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know。 Erwe have had scoffers sometimes； but I trust I may rely upon
you not to laugh at anything you may not happen to agree with？〃
With conscientious dignity I replied that I had only really laughed
seven times in my life； and therefore the entertainment was one which
I was not likely to embark upon hastily or with inadequate cause。 He
immediately expressed a seemly regret that the detail had been spoken；
and again assuring him that at the stated hour I would present myself
at the house bearing the symbol engraved upon the card； we definitely
parted。
That； as a matter of fact； I did not so present myself at the exact
hour； chiefly concerns the uncouth and arbitrary…minded charioteer who
controlled the movements of the vehicle to which the one whom I was
seeking had explicitly referred； for at an angle in the road he
suffered the horses to draw us aside into a path which did not
correspond to the engraved signs upon the card； nor by any word of
persuasion could he be prevailed upon to return。
Thus； without any possible reproach upon the manner in which I was
conducting the enterprise； it came about that by the time I reached
the spot indicated； all those persons who had been spoken of as
constituting a chosen band were assembled； and with them the
barbarian princess。 Nevertheless； this person was irreproachably
greeted； and the maiden indicated even spoke a few words to him in an
outside tongue。 Being necessarily unacquainted with the import of the
remark I spread out my hands with a sign of harmonious sympathy and
smiled agreeably； whereat she appeared to receive an added esteem from
the faces of those around （excluding those directly of the House of
Glidder）； and was thereby encouraged to speak similarly at intervals；
this person each time replying in a like fashion。
〃Is he then a Guide of the Way； also； princess？〃 said the one Pash；
who had noted the occurrence； to which the maiden replied； 〃To a
degree； yet lacking the Innermost Mysteries。〃
Presently it was announced that all things were fittingly prepared in
another chamber。 Here； upon a table of polished wood； stood on the one
side a round stone with certain markings； a group of inscribed books；
and various other emblems； and on the other side a bowl of water； a
sphere of crystal； pieces of unwritten parchment； and behind all； and
at a distance away； a sheet of transparent glass； greater in height
than an ordinary person and as wide。 When all were seatedthe one who
had enticed me among them placing himself before the stone； the person
Pash guarding the books； the barbarian princess being surrounded by
her symbols and alone in a self…imposed solitude； and the others at
various pointsthe lights were subdued and the appearances awaited。
It would scarcely be respectful； O my enlightened father； to take up
your well…spent leisure by a too prolific account of the matters which
followed； they being in no way dissimilar from the manifestations by
which the uninitiated little ones of Yuen…ping are wont to amuse
themselves and pass the winter evenings。 From time to time harmonious
sounds could be plainly detected； flowers and branches of wood were
scattered sparsely here and there； persons claimed that passing
objects had touched their faces； and misshapen forms of smoke…like
density （which some confidently recognised as the outlines of departed
ones whom they had known）； revealed themselves against the glass。 When
this had been accomplished； the lights were recalled； and the
barbarian maiden； sinking into a condition of languor； announced and
foretold events and happenings upon which she was consulted； sometimes
replying by spoken words； at others suffering her hand to trace them
lightly upon the parchment sheets。 Thus； to an inquirer it was
announced that one； Aunt Mary； in the Upper Air； was well and happy；
though undeniably pained at the action of Cousin William in the matter
of the freehold houses； and more than sceptical how his marriage would
turn out。 Another was advised that although the interest on Consols
was admittedly lower than that anticipated by those controlling the
destines of a new venture entitled； The Great Rosy Dawn Gold Mine
Development Syndicate； and the name certainly less poetically
inspiring； the advising spirits were of the opinion that the former
enterprise would prove the more stable of the two； and； in any case；
they recommended the person in question to begin by placing not more
than half of her life's savings into the mine。 The family of the House
of Pash was assured that beneficent spirits surrounded them at every
turn； and that their good deeds were not suffered to fall unfruitfully
to the ground； while many bearing the name of Glidder； on the other
hand； were reproved by one who had known them in infancy for the
offences of jealousy； ostentation； vain thoughts； shallowness of
character； and the like。
At length； revered； as there seemed to be no reasonable indication of
any barbarian phantom of weight or authority appearingnothing；
indeed； beyond what a person in our country； of no admitted skill；
would accomplish in the penetrating light of day with two others
holding his hands； and a third reposing upon his head； I formed the
perhaps immature judgment that the one to whom I was indebted for the
entertainment would be suffering a grievous frustration of his hopes
and a diminution of his outward authority。 Therefore； without
sufficient consideration of the restricted surroundings； as it
afterwards appeared； I threw myself into a retrospective vision； and
floating unencumbered through space； I sought for Kwan Kiang…ti； the
Demon of the Waters； upon whom I might fittingly call； as I was given
into his keeping by the ceremony of spirit…adoption at an early age。
Meeting an influence which I recognised to be an indication of his
presence； in the vicinity of the Eighth Region； I obsequiously
entreated that he would reveal himself without delay； and then；
convinced of his sympathetic intervention； I suffered my spirit to
recall itself； and revived into the condition of an ordinary
existence。
〃We have among us this evening； my friends；〃 the one Pash was saying；
〃a very remarkable ladyif I may use so democratic a term in the
connectionto whom the limits of Time and Space are empty words； and
before whose supreme Will the most portentous Forces of Occult Nature
mutely confess themselves her attending slaves〃 But at that moment
the rolling drums of Kiang…ti's thunder drowned his words； although he
subsequently raised his voice above it to entreat that any knives or
other articles of a bright and attractive kind should at once be
removed to a place of safety。
Heralded by these continuous sounds； and accompanied by innumerable
flashes of lightning； the genius presently manifested himself；
leisurely developing out of the air around。 He appeared in his
favourite guise of an upright dragon； his scales being arranged in
rows of nine each way； a pearl showing within his throat； and upon his
head the wooden bar。 The lights were extinguished incapably by the
rain which fell continually in his presence； but from his body there
proceeded a luminous breath which sufficiently revealed the various
incidents。
〃Kong Ho；〃 said this opportune vision； speaking with a voice like the
beating of a brass gong； 〃the course you have adopted is an unusual
one； but the weight and regularity of your offerings have merit in my
eyes。 Nevertheless； if your invocation is only the outcome of a
shallow vanity or a profane love of display； nothing can save you from
a painful death。 Speak now； fully and without evasion； and fear
nothing。〃
〃Amiable Being；〃 said this person； kow…towing profoundly； 〃the matter
was designed to the end only that your incomparable versatility might
be fittingly displayed。 These barbarians sought vainly to raise
phantoms capable of any useful purpose； whereupon I； jealous of your
superior omnipotence； judged it would be an unseemly neglect not to
inform you of the opportunity。〃
〃It is well；〃 said the demon affably。 〃All doubt in the matter shall
now be set at rest。 Could any more convincing act be found than that I
should breath upon these barbarians and reduce them instantly to a
scattering of thin white ashes？〃
〃Assuredly it would be a conclusive testimony；〃 I replied； 〃yet in
that