Shiel was delighted--it gave him an extra half-hour
with Gladys. When Madame was free, she had much to tell them. First of
all she spoke to them of Karmas, Kamadevas, Rupadevas, vitalized
shells, etheric doubles, the Nermanakaya, and afterwards solemnly
announced that she must relapse into a state of clairvoyance, in order
to get in touch with Tillie Toot, a certain spirit from whom she could
learn all that Gladys and Shiel wanted to know. Accordingly, in the
manner of most other two-guinea clairvoyants, she composed herself in
a graceful and recumbent attitude, made a lot of queer grimaces and
still queerer noises, and spoke in a falsetto voice, which purposed to
be that of Tillie Toot, once a barmaid in Edinburgh, now one of
Madame's familiar spirits. And the gist of what "Tillie" told them was
that Hamar & Co. derived their powers from Black Magic; and that the
secrets thereof could only be learned from Madame, after a series of
sittings with her--sittings for which Madame would only require a fee
of fifty guineas: a most moderate, in fact quite trifling, sum,
considering the wonderful instruction they would receive. But Madame's magnanimous offer tempted neither Gladys nor Shiel; and
they abruptly took their departure. Kateroski (_née_ Jones) in Regent Street, whom Gladys and Shiel had
agreed to consult in the event of a non-successful visit to Madame
Elvita in Bond Street, also told them that Black Magic was the key to
Hamar, Curtis & Kelson's performances. She advised them to get on the
Astral Plane, where they would meet spirits who would give them all
the information they desired. Madame Kateroski's instructions were simple. "It is really a matter of
faith," she said. "All you have to do is to go to some secluded
spot--the privacy of your bedroom will do admirably--sit down, close
your eyes, look into your lids and concentrate hard. After a while you
will no longer see your eyelids--your lids will fade away and you will
be on the Astral Plane, and see strange creatures, which, although
terrifying, won't harm you. When you get used to them, you will
communicate with them, and learn from them all you want to know." "Shall we try?" Gladys remarked laughingly to Shiel, as they stepped
into the street. "But if faith is essential to success, I fear
failure, as far as I am concerned, is a foregone conclusion. I know I
shouldn't have sufficient faith." "Nor I either," Shiel said. "But, perhaps, we could acquire a
necessary amount of it, if we were to experiment together. Supposing
we try in that delightfully secluded copse in your garden." Gladys shook her head. "I'm afraid it would be useless. Besides, if my
father were to hear of it, he would fear worry had turned my brain,
and most likely have another fit. No, we must think of something more
practical. In the meanwhile, if you will keep on with the part, you
have so generously undertaken, you will be doing me an inestimable
service." "Then I'll keep on with it for ever," Shiel replied, and before she
could stop him, he had kissed her hand. CHAPTER XV

HOW HAMAR, CURTIS AND KELSON ENTERED THE ASTRAL PLANE


In order to explain the manner in which Hamar, Kelson and Curtis were
initiated into their new properties, I must now go back to the day
preceding the gratis performance of the Modern Sorcery Company, that
is to say the last day of stage one of the compact. To Kelson the day had been one of surprises throughout. When he
arrived at the building in Cockspur Street (he preferred living alone,
and, consequently, rented a handsome suite of rooms in John Street,
Mayfair), he was not a little astonished to meet Lilian Rosenberg on
the staircase. "I thank you so much!" she exclaimed, shaking hands with him most
effusively. "It is all owing to you I got the post." "Then Hamar has engaged you," Kelson ejaculated. "Why, yes! didn't you know!" Lilian said with a smile. "I had a letter
from him the very evening of the day I called here." "Did you! He never told me anything about it! How do you think you
will get on?" "Oh, splendidly! The work is interesting and full of variety. Moreover, I like the atmosphere of the place, it is so weird. I
believe the three of you really are magicians!" "If that be so," Kelson said, "then we have only acted in accordance
with our character in engaging the services of a witch--a witch who
has already bewitched one member of the trio. Now please don't go to
the expense of lunching out: lunch with me instead. Lunch with me
every day." "It is very kind of you," Lilian Rosenberg replied, "and I will gladly
do so when I am not lunching with Mr. Hamar. But he has invited me to
have all my meals with him." "That doesn't mean you are obliged to have them with him every day!" Kelson cried. "Lunch with me this morning." "I am very sorry," Lilian Rosenberg replied, looking at Kelson with
mock pleading eyes, "please don't scold me, but I've really promised
Mr. Hamar." "Have tea with me, then," Kelson said. "I've promised him that, too." "Supper then!" Kelson said, savagely. "I'm awfully sorry, but I'm engaged all this evening, and practically
every evening." "With Mr. Hamar?" Kelson asked suspiciously. "Oh no! my own private business," Lilian Rosenberg replied. "Do
forgive me. I should so like to have been able to accept your
invitation. Now I must hurry back to my work," and she gave him her
hand, which Kelson held, and would have gone on holding all the
morning, had he not heard Hamar's well-known tread ascending the
stairs. "Look here!" he said, as they entered his room together, "I want Miss
Rosenberg to have luncheon with me one day this week, and she tells me
you have already invited her. Let her come with me to-morrow." "It is impossible," Hamar said. "Now I'll tell you what it is, Matt, I
anticipated this the moment I saw you two together, and its got to
stop. You would genuinely fall in love with that girl--or as a matter
of fact any other pretty girl--if you saw much of her--and love, I
tell you, would be absolutely disastrous to our interests. You must
let her alone--absolutely alone, I tell you. I have given her strict
orders she is to confine herself to her work, and to me." "I think you take a great deal too much on yourself. I shall see just
as much of Miss Rosenberg, when she is disengaged, as I please." "Then she never shall be disengaged. But come, do be sane and put some
restraint on this mad infatuation of yours for pretty faces. Can't you
keep it in check anyhow for two years--till after the term of the
compact has expired! Then you will be free to indulge in it, to your
heart's content. For Heaven's sake, be guided by me. Harmony between
us must be kept at all costs. Don't you understand?" "Oh, yes! I understand all right," Kelson said, "and I'll try. But
it's very hard--and I really don't see there would be any danger in my
taking her out occasionally." "Well, I do," Hamar replied, "and there's an end. To turn to something
that may spell business.