Well, dont go out of your way to find out. It isnt of vital importance that I should know. May I be excused, Madam Wife? Im called to the busy martsand all that sort of thing. Embury rose from the table, a big, tall man, graceful in his every motion, as only a trained athlete can be. Devoted to athletics, he kept himself in the pink of condition physically, and this was no small aid to his vigorous mentality and splendid business acumen.
Wait a minute, San, and for the first time that morning there was a note of timidity in Eunices soft voice. Please give me a little money, wont you?
Money, you grasping young person! What do you want it for?
WhyIm going to Newark, you know
Going to Newark! Yes, but youre going in Hendricks carthat doesnt require a ticket, does it?
Nobut II might want to give the chauffeur something when I get out
Nonsense! Not Hendricks chauffeur. Thats all right when youre with formal friends or Comparative strangersbut it would be ridiculous to tip Hendricks Gus!
Embury swung into the light topcoat held by the faithful Ferdinand.
But, dear, and Eunice rose, and stood by her husband, I do want a little money, she fingered nervously the breakfast napkin she was still holding.
What for? was the repeated inquiry.
Oh, you seeI might want to do a little shopping in Newark.
Shop in Newark! Thats a good one! Why, girlie, you never want to shop outside of little old New York, and you know it. Shop in Newark!
Embury laughed at the very idea.
ButI might see something in a window thats just what I want.
Then make a note of it, and buy it in New York. You have an account at all the desirable shops here, and I never kick at the bills, do I, now?
No; but a woman does want a little cash with her
Oh, that, of course! I quite subscribe to that. But I gave you a couple of dollars yesterday.
Yes, but I gave one to a Red Cross collector, and the other I had to pay out for a C.O.D. charge.
Why buy things C.O.D. when you have accounts everywhere?
Oh, this was something I saw advertised in the evening paper
And you bought it because it was cheap! Oh, you women! Now, Eunice, thats just a case in point. I want my wife to have everything she wantseverything in reason, but theres no sense in throwing money away. Now, kiss me, sweetheart, for Im due at a directors meeting in two shakesor thereabouts.
Embury snapped the fastening of his second glove, and, hat in hand, held out his arms to his wife.
She made one more appeal.
Youre quite right, San, maybe I didnt need that C.O.D. thing. But I do want a little chickenfeed in my purse when I go out to-day. Maybe theyll take up a collection.
A silver offering for the Old Ladies Home,eh? Well, tell em to come to me and Ill sign their subscription paper! Now, good-by, Dolly Gray! Im off!
With a hearty kiss on Eunices red lips, and a gay wave of his hand to Aunt Abby, Embury went away and Ferdinand closed the door behind him.
I cant stand it, Aunt Abby, Eunice exclaimed, as the butler disappeared into the pantry; if Sanford were a poor man it would be different. But hes made more money this year than ever before, and yet, he wont give me an allowance or even a little bit of ready money.
But you have accounts, Aunt Abby said, absently, for she-was scanning the paper now.
Accounts! Of course, I have! But there are a thousand things one wants cash for! You know that perfectly well. Why, when our car was out of commission last week and I had to use a taxicab, Sanford would give me just enough for the fare and not a cent over to fee the driver. And lots of times I need a few dollars for charities, or some odds and ends, and I cant have a cent to call my own! Al Hendricks may be of coarser clay than Sanford Embury, but he wouldn treat a wife like that!
It is annoying, Eunice, but Sanford is so good to you
Good to me! Why shouldnt he be? It isnt a question of goodness or of generosityits just a fool whim of his, that I mustnt ask for actual cash! I can have all the parties I want, buy all the clothes I want, get expensive hats or knick-knacks of any sort, and have them all charged. Hes never even questioned my billsbut has his secretary pay them. And I must have some money in my purse! And I will! I know ways to get it, without begging it from Sanford Embury!
Eunices dark eyes flashed fire, and her cheeks burned scarlet, for she was furiously angry.
Now, now, my dear, dont take it so to heart, soothed Aunt Abby; Ill give you some money. I was going to make you a present, but if youd rather have the money that it would cost, say so.
I darent, Aunt Abby. Sanford would find it out and hed be terribly annoyed. Its one of his idiosyncrasies, and I have to bear it as long as I live with him!
The gleam in the beautiful eyes gave a hint of desperate remedies that might be applied to the case, but Ferdinand returned to the room, and the two women quickly spoke of other things.
Hendricks perfectly appointed and smooth-running car made the trip to Newark in minimum time. Though the road was not a picturesque one, the party was in gay spirits and the host was indefatigable in his efforts to be entertaining.
Ive looked up this Hanlon person, he said, and his record is astonishing. I mean, he does astonishing feats. Hes a juggler, a sword swallower and a card sharpthat is, a card wizard. Of course, hes a faker, but hes a clever one, and Im anxious to see what his game is this time. Of course, its, first of all, advertisement for the paper thats backing him, but its a new game. At least, its new over here; they tell me its done to death in England.
Oh, no, Alvord, it isnt a game, insisted Miss Ames; if the man is blindfolded, he cant play any tricks on us. And he couldnt play tricks on newspaper men anywaytheyre too bright for that!
I think they are, too; thats why Im interested. Warm enough, Eunice?
Yes, thank you, and the beautiful face looked happily content as Eunice Embury nestled her chin deeper into her fur collar.
For, though late April, the day was crisply cool and there was a tang in the bright sunshiny air. Aunt Abby was almost as warmly wrapped up as in midwinter, and when, on reaching Newark, they encountered a raw East wind, she shrugged into her coat like a shivering Esquimau.
Where do we go to see it? asked Eunice, as later, after luncheon, she eagerly looked about at the crowds massed everywhere.
Well have to reconnoiter, Hendricks replied, smiling at her animated face. Drive on to the Oberon, Gus.
As they neared the theatre the surging waves of humanity barred their progress, and the big car was forced to come to a standstill.
Ill get out, said Hendricks, and make a few inquiries. The Free Press office is near here, and I know some of the people there.
He strode off and was soon swallowed up in the crowd.
I think I see a good opening, said Gus, after a moment. Ill get out for a minute, Mrs. Embury. I must inquire where cars can be parked.
Go ahead, Gus, said Eunice; well be all right here, but dont go far. Ill be nervous if you do.
No, maam; I wont go a dozen steps.
No, maam; I wont go a dozen steps.
Extry! Extry! All about the Great Magic! Hanlon the Wonderful and his Big Stunt! Extry!
Oh, get a paper, Eunice, do, urged Aunt Abby from the depths of her fur coat. Ask that boy for one! I must have it to read after I get homeI cant look at it now, but get it! Here, youBoysay, Boy!
The newsboy came running to them and flung a paper into Eunices lap.
There yare, lady, he said, grinning; theres yer paper! Gimme a nickel, cant yer? I aint got time hangin on me hands!
His big black eyes stared at Eunice, as she made no move toward a purse, and he growled: Hurry up lady; I gotta sell some papers yet. Think nobuddy wants one but you?
Eunice flushed with annoyance.
Please pay him, Aunt Abby, she said, in a low voice; Ihavent any money.
Goodness gracious me! Havent five cents! Why, Eunice, you must have!
But I havent, I tell you! I cant see Alvord, and Gus is too far to call to. Go over there, boy, to that chauffeur with the leather coathell pay you.
No, thanky mum! Ive had that dodge tried afore! Pity a grand dame like you cant scare up a nickel! Want to work a poor newsie! Shame for ya, lady!
Hush your impudence, you little wretch! cried Aunt Abby. Here, Eunice, help me get my purse. Its in my inside coat pocketunder the rugthere, see if you can reach it now.
Aunt Abby tried to extricate herself from the motor rug that had been tucked all too securely about her, and failing in that, endeavored to reach into her pocket with her gloved hand, and became hopelessly entangled in a mass of fur, chiffon scarf and eyeglass chain.
I cant get at my purse, Eunice; theres no use trying, she wailed, despairingly. Let us have the paper, my boy, and come back here when the owner of this car comes and hell give you a quarter.
Yeshe will! shouted the lad, and hell give me a dimon pin an a gold watch! Id come back, willin enough, but me root lays the other way, an I must be scootin or Ill miss the hull show. Sorry! The boy, who had no trouble in finding customers for his papers, picked up the one he had laid on Eunices lap and made off.
Never mind, Auntie, she said, well get another. Its too provokingbut I havent a cent, and I dont blame the boy. Now, find your purseor, never mind; here comes Alvord.
Just fell over Mortimer! called out Hendricks as the two men came to the side of the car. I made him come and speak to you ladies, though I believe its holding up the whole performance. Let me present the god in the machine!
Not that, said Mr. Mortimer, smiling; only a small mechanical part of to-days doings. Ive a few minutes to spare, though but a few. How do you do, Miss Ames? Glad to see you again. And Mrs. Embury; this brings back childhood days!
Tell me about Hanlon, begged Miss Ames. Is he on the square?
So far as I know, and I know all there is to know, I think. I was present at a preliminary test this morning, and Ill tell you what he did. Mortimer looked at his watch and proceeded quickly. In at the Free Press office one of the men took a piece of chalk and drew a line from where we were to a distant room of the building. The line went up and down stairs, in and out of various rooms, over chairs and under desks, and finally wound up in a small closet in the city editors office. Welland I must jump away nowthat wizard, Hanlon, being securely blindfoldedI did it myselffollowed that line, almost without deviation, from start to finish. Through a building he had never seers before, and groping along in complete darkness.
How in the world could he do it? Aunt Abby asked, breathlessly.
The chap who drew the line was behind himbehind, mind youand he willed him where to go. Of course, he did his best, kept his mind on the job, and earnestly used his mentality to will Hanlon along. And did! There, thats all I know, until this afternoons stunt is pulled off. But what Ive told you, I do knowI saw it, and I, for one, am a complete convert to telepathy!
The busy man, hastily shaking hands, bustled away, and Hendricks told in glee how, through his acquaintance with Mortimer, he had secured a permit to drive his car among the front ones that were following the performance, which was to begin very soon now.
Gus returned, and they were about to start when Aunt Abby set up a plea for a copy of the paper that she wanted.
Good-natured Gus tried his best, Hendricks himself made endeavors, but all in vain. The papers were gone, the edition exhausted. Nor could any one whom they asked be induced to part with his copy even at a substantial premium.
Sorry, Miss Ames, said Hendricks, but we cant seem to nail one. Perhaps later we can get one. Now we must be starting or well soon lose our advantage.
The crowd was like a rolling sea by this time, and only the efficiency of the fine police work kept anything like order.
Cautiously the motor car edged along while the daring pedestrians seemed to scramble from beneath the very wheels.
And then a cheer arose which proclaimed the presence of Hanlon, the mysterious possessor of second sight, or the marvelous reader of anothers mindnobody knew exactly which he was.
Chapter III
The Stunt
Bowing in response to the mighty cheer that greeted his appearance, Hanlon stood, smiling at the crowd.
A young fellow he seemed to be, slender, well-knit and with a frank, winning face. But he evidently meant business, for he turned at once to Mr. Mortimer, and asked that the test be begun.
A few words from one of the staff of the newspaper that was backing the enterprise informed the audience that the day before there had been hidden in a distant part of the city a penknife, and that only the hider thereof and the Hon. Mr. Mortimer knew where the hiding place was.
Hanlon would now undertake to go, blindfolded, to the spot and find the knife, although the distance, as the speaker was willing to disclose, was more than a mile. The blindfolding was to be done by a committee of prominent citizens and was to be looked after so carefully that there could be no possibility of Hanlons seeing anything.
After that, Hanlon engaged to go to the hiding place and find the knife, on condition that Mr. Mortimer would follow him, and concentrate all his willpower on mentally guiding or rather directing Hanlons footsteps.
The blindfolding, which was done in full view of the front ranks of spectators, was an elaborate proceeding. A heavy silk handkerchief had been prepared by folding it in eight thicknesses, which were then stitched to prevent Clipping. This bandage was four inches wide and completely covered the mans eyes, but as an additional precaution pads of cotton wool were first placed over his closed eyelids and the bandage then tied over them.
Thus, completely blindfolded, Hanlon spoke earnestly to Mr. Mortimer.
I must ask of you, sir, that you do your very best to guide me aright. The success of this enterprise depends quite as much on you as on myself. I am merely receptive, you are the acting agent. I strive to keep my mind a blank, that your will may sway it in the right direction. I trust you, and I beg that you will keep your whole mind on the quest. Think of the hidden article, keep it in your mind, look toward it. Follow menot too closelyand mentally push me in the way I should go. If I go wrong, will me back to the right path, but in no case get near enough to touch me, and, of course, do not speak to me. This test is entirely that of the influence of your will upon mine. Call it telepathy, thought-transference, will-poweranything you choose, but grant my request that you devote all your attention to the work in hand. If your mind wanders, mine will; if your mind goes straight to the goal, mine will also be impelled there.