 ! em95t ,p5nsylvanian2 & :5 !  
fold$ slip on :i* 8 "n 0 writt5 0 t\*$  
by ,mr4 ,h5d]son1 ! m$ium said3 ,t is ! 
"n ( ,?addeus ,/ev5s1 :o knew y well4   
,he calls y ,alex&]1 & s5ds y 8 love4   
,!n ! "n ( ! sitt]'s deceas$ uncle 0    
prop]ly ann\nc$1 ?\gh x _h n be5 writt5 
on any ( ! slips4 ,correct in=mation 0  
also giv5 conc]n+ ! uncle's religion    
:ile 9 ! fle%4  ,s4 ,s4 ,*amb]la91 n[   

,manag+ ,editor ( ! ,philadelphia ,nor? 
,am]ican1 7!n ,news ,editor ( ! ,exam9]7
 0 "o ( ! inve/igators4 ,he wrote d[n1  
on sep>ate slips ( pap]1 ! names ( _m   
liv+ & dead p]sons1 b1 contr>y to !     
m$ium's reque/1 he did n write ! names (
 p]sons he _h ev] kn[n4 ,9 a few mom5ts 
,dr4 ,s*les+] read ! names correctly    
:ile ! slips 7 beyond 8 rea*1 & firmly  
clasp$ 9 ,*amb]la9's h&4 ,!y 7 ( su*    
p]sons z ,john ,rusk91 ,ralph ,waldo    
,em]son1 ,%akespe>e1 ,longfell[1 etc4   
,a fai?ful report ( all t occurr$ 0     
submitt$ to ! manag+ editor ( ! pap]1 :o
 at once decid$ t a s]ies ( simil>      
exp]im5ts1 conduct$ at ! (fice ( !      
,mayor ( ! city & o!rs1 9 broad         
daylight1 w\ld make ! basis = "s int]e/+
 ,sunday specials4 ,"u 8 in/ructions ,i 
arrang$ ! seances1 & 0 pres5t at all (  
!m4 ,i subsequ5tly wrote a fai?ful      
acc\nt ( :at occurr$1 b ! articles 7    
reject$ by ! editor ( ! ,sunday ,exam9] 
= p]sonal reasons4 ,?is volume embraces 
! sub/ance ( :at 0 !n prep>$4           

,,*apt] ,,iii4  ,,"s ,,/>tl+ ,,daylight 
,,seances4   ,x 0 on ,septemb] #d1      
#ahic1 t a numb] ( ! mo/ prom95t citiz5s
 ( ,san ,francisco held a daylight      
seance 7at high noon7 at ! (fice (      
,mayor ,ell]t4 ,! company _h assembl$ 9 
response to ! ,exam9]'s invitation1 &   
all ( ! witnesses _h agre$ 9 advance to 
obs]ve ev]y?+ closely & write an        
absolutely fair acc\nt ( :at !y saw1    
add+ any !ory or explanation t seem$    
suffici5t to acc\nt = ! ph5om5a4  ,x is 
z well to say t is 0 a mir?ful assembly 
at ! outset1 & ! newspap] man :o _h     
arrang$ = ! exp]im5ts 0 ! butt ( _m     
little jokes4 ,! idea t ! m$ium c\ld d  
any?+ m ?an a little clev] juggl+ seem$ 
f>!/ f anybody's ?\ghts4  ,dr4 ,l\is    
,s*les+]1 !n a man ab\t sixty-"o ye>s ( 
age1 0 ! spirituali/ m$ium :o said he   
c\ld conv9ce all pres5t t ! dead return1
 & t he c\ld hold communion ) ! liv+4 ,!
 foll[+ spectators 7 pres5t1 & ! writt5 
reports ( "s ( !m are giv5 9 full 9 !   
subjo9$ n>rative3 ,mayor ,levi ,r4      

,ell]t1 ,di/rict ,attorney ,w4 ,s4      
,b>nes1 ,presid5t ,!odore ,f4 ,bonnet1 (
 ! ,san ,francisco ,press ,club1        
,ex-,presid5t ,grant ,c>p5t]1 ( ! same  
club1 ,h4 ,h4 ,mc,closkey1 !n a ,/ate   
,c5tral ,committeeman ( ! ,republican   
p>ty1 & _m o!r casual obs]v]s4  ,at     
ano!r seance ,*ief ( ,police ,cr[ley1   
,judge ,rob]t ,f]ral1 ,dr4 ,r4 ,e4      
,bunk]1 & ,attorney ,*>les ,l4 ,patton 7
 ! pr9cipal inve/igators1 ?\gh ,capta9  
,wright & _m o!rs saw all t 0 done4 ,at 
?is seance ! obs]vations 7 conduct$ "u !
 te/ conditions arrang$ by ,*ief        
,cr[ley1 ,dr4 ,bunk]1 & ,attorney       
,patton4  ,! read] %\ld satisfy himself 
conc]n+ ! m5tal & moral qualifications (
 all ! witnesses nam$ by glanc+ at !    
biographical sket*es else:]e 9 ?is      
volume4  ,at ! ,mayor's (fice ,dr4      
,s*les+] 0 ann\nc$ z a resid5t ( ,no4 #a
 ,polk ,/reet4 ,he said he knew none ( !
 committee1 & nobody pres5t except !    
,exam9]'s repres5tative knew !          
,doctor4#a       #a ,he n[ lives 9      

,bo/on4--,editor4  ,i c conv]se ) !     
spirits ( y\r deceas$ fri5ds1 said !    
m$ium1 & ,i am giv+ my life to ?is "w4  
,i gave up a great tea bus9ess to tea*  
my fell[ m5 t life does n end at !      
grave4 ,my home is con/antly fill$ ) b&s
 ( angels f ! cele/ial dep?s1 b ,i am   
able to call a few spirits ar\nd any    
box1 table1 or desk4 ,i want y to       
satisfy y\rself t all t is done "h is   
absolutely hone/4  ,be=e proce$+ fur!r !
 ,doctor produc$ a te/imonial f ,editor 
,w ,s4 ,gre51 ( ! ,colusa ,sun 7aft]w>ds
 ,/ate ,treasur]71 :i* expla9$ t ,dr4   
,s*les+]'s p]=mances c\ld n be expla9$  
on ! !ory ( trick]y4 ,a clipp+ f ! ,sun 
( ,septemb] #e1 #ahij1 gave an acc\nt ( 
matt]s t _h puzzl$ ! p ( ,colusa4 ,!    
inve/igations began1 !re=e1 ) a great   
deal ( int]e/1 & be=e _! conclusion !   
old ,doctor _h greatly puzzl$ all       
pres5t4 ,!y c\ld n tell :e!r x 0 "s     
psy*ic p[] by :i* he op]at$1 or :e!r !y 
_h be5 basely deceiv$4  ,at 8 own       
reque/1 ,dr4 ,s*les+] 0 n introduc$ to  

any ( ! p]sons pres5t4 ,he soon call$ _!
 names1 h[ev]1 & said !y 7 giv5 to him  
by ! spirits 9 ! raps t all c\ld he> on 
! desk4  ,! ,doctor's favorite me?od (  
communicat+ />tl+ in=mation 0 to h !    
sitt]s write1 be=e !y came into 8       
pres5ce1 fifte5 or tw5ty names ( liv+ & 
dead fri5ds4 ,ea* "n be+ on a sep>ate   
piece ( pap]1 ! visitors 7 reque/$ to   
fold ea* slip tightly1 s z to preclude  
any possibility ( its be+ read by !     
m$ium4 ,?is done1 ! slips1 all ( equal  
size1 7 put into a hat & ?or\ghly       
%uffl$4 ,! ,doctor w\ld !n say3 ,pick   
out any slip y\rself1 & ,i w read x )\t 
look+ & be=e y y\rself "k :at ! "n is4  
,!re w\ld !n be raps1 & 9 a few seconds 
! ,doctor w\ld give ! "n correctly4 ,^! 
names 7 writt5 & fold$ 9 a room ap>t f !
 ,doctor4  ,grant+ t !re is su* a ?+ z  
m9d-read+1 said ,*ief ,cr[ley1 ,i d n   
?9k m9d-read+ w\ld acc\nt = :at 0 done =
 me1 because he read ?+s t 7 n 9 my m9d1
 tell+ me my "m's maid5 "n & :]e %e di$4
  ,dr4 ,s*les+] calls 8 gift clairaudi5t

 m$ium%ip1 & says 8 "r e> is deaf to all
 t]re/rial s\nds1 b quick5$1 z ) a six? 
s5se1 = communications f ! o!r _w4 ,he  
says he c bo? see & he> spirits1 & t b&s
 ( !m encircle him1 & at times1 9 !     
pres5ce ( "s peculi>ly fit visitors1    
manife/ !mselves ) great cle>ness & p[]4
 ,to prove t ! s\nds he he>s are        
cele/ial voices1 he does _m ?+s :i*     
baffle ^? :o witness ! /range ph5om5a   
:i* ab\nd 9 8 pres5ce :]ev] he goes4  ,x
 0 ) mu* difficulty t ^? :o p>ticipat$ 9
 ^! seances & ^: acc\nts ( :at !y saw   
are subjo9$1 7 induc$ to give ! m$ium a 
he>+4 ,*ief ,cr[ley 0 p>ticul>ly oppos$ 
to giv+ s]i\s att5tion to :at he d5\nc$ 
z trick]y & sleight ( h&1 & aft]w>ds    
call$ m>vel\s & beyond p[] (            
explanation4 ,f9ally he wrote d[n a     
numb] ( names on sep>ate slips1 z       
expla9$ 9 ! =ego+1 & among ^? names     
appe>$ t ( 8 "m--h] maid5 "n4 ,! m$ium  
at once told ! ,*ief :i* pellet conta9$ 
8 "m's "n1 !n read x1 & 9 a few mom5ts  
told :]e %e di$ & :]e %e 0 buri$4  ,a   

few m9utes lat] ! ag$ ,doctor said3 ,!  
_s ( ,detective ,hutton1 :o di$ a viol5t
 dea?1 hov]s ne> y4  ,! m$ium !n spoke (
 matt]s t 7 kn[n to nobody b ,*ief      
,cr[ley & ! dead detective4 ,?is greatly
 puzzl$ ! ,*ief1 :o 0 lat] deeply       
affect$ ov] purport$ messages f a son & 
o!rs :o _h be5 de> to him 9 life4       
,speak+ ( ! purport$ message f 8 dead "m
 ! ,*ief said3 ,i _c expla9 ?is1 :i* is 
m>vel\s1 = ,i d n believe a human be+ 9 
,san ,francisco knew t my "m's maid5 "n 
0 ,elizabe? ,mc,carthy1 t %e di$ 9 ,new 
,j]sey & 0 buri$ 9 ,new ,york4  ,*ief   
,cr[ley !n wrote d[n a li/ ( ye>s1 among
 !m ! ye> ( 8 "m's dea?4 ,dr4 ,s*les+]  
po9t$ to ! ye> #ahcc z t ( h] dea?4     
,correct6 repli$ ,*ief ,cr[ley2 :]eupon 
! m$ium said1 & ! "n ( y\r fa!r1        
,patrick ,j4 ,cr[ley1 is also "h1 & he  
comes ) y\r son ,lewis1 :o has n be5    
dead long4  ,! ,*ief ?\ght x ! mo/      
wond]ful p]=mance he _h ev] se54 ,he    
does m>vel\s & inexplicable ?+s1 said ! 
,*ief1 & ,i'll admit ,i _c tell h[ x is 

done4 ,:ile ,i _c believe he conv]ses ) 
spirits1 ,i am puzzl$4 ,i want to see   
him aga9 & look into ! matt] fur!r4     
,illu/ration3 ,,ex-,,*ief ,,( ,,police  
,p4 ,,cr[ley4   ,! exp]im5ts ) ,mayor   
,l4 ,r4 ,ell]t1 :o sprang f 8 *air &    
positively decl9$ to be ?r[n into a     
trance condition :5 ! doctor reque/$ him
 ?us to visit ! _s _w1 7 fully z />tl+ z
 ^? ) ,*ief ,cr[ley4  ,mayor ,ell]t took
 a *air 9 front ( 8 (ficial table1 :i*  
_h ?us be5 d$icat$ to spiritual uses1 & 
ask$ if any spirits desir$ to           
communicate ) him1 :]eupon ! m$ium      
grasp$ 8 ,honor's h&s & ! l9e (         
communication ) ! spirits 0 decl>$ fully
 e/abli%$4 ,q di/9ct raps 7 !n he>d on !
 table1 & ,dr4 ,s*les+] look$ at !      
,mayor & said3 ,y are a m$ium y\rself1  
sir6 ,my1 :at a p[]6  ,! ,mayor 0 urg$  
to sit alone (t5 & be pati5t1 & 0 told t
 he c\ld develop mu* p[] by su* a c\rse4
   ,illu/ration3 ,,hon4 ,l4 ,r4 ,,ell]t4
   ,mayor ,ell]t !n wrote d[n t5 (      
fifte5 names ( liv+ & dead fri5ds1 on   

sep>ate slips ( pap]4 ,he refus$ to use 
! pap] h&$ him by ,dr4 ,s*les+]1 b cut  
up an (ficial lett] head :i* lay on 8   
own desk4 ,z he began to write ! names1 
! m$ium /epp$ away & engag$ 9           
conv]sation ) ,di/rict ,attorney ,b>nes 
& ,mr4 ,bonnet at ! o!r side ( ! room1 s
 t he c\ld n see :at ,mayor ,ell]t      
wrote4 ,! ,mayor c>efully fold$ ! slips1
 put !m 9 a hat1 & %uffl$ !m4 ,he !n    
br\ght "o =? f ! hatful4  ,t's a dead   
"o1 said ,dr4 ,s*les+]4 ,op5 x & see    
:e!r ,i am correct2 b don't let me see  
x4  ,! ,mayor obey$ ! reque/1 & answ]$1 
,yes1 ?is is a dead p]son's "n6  ,don't 
let me see x1 said ! my/]i\s visitor1 & 
,i'll tell y :at x is1 :]eupon he at    
once correctly pron\nc$ ! "n ( !        
,mayor's si/]1 :i* 0 n ,ell]t4  ,!      
,mayor !n ann\nc$ t he 0 unable to      
expla9 ! ph5om5a4 ,he wat*$ ! m$ium's   
movem5ts & conv9c$ himself t !re _h be5 
no juggl+ 9 ! %uffle1 & said t 8 visitor
 out-,h]mann$ ,h]mann4 ,he w\ld leave ! 
solution ( ! ph5om5a to o!rs le>n$ 9 !  

arts ( div9ation4   ,illu/ration3       
,,*>les ,l4 ,,patton4   ,! outcome ( !  
seances & ! /ory ( :at occurr$ may be/  
be told by ^? :o 7 pres5t1 & ! subjo9$  
v]sions are giv53--   ,,attorney        
,,patton',s ,,/ory4  ,i desire to       
preface :at ,i h to say by rem>k+ t :ile
 ,i h nev] be5 nor am ,i n[ a           
spirituali/1 nor h ,i ev] be=e be5      
pres5t at ! p]=mance ( a m$ium1 yet :at 
,i saw ( ,dr4 ,s*les+]'s s-call$        
manife/ations f ! _s _w is entirely     
inexplicable to me ^u any sci5tific     
hypo!sis ) :i* ,i am famili>2 yet at !  
same "t ,i mu/ admit t ,i _c expla9 !   
ph5om5a exhibit$ ^u any !ory ( leg]dema9
 or sleight ( h& )9 my k4 ,!re=e1 ,i    
m]ely /ate t ,i h se51 or seem+ly se51 &
 he>d ! foll[+ rem>kable ?+s1 dur+ !    
sitt+ or seance ) ,dr4 ,s*les+]1 leav+ x
 to o!rs m compet5t ?an ,i to det]m9e   
:e!r !y are ! manife/ations ( "s psy*ic 
=ce at pres5t unadmitt$ by sci5ti/s or !
 leg]dema9 ( a sleight-(-h& p]=m]4  ,!  
facts are z foll[s3 ,at ! reque/ ( !    

,doctor1 ,i wrote eight or t5 names (   
diff]5t p]sons on z _m slips ( pap]1 two
 ( ! numb] be+ dead1 & fold$ ! slips 9  
su* a mann] t ! ,doctor c\ld n read !m2 
& s f> z ,i c judge1 ! ,doctor c\ld n h 
_h any me?od ( kn[+ :at names ,i wrote4 
,i !n plac$ ! fold$ pap]s 9 a hat1 & "o 
( ! o!r g5tlem5 pres5t drew !m out "o by
 "o4 ,! ,doctor1 z ea* pap] 0 drawn out1
 ask$ "s "q1 su* z ',guide1 is ?is ! "o 
dead8' ,f9ally1 aft] all ! pap]s _h be5 
held up & ! que/ions ask$1 "s raps on ! 
table1 seem+ to h indicat$ accord+ to ! 
,doctor t ! p]sons ^: names 7 on two ( !
 slips 7 dead1 ,i1 on exam9ation1 f\nd t
 he 0 correct 9 8 judgm5t4 ,he !n )\t 7s
 f> z ,i c\ld see7 hav+ _h any          
opportunity to h se5 ! names1 desir$ me 
to place ! slips ) ! names on 9 my      
pocket4 ,pres5tly he said3 ',i see two  
faces ov] y\r %\ld]2 ! "n ( "o is ,j4   
,b4 ,! o!r says3 ,i am glad y h         
commemorat$ my "n by writ+ x "h1 ! "n is
 ,v4 ,c42' ! ,doctor be+ correct 9 nam+ 
! deceas$ p]son 9 ea* in/ance1 & !      

message be+ appropriate to ! "* ( !     
deceas$ p]son4 ,i w add1 t1 s f> z ,i   
"k1 ,dr4 ,s*les+] _h no possible means (
 kn[+ ! "n or any?+ ab\t ei!r p]son4 ,"o
 ( ! names1 ,i feel confid5t1 0 n kn[n  
to any p]son 9 ,cali=nia outside (      
myself4          ,,*as4 ,l4 ,,patton4   
,,b>nes ,,0 ,,puzzl$4  ,di/rict         
,attorney ,b>nes gives ! foll[+ acc\nt (
 ! seance3--  ,i 0 completely surpris$  
at ! p]=mance 9 ! ,mayor's (fice4 ,x 0 !
 fir/ seance ,i _h ev] att5d$1 & ,i mu/ 
confess t ,i _h n ! slighte/ respect =  
su* manife/ations o!r ?an a natural     
admiration = ! quickness ( ! op]ator4 ,i
 _h always suppos$ t batt]ies1 wires1 a 
tol]able acqua9tance ) ! sitt]1 all aid$
 by d>kness1 7 ! causes ( ! effects     
produc$ by ! m$ium4 ,9 ?is case1 h[ev]1 
! seance took place 9 broad daylight1 & 
no attempt 0 made1 s f> z ,i c\ld see1  
to use any me*anical means4 ,! m$ium sat
 two or ?ree feet f ! ,mayor's desk1 &  
only t\*$ ! desk occasionally ) 8 h&1   
yet f t desk came ! _s rapp+s t 7 cle>ly

 audible to all ( u 9 ! room4 ,i wat*$ !
 o!rs write li/s ( names conta9+ ea* !  
"n ( "s dead p]son1 & saw ! quickness ) 
:i* ,dr4 ,s*les+] pick$ out ! p]sons :o 
_h pass$ away1 & gave messages f !m4 ,:5
 x came my turn ,i wrote a numb] ( names
 on small slips ( pap]1 fold$ !m & held 
!m 9 my h&4 ,among ^! names 0 t ( a     
classmate ( m9e at ,h>v>d1 :o di$ long  
ago at ,philadelphia1 :o _h nev] be5 9  
,cali=nia1 & ^: "n ,i h n m5tion$ =     
ye>s4 ,h>dly _h ,i sat d[n :5 ,dr4      
,s*les+] call$ 8 full "n & gave me a    
message f him1 recall+ an occurr5ce1 s  
f> z ,i am aw>e1 kn[n only to ! dead man
 & myself4 ,to say t ,i 0 amaz$ b feebly
 expresses x2 & :5 ,i ask$ ! ,doctor    
:5ce he got 8 in=mation1 he repli$1 ',x 
is borne to me on angels' w+s4'         
,illu/ration3 ,,attorney ,w4 ,s4        
,,b>nes4   ,:e!r x 0 or n1 x 0 a mo/    
rem>kable ?+1 & deeply impress$ ^u me t 
',!re are m ?+s 9 heav5 & e>? ?an are   
dreamt ( 9 our philosophy4'             
,,william ,s4 ,,b>nes4  ,sev5 ye>s aft] 

! =ego+ 0 writt51 ,mr4 ,b>nes express$  
himself z /ill deeply puzzl$4 ,i _c ?9k 
( any exp]i5ce 9 life s m>vel\s1 he     
said1 s beyond my p[] to expla94        
,,judge ,,f]ral',s ,,te/imony4          
,ex-,judge ,rob]t ,f]ral's n>rative     
l>gely corroborates :at ! o!rs said4 ,he
 pres5ts ! case 9 8 own way4  ,hav+ tak5
 a deep int]e/ f e>ly boyhood 9         
exhibitions ( a m>vel\s nature1 su* z   
magic1 leg]dema91 mesm]ism1 hypnotism1  
m9d-read+1 & spiritualism1 x 0 )        
pleasure t ,i accept$ ! k9d invitation  
to visit ,dr4 ,s*les+] & p]sonally      
witness 8 exp]im5ts & manife/ations4  ,i
 f\nd ! ,doctor an ag$1 v5]able man1 9 a
 l>ge room1 surr\nd$ by a company (     
ladies & g5tlem51 bright1 *e]ful1 &     
intellig5t1 all app>5tly b5t ^u !       
rational enjoym5t ( ?is life1 & happy 9 
! belief ( companionable int]c\rse ) !  
realm ( spirits4  ,retir+ to m quiet    
qu>t]s1 consi/+ ( an ord9>y b$room &    
p>lor1 ! bus9ess began )\t wa/e ( words 
or loss ( "t4 ,hav+ writt5 ! names (    

half a doz5 p]sons1 liv+ & dead1 ea* "n 
on a sep>ate slip1 c>efully fold$ &     
look+ precisely alike1 :i* 7 toss$ into 
a hat & well %ak5 up1 ! doctor proce$$  
to "n ! cont5ts ( ea* pap] z x 0 drawn  
out4 ,occasionally he made a mi/ake1 b 9
 ne>ly e in/ance succe$$ at ! fir/ or   
second trial4 ,he fir/ sep>at$ ! liv+ f 
! dead1 )\t op5+ ! slips1 & sometimes n 
ev5 t\*+ !m2 !n proce$$ to give ! names4
 ,aft]w>d1 ^u writ+ place & cause (     
dea?1 age1 occupation1 etc41 ^u o!r     
slips1 ! same result foll[$4 ,"s ( !    
names submitt$ by me 7 peculi>1 & ,i    
believe kn[n to no "o else 9 ?is city1  
yet !y 7 ann\nc$--read (f1 z x 7--) b   
little hesitation & g5]ally exactly z   
writt54 ,! same ?+ occurr$ z to !       
diseases & places ( dea?4               
,illu/ration3 ,,judge ,,rob]t ,,f]ral4  
,dur+ ?is manife/ation ( 8 p[] ,dr4     
,s*les+] simply =m$ a circle or *a9 (   
h&s1 connect+ ) himself1 frequ5tly tapp$
 ! table1 & appeal$ to an unse5 'guide' 
= 8 in=mation4 ,raps 7 said to h be5    

he>d also1 b ( ?is ,i _c be> te/imony4  
,h[ 0 ?is done8 ,by mesm]ism8 ,no2 = !re
 0 no?+ 9 ! nature ( sleep or putt+ to  
sleep4 ,m9d-read+8 ,possibly2 al?\gh "s 
( ! slips ( pap] 7 read correctly :5 !  
cont5ts 7 = ! "t =gott5 & unkn[n to     
myself4 ,hypnotism8 ,don't "k1 hav+ b a 
fa9t idea h[ f> ^! ph5om5a ext5d4 ,by   
%>pness ( sight1 trick]y1 sleight ( h&8 
,i _c answ]1 at lea/ = ! pres5t1 rema9+1
 z be=e1 an agno/ic on ^! matt]s2 unable
 to give an intellig5t explanation1 b at
 ! same "t n dispos$ to je] or sc(f at  
:at ,i d n und]/&4 ,respectfully1       
,,rob]t ,,f]ral4             ,septemb]  
#e1 #ahic4   ,,dr4 ,,bunk]',s           
,,n>rative4  ,! foll[+ is ,dr4 ,r4 ,e4  
,bunk]'s acc\nt1 writt5 at 8 old (fice1 
,no4 #hjb ,ke>ny ,/reet1 j aft] !       
seances & :ile he 0 /ill 9 *>ge ( !     
,city ,receiv+ ,hospital3--  ,i saw ,dr4
 ,s*les+] 9 company ) ! o!r g5tlem5     
nam$1 & ,i saw wond]ful ?+s :i* ,i am   
:olly unable to expla94 ,! ph5om5a1     
manife/ations1 or ?+s t occur 9 !       

m$ium's pres5ce are n only int]e/+1 b   
m>vel\s4 ,i w5t possess$ ( some?+ l     
eight or t5 slips ( pap]1 on ea* ( :i*  
,i _h previ\sly writt5 7at my (fice7 a  
"n ( "s p]son ,i _h kn[n--"s liv+1 "s   
dead4 ,n a s\l ev] saw ! slips1 = ,i 0  
alone :5 ,i wrote ! names4 ,fur!rmore1  
!y 7 s fold$ t no "o c\ld possibly h    
read a s+le "n4 ,dr4 ,s*les+] at once   
pick$ out ! names ( liv+ & dead p]sons1 
:ile ! slips 7 held betwe5 my f+]s & :5 
,i did n "k :at p]son's "n 0 on !       
p>ticul> slip t ,i held4 ,he pron\nc$ e 
"n correctly :ile ,i held ! pellet1 or z
 x lay unt\*$ on 8 table4  ,to say t :at
 he did 0 by ! aid ( wires or batt]ies  
w\ld be to imp>t to wires & batt]ies m  
intellig5ce ?an ! greate/ philosoph]s h 
ev] possess$4 ,?is is no explanation2   
nor has any "o ev] be5 able to expla9 to
 me h[ ^! ?+s 7 done4 ,i d n believe x 0
 m9d-read+ 7a t]m t conveys no          
intellig5t idea to me anyh[71 = ,i did n
 "k ! "n on ! slip "u "q--n until ,i    
aft]w>ds unfold$ x & corroborat$ !      

,doctor's read+s4 ,y und]/& t ! entire  
bun* _h be5 ?or\ghly %uffl$ 9 a hat be=e
 any slip 0 pick$ up4  ,to come to      
specific in/ances1 let me give a few    
cases z !y occurr$4 ,on "o slip ,i _h   
writt5 my "m's maid5 "n1 :i* 0 n kn[n to
 anybody 9 ,san ,francisco4 ,x 0 plac$  
among eight or t5 o!r names ( wom5--"s  
m>ri$1 "s unm>ri$1 "s :olly fictiti\s4  
,all slips 7 fold$ alike & plac$ 9 a hat
 "u ! table1 :i* ,i held 9 my h&s4 ,dr4 
,s*les+] ask$ me to pick out ! pellets1 
"o at a "t & hold !m betwe5 my f+] &    
?umb4 ,he w\ld say1 ',t is n ! "n1 ?r[ x
 aside2' & s on1 until he hesitat$ at "o
 pellet & said1 ',t is y\r "m's maid5   
"n2 x is ,emily ,j4 ,laumann4'  ,! answ]
 0 correct1 & 9 a simil> mann] he read  
o!r names & told me all ab\t ! p]sons4  
,i _h writt5 ! "n ( ,dick ,fo/] on "o   
slip4 ,fo/] _h di$ ( consumption at !   
old ,bella ,union ,!at]1 on ,june #ba/4 
,! m$ium did n read 8 "n1 b wrote a     
message backw>ds--t is1 f left to "r--v 
rapidly1 & :5 ,i held x up to ! light ) 

! writt5 surface f me1 ,i c\ld read !   
foll[+3--       ,i am glad to be "h1 &  
if ,i c obta9 ! appropriate conditions  
,i w %[ my id5tity4       ,,dick ,,fo/]4
  ,?is 0 a puzzl+ ?+1 & ,i %\ld l = "s  
"o to expla9 h[ x 0 done1 if !re 0 n    
communication ) "s invisible            
intellig5ce4 ,9 reg>d to ,fo/]'s "n x   
%\ld be said t ! m$ium _h n se5 nor he>d
 x1 & t 8 h& flew ov] ! pap] v fa/ :ile 
he wrote ! backw>d message4 ,s f> z ,i  
c\ld see1 ,dr4 ,s*les+] 0 q deaf &      
ne>-sight$4 ,he 0 an old man ( heavy    
weight & clumsy f+]s4 ,8 mann] 0 t ( a  
dev\t believ] 9 ! g5u95ess ( 8 !ory4 ,if
 any "o c expla9 to me h[ ^! ?+s 7 done1
 he w int]e/ me f> m ?an ,dr4 ,s*les+]  
did1 & x %\ld be said t my att5tion to  
:at he did 0 held )\t int]ruption f !   
/>t4 ,!re 7 sev]al o!r l te/s :]e9 he   
read = me o!r names by a process equally
 />tl+1 mak+ "o feel t he _h m>vel\s    
p[]s4          ,r4 ,e4 ,,bunk]1 ,m4 ,d4 
,,:at ,,mr4 ,,bonnet ,,saw4  ,!odore ,f4
 ,bonnet1 :o 0 a report] = ! ,daily     

,report at ! "t ( ! seance at ! ,mayor's
 (fice1 0 a gue/ ( ! au?or dur+ !       
seance4 ,mr4 ,bonnet1 :o is n[ editor & 
own] ( ,t[n ,talk1 an influ5tial weekly 
newspap]1 wrote ! foll[+ acc\nt ( :at he
 saw & h&$ x to ! au?or j aft] !        
seance3--  ,aft] witness+ ! ef=ts ( ,dr4
 ,s*les+] z a m$ium1 "o _c b be impress$
 by 8 m>vel\s p[]s ( div9ation4 ,!y are 
impossible ( explanation on any hypo!sis
 calculat$ to r$uce 8 "w to ! vulg>     
plane ( leg]dema94 ,yet ! manife/ations1
 z he is pleas$ to call 8 m>vel\s1      
puzzl+ & app>5tly sup]natural           
revelations conc]n+ matt]s ) :i* he c\ld
 n become famili> "u ord9>y             
circum/ances1 are aft] all1             
unsatisfactory to ! p]son engag$ 9 te/+ 
8 p[]4 ,i mu/ give him cr$it1 h[ev]1 =  
hav+ />tl$ me by "o message4 ,i _h      
writt5 on small slips ( pap]1 :i* 7 !n  
c>efully fold$--all ?is an h\r or m be=e
 ! meet+4 ,"o ( ! names 0 ,joseph       
,t\hill1 an ,oakl& burgl>1 :o _h be5    
kill$ by a policeman :o caught him robb+

 a saloon4 ,i _h kn[n ,t\hill1 & _h be5 
q fri5dly ) him 9 late ye>s1 b _h nev]  
suspect$ t he 0 ( ! ,jekyll & ,hyde     
species4 ,! m$ium did n at once direct  
me to ! piece ( pap] on :i* ,t\hill's "n
 0 writt51 b aft]w>ds he sudd5ly said3  
',! _s ( ! man ) :om y wi% to           
communicate is "h n[4'   ,illu/ration3  
,,editor ,,!odore ,f4 ,,bonnet4   ,i    
signifi$ my will+ness to he> f ! _s1    
:]eupon ! ,doctor said1 ',old boy1 ,i'm 
n q z dead z y ?9k4' ,!n he m5tion$ ! "n
 ( ,joseph ,t\hill4 ,n[1 ?is circum/ance
 deeply impress$ me1 because ! language 
0 s *>act]i/ic ( ! dead burgl>1 x hav+  
be5 cu/om>y ) him to address me z ',old 
boy4' ,m9d-read+ w h to be reject$ z an 
explanation1 because ! ,doctor          
subsequ5tly read a "n t 0 on a pellet t 
,i _h n op5$1 & knew no?+ ab\t until ,i 
subsequ5tly read x4 ,i pick$ up ! pellet
 f ! desk :]e ,i _h put x ) a numb] (   
o!rs1 & h&$ x to ,mayor ,ell]t1 :o1 )\t 
exam9+ x1 deposit$ x 9 8 ve/-pocket4 ,!n
 came rapp+s on ! table1 & ! m$ium said3

 ',beh9d y /&s ! _s ( ! man ^: "n is on 
t pap]4 ,he 0 an em95t p]son1 & he di$  
f> away f "h4 ,he is wav+ a flag ov] y\r
 head1 & on x is writt5 ! "n ( ,victor  
,hugo4'  ,! "n 0 correct4 ,subsequ5tly !
 ,doctor correctly read ! "n ( ,william 
,cull5 ,bryant1 :i* ,i _h also writt54  
,! ,doctor quot$ ! _s ( ! poet z say+ t 
he 0 delight$ t ,i 0 int]e/$ 9          
demon/rat+ t !re 0 a _w ( spirits4 ,dr4 
,s*les+]'s feats are bewild]+ to ! human
 m9d4 ,if he is a m]e trick/] he        
possesses 9 a m>vel\s way ! skill to    
disguise 8 "*1 = 8 appe>ance & demeanor 
are ^? peculi> to fanaticism or /rong   
fai? 9 a cause4          ,,!o4 ,f4      
,,bonnet4   ,,mr4 ,m',,closkey',s       
,,v]sion4  ,! foll[+ is ! n>rative (    
,mr4 ,h4 ,h4 ,mc,closkey1 a resid5t (   
,m]c$ at ! "t ( ! seance1 b n[ a ,san   
,francisco lawy]3--  ,i did n att5d !   
little seance at ! ,mayor's (fice by    
appo9tm5t4 ,i 0 on my way to f9i% up "s 
bus9ess & cat* ! #d-o'clock boat1 :5    
,di/rict ,attorney ,b>nes sugge/$ t ,i  

drop 9 & see ! fun4 ,int5d+ to rema9 b a
 few mom5ts1 ,i accept$ ! invitation1 & 
h no reason to regret hav+ done s4 ,z to
 :at happ5$ !re1 :ile ,i rememb]        
p]fectly well :at 0 done1 & kept c>eful 
note ( all t ,i saw1 ,i am unable to    
acc\nt = x on any o!r hypo!sis ?an t !  
,doctor 01 z he claims to be1 a         
spiritual m$ium4 ,at ! same "t ,i am n  
prep>$ to admit t mu*4  ,:at ,i saw ,i  
saw cle>ly2 x 0 real & devoid (         
illusion4 ,!re be+ no "o pres5t b !     
,mayor & ?or\ghly reputable g5tlem51    
collusion by :i* a portion ( ! ev5ts ( t
 aft]noon might be acc\nt$ = is1 (      
c\rse1 out ( ! "q2 & nei!r collusion1   
m9d-read+1 nor any?+ else c\ld acc\nt = 
all t occurr$4  ,! ,doctor reque/$ me to
 write on sev5 slips ( pap]1 "o on ea*  
slip1 ! names ( six acqua9tances1 five (
 :om 7 liv+ & ! six? dead4 ,on ! sev5?  
my own "n 0 to be writt54 ,i _h nev] se5
 ! ,doctor be=e1 & h no reason to       
suppose t he _h ev] se5 me4 ,i us$ my   
own p5cil 9 writ+ ! names1 & wrote ^u   

pap] furni%$ by ! city & c\nty = ! use (
 8 ,honor ! ,mayor4 ,:5 writ+ ! names ,i
 0 tw5ty feet away f ! ,doctor1 & z ,i  
wrote ^u ea* slip ,i fold$ x up         
c>efully1 s t ,i myself c\ld n see any?+
 ( ! writ+1 nor tell "o ( ! sev5 slips f
 ! o!rs4 ,five ( ! names 7 ^? ( intimate
 p]sonal fri5ds1 ! six? ( a man :om ,i  
knew 9 a bus9ess way1 b = :om1 :ile ,i 0
 n at all intimate ) him1 ,i _h always a
 great reg>d4 ,?is man is dead1 & has   
be5 s = a c\ple ( ye>s4  ,9 ob$i5ce to !
 ,doctor's reque/1 ,i plac$ ! sev5 slips
 on ! table4 ,tak+ ! h& ( ,mr4 ,b>nes1  
,i hold+ ! h& ( ! latt]1 ! ,doctor      
proce$$ to take ! slips "o by "o f !    
table4 ,! fir/ he held a second &       
dropp$4 ,! second he h&$ to me say+1    
',?is conta9s y\r "n4' ,^u op5+ x ,i    
f\nd ! ,doctor to be correct1 & ask+ him
 :at my "n 0 he promptly told u4  ,i    
confess ,i 0 a little my/ifi$1 b !      
,doctor didn't /op !re4 ,cont9u+1 he    
pick$ up ! o!r slips until ! fif? "o _h 
be5 rea*$4 ',?is is ! "n ( y\r dead     

fri5d4 ,8 "n is ,v4 ,c4 ,w4 ,hook]--n   
exactly1 b a "n v simil>4 ,i c't q make 
x out4 ,he says he w talk to y at ano!r 
"t4' ,z y saw :5 ,i op5$ ! slip x %[$ z 
,i _h writt5 x ! "n ( ,v4 ,c4 ,w4       
,hoop]1 a man :o 0 q prom95t 9 ,m]c$    
dur+ 8 lifetime4 ,j h[ ! ,doctor f\nd t 
out ,i leave to o!rs :o 7 !re to expla9 
:5 !y h "t aft] acc\nt+ = ! my/]i\s ?+s 
t happ5$ to !mselves4 ,i _c & w n pret5d
 to4 ,x 0 n m9d-read+1 h[ev]4 ,( t ,i am
 satisfi$4 ,= z he pick$ up ! fif? slip 
& said1 ',?is is ! "n ( ! dead man1' he 
did n get t in=mation by read+ my m9d1 =
 !re 7 two m slips rema9+1 & ,i c\ldn't 
say :i* 0 :i*4 ,t is beyond any         
explanation4 ,m9d-read+ w n fit x at    
all4  ,"o ( ! p>ty--,i ?9k x 0 ,mr4     
,b>nes--wrote ! "n ( two dead m5 9 8    
li/4 ,leav+ out ! fir/ problem--! pick+ 
up ( ! "r slip--putt+ t aside1 h[ is x  
to be expla9$ t ! ,doctor *ose ! "r "n (
 ! two dead ones8 ,mr4 ,b>nes did n "k4 
,he _h n op5$ ! slip2 !re=e ! ,doctor   
c\ld n read 8 m9d4 ,= myself1 ,i give up

 ! conundrum4          ,v truly4        
,h4 ,h4 ,,mccloskey4     ,,*apt] ,,iv4  
,,"* ,,( ,,! ,,n>rators4   ,to any "o :o
 has a fair k ( human nature1 a glance  
at ! l9e pictures ( ! g5tlem5 :o        
p>ticipat$ 9 ! ev5ts ) :i* ?is book     
deals w tell t !y are m5 ( "* & ke5     
obs]vation4 ,9 ,san ,francisco & ?r\gh\t
 ! ,we/ _m ( !m are z well kn[n z !     
,gov]nor ( ! ,/ate4  ,_! names ne$ no   
introduction1 & s9ce !y h be5           
repres5tative m5 = _m ye>s x is n       
necess>y to say mu* ab\t !m4 ,= ! b5efit
 ( p]sons :o "k no?+ conc]n+ !m1 h[ev]1 
! foll[+ in=mation is submitt$3--       
,,patrick ,,cr[ley1 ,*ief ( ,police1 0  
born 9 ,albany ,c\nty1 ,new ,york1 on   
,m>* #ag1 #ahca4 ,:5 q "y he w5t to ,new
 ,york & work$ 9 diff]5t pr9t+-(fices4  
,he came to ,san ,francisco 9 #ahej1 &  
work$ 9 ! m9+-camps = two or ?ree ye>s4 
,he 0 engag$ 9 ! boat+ bus9ess "h1 :5 9 
#ahed he 0 elect$ to ! (fice ( ,t[n     
,con/able on ! ,democratic ticket4 ,he 0
 re-elect$ on ! same ticket 9 #ahee1 & f

 #ahef he 0 re-elect$ e two ye>s on !   
old ,p's ,p>ty ticket till #ahff1 :5 he 
0 elect$ ,*ief ( ,police4 ,he held t    
(fice by election = six ye>s1 :5 he quit
 ! =ce & w5t into ! brok]age bus9ess4 ,9
 #ahgh1 by an act ( ! ,legislature1 !   
,bo>d ( ,police ,commission]s receiv$ ! 
p[] to appo9t ! ,*ief ( ,police4 ,!     
(fice 0 t5d]$ him1 & aft] consid]able   
pressure he reluctantly accept$ x1 z he 
0 mak+ an excell5t liv+ at 8 bus9ess4   
,he held ! (fice by election or         
appo9tm5t = tw5ty-f\r successive ye>s4  
,8 wide exp]i5ce ) crim9als1 bunko-m51 &
 all sorts ( trick/]s gave him excell5t 
tra9+ & amply fitt$ him = a ?or\gh      
inspection ( all t 0 done dur+ !        
seances4 ,9 fact1 x 0 8 boa/ at ! beg9n+
 ( 8 sitt+ ) ,dr4 ,s*les+] t he _h help$
 to trap ! ,eddies & o!r disreputable   
m$iums1 & t he w\ld soon expose ! fraud 
9 ! case 9 h&4  ,,william ,s4 ,,b>nes1  
son ( ! eloqu5t & fam\s ,g5]al ,w4 ,h4  
,l4 ,b>nes 7kn[n all ov] ,am]ica z !    
greate/ liv+ aft]-d9n] orator1 & kn[n   

all ov] ! ,unit$ ,/ates z a ,republican 
orator71 is a graduate ( ,h>v>d & a man 
( f9e legal atta9m5ts4 ,he is "o ( ! mo/
 prom95t ,native ,sons1 & is fam\s = 8  
%rewdness z ,prosecut+ ,attorney = !    
great ,city & ,c\nty ( ,san ,francisco4 
,x 0 he :o prosecut$ & convict$ ,!odore 
,durrant 9 "o ( ! mo/ m>vel\s crim9al   
cases ( ! c5tury4 ,he 0 also ! /> lawy] 
9 ! prosecution ( ! great ,sydney ,bell 
footpad case4 ,mr4 ,b>nes 0 ! organiz] &
 presid5t ( ! ,association ( ,di/rict   
,attorneys ( ,cali=nia2 is an active    
memb] ( ,cali=nia ,lodge ,no4 #a1 ,f4   
,a4 ,m41 a memb] ( ! ,pacific-,union    
,club1 also ( ! ,union ,league1 ( :i* he
 is "o ( a committee on political       
action1 ( ! ,ju>ez ,manufactur+         
,company1 ( :i* he is ,presid5t4 ,?us 8 
ma/]y 9 ! legal pr(ession is no less    
equal$ 9 8 social & bus9ess             
associations4  ,attorney ,,*>les ,l4    
,,patton is ,gr& ,ma/] ( ,cali=nia      
,masonic frat]nity1 & is a g5tleman ( ! 
highe/ p]sonal & pr(essional "*4 ,he 0 a

 /rong competitor aga9/ ,mayor ,phelan1 
& 0 *os5 by ! ,republican p>ty a few    
ye>s ago z ! be/ c&idate aga9/ ! pres5t 
7#aijj7 ,mayor ( ! city4 ,mr4 ,patton is
 a man ( mu* erudition & wide exp]i5ce )
 m5 & books4 ,he1 l all 8 associates1 & 
l ! writ] ( ?is book1 0 & is a skeptic  
reg>d+ ! tru? ( s-call$ spiritual       
ph5om5a4 ,8 acc\nt speaks = itself4     
,mayor ,l4 ,r4 ,,ell]t is a man ( legal 
atta9m5ts & ( wide bus9ess int]e/s4 ,he 
0 a popul> re=m ,mayor1 & 0 9 (fice at !
 "t ( ! occurr5ces n>rat$4 ,he is to-day
 "o ( ! be/-kn[n & mo/ highly respect$  
lawy]s & bus9ess m5 ( ,san ,francisco4  
,= _m ye>s he 0 a skillful ph>maci/1 & 8
 wide k ( drugs & physiology 0 useful 9 
! attempt$ solution ( ! v>i\s problems  
pres5t$ by ! m$ium4  ,judge ,,rob]t     
,,f]ral is ! w>horse ( ,democracy1 & "o 
( ! ,ne/ors ( ! ,cali=nia b>4 ,he made  
"s ( ! mo/ spirit$ races ev] ent]$ ^u = 
,congress1 & poll$ ! l>ge/ vote ev] kn[n
 = an unpopul> political p>ty 9 ! old   
days4 ,z a judge & crim9al lawy] ( wide 

exp]i5ce1 z well z by reason ( 8        
unexcell$ lit]>y atta9m5ts & ext5d$     
exp]i5ce 9 ! sci5ce ( hypnotism & k9dr$ 
ph5om5a1 ! ,judge 0 an invaluable       
spectator & p>ticipant1 especially z 8  
native wit usually enables him to see   
?r\gh _m ?+s t puzzle o!r m54 ,"h1      
h[ev]1 he /ood dumbf\nd$4  ,dr4 ,r4 ,e4 
,,bunk] is a regul> physician ( high    
reputation & p]sonal /&+4 ,he 0 at ! "t 
( ! matt]s record$ 9 *>ge ( ! ,city     
,receiv+ ,hospital1 & 0 consid]$ "o ( ! 
mo/ c>eful & compet5t obs]v]s at !      
seance4 ,l all o!rs nam$1 ,dr4 ,bunk]'s 
^w is absolutely above reproa*1 & !re is
 n a m compet5t man 9 ! c\ntry4         
,,!odore ,f4 ,,bonnet 0 at ! "t ( !     
seance a report] = ! ,daily ,report4 ,he
 0 aft]w>ds elect$ to ! important       
position ( ,lic5se ,collector1 & is n[  
editor & own] ( ,t[n ,talk4 ,?is is "o (
 ! be/ weekly pap]s 9 ! ,unit$ ,/ates1 &
 its success dates f its pur*ase by !   
g5tleman nam$4 ,mr4 ,bonnet is an ,elk (
 high /&+1 & a man ( good family &      

social position4 ,9 addition to all ^!  
facts1 x %\ld be borne 9 m9d t 8 long   
tra9+ z a report] fitt$ him 9 a         
peculi>ly advantage\s way = ! duties (  
try+ to detect :at 0 done by ! m$ium4   
,h4 ,h4 ,,mccloskey 0 a casual visitor  
at ! seance1 be+ ! gue/ ( ,di/rict      
,attorney ,b>nes4 ,mr4 ,mc,closkey 0 at 
! "t a resid5t ( ,m]c$1 & 0 a prom95t   
lawy] & politician4 ,he 0 also a        
,republican ,/ate ,c5tral ,committeeman 
& 0 consid]$ "o ( ! able/ ( ! p>ty4 ,he 
is to-day a well-kn[n ,san ,francisco   
attorney4 ,8 acc\nt ( ! seance expla9s j
 :at occurr$4  ,^! facts1 ) "s ( !      
pictures1 w give ! read] an idea ( ! m5 
^: n>ratives he has d\btless read )     
pleasure4  ,9 conclusion1 x %\ld be     
rememb]$ t ?is book is sold by !        
publi%]s only4 ,x w be s5t to any       
address = fifty c5ts4 ,if y h enjoy$    
read+ x1 recomm5d x to ! next fri5d y   
meet4