1 00:00:00,360 --> 00:00:06,360 Speaker 1: The Problem of the Crystal Gazer by Jacques Poutrel. With hideous, 2 00:00:06,639 --> 00:00:10,679 goggling eyes, the great god Bud sat cross legged on 3 00:00:10,759 --> 00:00:15,720 a pedestal and stared stolidly into the semi darkness. He saw, 4 00:00:16,079 --> 00:00:19,559 by the wavering light of a peacock lamp, which swooped 5 00:00:19,600 --> 00:00:22,719 down from the ceiling with wings out stretched, what might 6 00:00:22,760 --> 00:00:25,160 have been a nook in a palace of East India. 7 00:00:25,920 --> 00:00:31,719 Draperies hung here there everywhere, richly embroidered vans sprawled about. 8 00:00:32,240 --> 00:00:36,560 Fierce tiger rugs glared up from the floor. Grotesque idols 9 00:00:36,600 --> 00:00:41,439 grinned mirthlessly in unexpected corners. Strange arms were grouped on 10 00:00:41,520 --> 00:00:47,399 the walls. Outside, the trolley cars clanged blatantly. The single 11 00:00:47,479 --> 00:00:51,439 human figure was a distinct contradiction of all else. It 12 00:00:51,520 --> 00:00:55,159 was that of a man in evening dress, smoking. He 13 00:00:55,280 --> 00:00:58,799 was fifty perhaps sixty years old, with the ruddy color 14 00:00:58,840 --> 00:01:01,640 of one who has lived a great deal out of doors. 15 00:01:02,159 --> 00:01:04,599 There was only a touch of gray, and his abundant 16 00:01:04,640 --> 00:01:09,439 hair and mustache. His eyes were steady and clear and indolent. 17 00:01:10,599 --> 00:01:13,959 For a long time he sat. Then the draperies to 18 00:01:14,040 --> 00:01:17,719 his right parted, and a girl entered. She was a 19 00:01:17,760 --> 00:01:20,519 part of the picture of which the man was a contradiction. 20 00:01:21,120 --> 00:01:25,799 Her lustrous black hair flowed about her shoulders, lambent. Mysteries 21 00:01:25,879 --> 00:01:28,439 lay in her eyes. Her dress was the dress of 22 00:01:28,480 --> 00:01:31,599 the East. For a moment she stood looking at the man, 23 00:01:31,879 --> 00:01:36,560 and then entered with light tread. Verick Sihib, she said, timidly, 24 00:01:36,719 --> 00:01:39,840 as if it were a greeting. Do I intrude? Her 25 00:01:39,920 --> 00:01:43,719 voice was softly guttural, with the accent of her native tongue. 26 00:01:44,280 --> 00:01:47,760 Oh no, Jada, come in, said the man. She smiled 27 00:01:47,799 --> 00:01:51,560 frankly and sat down on a hassock near him. My brother, 28 00:01:51,959 --> 00:01:55,599 she asked, he is in the cabinet. Verreck had merely 29 00:01:55,640 --> 00:01:59,719 glanced at her, and then continued his thoughtful gaze into vacancy. 30 00:02:00,239 --> 00:02:02,680 From time to time she looked up at him shyly, 31 00:02:03,040 --> 00:02:05,799 with a touch of eagerness, but there was no answering 32 00:02:05,920 --> 00:02:10,000 interest in his manner. His thoughts were far away. May 33 00:02:10,000 --> 00:02:13,159 I ask what brings you this time, Sahib? She inquired, 34 00:02:13,199 --> 00:02:18,120 at last, A little deal in the market, responded Verec carelessly. 35 00:02:18,560 --> 00:02:20,759 It seems to have puzzled at him as much as 36 00:02:20,759 --> 00:02:23,199 it did me. He has been in the cabinet for 37 00:02:23,240 --> 00:02:26,719 half an hour. He stared on musingly as he smoked, 38 00:02:27,159 --> 00:02:30,919 then dropped his eyes to the slender, graceful figure of Jade. 39 00:02:31,479 --> 00:02:34,199 With knees clasped in her hands. She leaned back on 40 00:02:34,319 --> 00:02:38,520 the hassock, deeply thoughtful. Her head was tilted upward, and 41 00:02:38,560 --> 00:02:42,159 the flickering light fell full on her face. It crossed 42 00:02:42,240 --> 00:02:45,039 Verek's mind that she was pretty, and he was about 43 00:02:45,080 --> 00:02:46,840 to say so, as he would have said it to 44 00:02:46,919 --> 00:02:50,000 any other woman, when the curtains behind them were thrown 45 00:02:50,039 --> 00:02:54,680 apart and they both glanced around. Another man, an East 46 00:02:54,719 --> 00:02:58,800 Indian entered. This man was at him, seeing the crystal 47 00:02:58,919 --> 00:03:03,080 gazer and the ostentatious robes of a seer. He too 48 00:03:03,240 --> 00:03:05,879 was a part of the picture. There was an expression 49 00:03:05,879 --> 00:03:10,039 of apprehension mingled with some other impalpable quality on his 50 00:03:10,199 --> 00:03:15,400 strong face. Well at him, inquired Verik, I have seen 51 00:03:15,479 --> 00:03:20,240 strange things, Sahib, replied the seer solemnly. The crystal tells 52 00:03:20,280 --> 00:03:24,680 me of danger. Danger, repeated Verec, with a slight lifting 53 00:03:24,759 --> 00:03:28,080 of his brows. Oh, well, in that case, I shall 54 00:03:28,159 --> 00:03:31,199 keep out of it. Not danger to your business, Sahib. 55 00:03:31,400 --> 00:03:35,120 The crystal gazer went on with troubled face. But danger 56 00:03:35,639 --> 00:03:39,280 in another way. The girl Jada, looked at him with 57 00:03:39,400 --> 00:03:43,400 quick startled eyes and asked some question in her native tongue. 58 00:03:43,879 --> 00:03:46,960 He answered in the same language, and she rose suddenly 59 00:03:47,000 --> 00:03:51,159 with terror stricken face, to fling herself at Verek's feet, weeping. 60 00:03:52,000 --> 00:03:55,000 Verec seemed to understand too, and looked at the seer 61 00:03:55,159 --> 00:04:00,319 in apprehension death. He exclaimed, what do you mean? And 62 00:04:00,479 --> 00:04:03,120 him was silent for a moment and bowed his head 63 00:04:03,159 --> 00:04:09,159 respectfully before the study, inquiring gaze of the white man. Pardon, Sahib, 64 00:04:09,479 --> 00:04:12,360 he said, at last, I did not remember that you 65 00:04:12,520 --> 00:04:17,680 understood my language. What is it? Insisted Verec abruptly tell 66 00:04:17,720 --> 00:04:22,519 me I cannot Sahib. You must, declared the other he 67 00:04:22,560 --> 00:04:27,240 had arisen commandingly, you must. The crystal Gazer crossed to 68 00:04:27,319 --> 00:04:29,600 him and stood for an instant with his hand on 69 00:04:29,680 --> 00:04:32,879 the white man's shoulder and his eyes studying the fear 70 00:04:32,959 --> 00:04:36,920 he found in the white man's face. The crystal Sahib, 71 00:04:37,120 --> 00:04:42,120 he began, It tells me that that no no brother, 72 00:04:42,279 --> 00:04:46,920 pleaded the girl. Go on. Verrec commanded, It grieves me 73 00:04:47,040 --> 00:04:49,720 to say that which will pain one whom I love 74 00:04:49,759 --> 00:04:53,920 as I do you, Sahib said the seer slowly. Perhaps 75 00:04:54,560 --> 00:04:58,600 you had rather see for yourself. Well, let me see, then, 76 00:04:58,800 --> 00:05:02,759 said Verec. Is is it in the crystal? Yes, by 77 00:05:02,759 --> 00:05:06,360 the grace of the gods. But I can't see anything there. 78 00:05:06,720 --> 00:05:11,480 Verreck remembered, I've tried scores of times. I believe this 79 00:05:11,519 --> 00:05:15,600 will be different, Sahib said, odd him quietly. Can you 80 00:05:15,759 --> 00:05:21,759 stand a shock? Verrec shook himself a little impatiently, of course, 81 00:05:22,000 --> 00:05:28,560 he replied, yes, yes, a very serious shock. Again, there 82 00:05:28,639 --> 00:05:32,800 was an impatient twist of Verk's shoulders. Yes, I can 83 00:05:32,879 --> 00:05:37,040 stand anything, he exclaimed shortly. What is it? Let me see. 84 00:05:37,600 --> 00:05:40,399 He strode toward that point, and the draperies whereat him 85 00:05:40,439 --> 00:05:43,600 had entered, while the girl, on her knees sought with 86 00:05:43,839 --> 00:05:48,279 entreating hands to stop him. No, no, no, she pleaded, No, 87 00:05:49,399 --> 00:05:53,360 don't do that. Verrek expostulated an annoyance, but gently he 88 00:05:53,480 --> 00:05:56,240 stooped and lifted her to her feet. I am not 89 00:05:56,319 --> 00:06:00,360 a child or a fool. He threw aside the curves 90 00:06:00,680 --> 00:06:03,399 as they fell softly behind him. He heard a pitiful 91 00:06:03,439 --> 00:06:06,519 little cry of grief from Jada and set his teeth 92 00:06:06,560 --> 00:06:11,079 together hard. He stood in the crystal cabinet. It was 93 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,519 somewhat larger than an ordinary closet, and had been made 94 00:06:14,519 --> 00:06:18,439 impenetrable to the light by hangings of black velvet. For 95 00:06:18,480 --> 00:06:21,000 a while, he stood still so that his eyes might 96 00:06:21,040 --> 00:06:25,360 become accustomed to the utter blackness, and gradually the sinister, 97 00:06:25,560 --> 00:06:31,360 fascinating crystal ball appeared faintly visible by its own mystic luminosity. 98 00:06:31,920 --> 00:06:36,519 It rested on a pedestal of black velvet. Verrec was 99 00:06:36,560 --> 00:06:39,800 accustomed to his surroundings. He had been in the cabinet 100 00:06:39,879 --> 00:06:43,160 many times. Now. He dropped down on a stool in 101 00:06:43,199 --> 00:06:46,279 front of the table whereon the crystal lay, and, leaning 102 00:06:46,319 --> 00:06:51,839 forward on his arms, stared into its limpid depths unblinkingly. 103 00:06:51,959 --> 00:06:55,480 For one, two three minutes, he sat there with his 104 00:06:55,639 --> 00:06:59,120 thoughts in a chaos. After a while, there came a 105 00:06:59,199 --> 00:07:01,759 change in the ball. It seemed to glow with a 106 00:07:01,839 --> 00:07:06,680 growing light other than its own. Suddenly it darkened completely, 107 00:07:07,160 --> 00:07:11,480 and out of this utter darkness grew shadowy, vague forms 108 00:07:11,519 --> 00:07:14,959 to which he could give no name. Finally, a veil 109 00:07:15,040 --> 00:07:18,360 seemed lifted, for the globe grew brighter, and he leaned 110 00:07:18,439 --> 00:07:24,319 forward eagerly fearfully. Another veil melted away, and a still 111 00:07:24,360 --> 00:07:28,920 brighter light illumined the ball. Now Verrec was able to 112 00:07:28,959 --> 00:07:32,480 make out objects. Here was a table littered with books 113 00:07:32,519 --> 00:07:37,279 and papers. There a chair yonder, a shadowy mantle, And 114 00:07:37,360 --> 00:07:41,319 gradually the light grew until his tensely fixed eyes pained him, 115 00:07:41,680 --> 00:07:46,240 but he stared steadily on. Another quick brightness came and 116 00:07:46,279 --> 00:07:50,399 the objects all became clear. He studied them incredulously for 117 00:07:50,439 --> 00:07:53,680 a few seconds, and then he recognized what he saw. 118 00:07:54,199 --> 00:07:58,600 It was a room, his study, miles away in his apartments. 119 00:07:59,240 --> 00:08:02,600 A sudden number chilliness seized him, but he closed his 120 00:08:02,680 --> 00:08:06,480 teeth hard and gazed on. The outlines of the crystal 121 00:08:06,519 --> 00:08:10,160 were disappearing. Now they were gone, and he saw no more. 122 00:08:10,959 --> 00:08:13,800 A door opened and a man entered the room into 123 00:08:13,800 --> 00:08:17,040 which he was looking. Verrec gave a little gasp as 124 00:08:17,040 --> 00:08:21,959 he recognized the man. It was himself. He watched the 125 00:08:22,040 --> 00:08:26,160 man himself as he moved about the study aimlessly for 126 00:08:26,240 --> 00:08:30,079 a time, as if deeply troubled. Then, as he dropped 127 00:08:30,120 --> 00:08:33,519 into a chair at the desk, Virec read clearly on 128 00:08:33,600 --> 00:08:37,279 the vision face those emotions which he was suffering in person. 129 00:08:37,840 --> 00:08:40,639 As he looked, the man made some hopeless gesture with 130 00:08:40,720 --> 00:08:44,519 his hands. His hands and leaned forward on the desk 131 00:08:44,639 --> 00:08:48,679 with his head on his arms. Verrec shuddered for a 132 00:08:48,759 --> 00:08:53,120 long time. It seemed the man sat motionless. Then Verrec 133 00:08:53,200 --> 00:08:56,720 became conscious of another figure, a man in the room. 134 00:08:57,639 --> 00:09:00,600 This figure had come into the vision from his own viewpoint. 135 00:09:01,120 --> 00:09:04,440 His face was averted. Verrec did not recognize the figure, 136 00:09:04,639 --> 00:09:08,000 but he saw something else and started in terror. A 137 00:09:08,080 --> 00:09:10,720 knife was in the hand of the unknown, and he 138 00:09:10,799 --> 00:09:14,879 was creeping stealthily toward the unconscious figure in the chair himself, 139 00:09:15,279 --> 00:09:19,759 with the weapon raised. An inarticulate cry burst from Verrec's 140 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:23,200 colorless lips, a cry of warning. As he saw the 141 00:09:23,320 --> 00:09:28,519 unknown creep on on on toward himself. He saw the 142 00:09:28,519 --> 00:09:31,840 figure that was himself move a little, and the unknown leaped. 143 00:09:32,440 --> 00:09:36,679 The upraised knife swept down and was buried to the handle. Again, 144 00:09:36,759 --> 00:09:41,519 a cry, an unintelligible shriek burst from Verrec's lips. His 145 00:09:41,639 --> 00:09:46,600 heart fluttered, and perspiration poured from his face. With incoherent mutterings, 146 00:09:46,639 --> 00:09:51,519 he sank forward helplessly. How long he remained there, he 147 00:09:51,559 --> 00:09:55,120 didn't know, But at last he compelled himself to look again. 148 00:09:55,960 --> 00:10:00,240 The crystal glittered coldly on its pedestal of velvet. That 149 00:10:00,360 --> 00:10:03,639 hideous thing which had been there was gone. The thought 150 00:10:03,720 --> 00:10:06,240 came to him to bring it back to see more, 151 00:10:06,879 --> 00:10:11,279 but repulsive fear terror seized upon him. He rose and 152 00:10:11,360 --> 00:10:14,879 staggered out of the cabinet. His face was pallid, and 153 00:10:14,960 --> 00:10:19,960 his hands clasped and unclasped nervously. Jada was lying on 154 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:23,480 a divan sobbing. She leaped to her feet when he entered, 155 00:10:23,720 --> 00:10:27,600 and looking into his face, she knew again. She buried 156 00:10:27,600 --> 00:10:31,000 her face in her hands and wept afresh. Had him 157 00:10:31,039 --> 00:10:34,240 stood with moody eyes fixed on the great God Bud 158 00:10:35,159 --> 00:10:39,720 I saw, I understand, said Verac between his teeth. But 159 00:10:41,080 --> 00:10:45,480 I don't believe it. The crystal never lies, Sahib, said 160 00:10:45,480 --> 00:10:52,360 the seer sorrowfully. But it can't be that, Viic declared protestingly. 161 00:10:53,120 --> 00:10:58,480 Be careful, Sahib, Oh, be careful, urged the girl. Of course, 162 00:10:58,519 --> 00:11:02,679 I shall be careful, said Viereck shortly. Suddenly he turned 163 00:11:02,720 --> 00:11:05,039 to the crystal gazer, and there was a menace in 164 00:11:05,080 --> 00:11:08,679 his tone. Did such a thing ever appear to you before? 165 00:11:09,759 --> 00:11:14,279 Only once? Sahib? And did it come true? At him? 166 00:11:14,320 --> 00:11:20,360 Inclined his head slowly. I may see you tomorrow, exclaimed Vereck. Suddenly, 167 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:25,279 this room is stifling. I must go out with twitching hands. 168 00:11:25,320 --> 00:11:27,799 He drew on a light coat over his evening dress, 169 00:11:28,159 --> 00:11:30,759 picked up his hat, and rushed out into the world 170 00:11:30,799 --> 00:11:34,480 of realities. The Crystal Gazer stood for a moment while 171 00:11:34,559 --> 00:11:38,960 Jada clung to his arm, tremblingly. It is as the 172 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:45,039 gods will, he said, sadly. At last, Professor Augustus s 173 00:11:45,159 --> 00:11:49,200 f X van Duson the Thinking Machine received Howard Verick 174 00:11:49,240 --> 00:11:52,519 in the small reception room and invited him to a seat. 175 00:11:53,200 --> 00:11:56,919 Verrek's face was ashen. There were dark lines under his eyes, 176 00:11:57,120 --> 00:12:00,279 and in them were the glitter of an ungovernable tear or. 177 00:12:00,960 --> 00:12:04,639 Every move showed the nervousness which gripped him. The Thinking 178 00:12:04,639 --> 00:12:08,519 Machine squinted at him curiously, then dropped back into his 179 00:12:08,639 --> 00:12:13,200 big chair. For several minutes, Verick said nothing. He seemed 180 00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:17,320 to be struggling to control himself. Suddenly, he burst out, 181 00:12:17,799 --> 00:12:20,519 I'm going to die some day next week. Is there 182 00:12:20,600 --> 00:12:23,759 any way to prevent it? The Thinking Machine turned his 183 00:12:23,919 --> 00:12:26,559 great yellow head and looked at him in a manner 184 00:12:26,559 --> 00:12:31,559 which nearly indicated surprise. Of course, if you've made your 185 00:12:31,600 --> 00:12:34,639 mind up to do it, he said, irritably. I don't 186 00:12:34,679 --> 00:12:37,200 see what can be done. There was a trace of 187 00:12:37,240 --> 00:12:40,960 irony in his voice, a coldness which brought Verreck around 188 00:12:41,000 --> 00:12:45,159 a little. Just how is it going to happen? I 189 00:12:45,200 --> 00:12:48,440 shall be murdered, stabbed in the back by a man 190 00:12:48,480 --> 00:12:52,559 whom I don't know, Verick rushed on, desperately. Dear me, 191 00:12:53,120 --> 00:12:58,799 dear me, how unfortunate, commented the scientist. Tell me something 192 00:12:58,840 --> 00:13:03,159 about it. But here he arose and went into his laboratory. 193 00:13:03,639 --> 00:13:06,600 After a moment, he returned and handed a glass of 194 00:13:06,600 --> 00:13:10,960 some effervescent liquid to Verick, who gulped it down. Take 195 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:15,519 a minute to pull yourself together, instructed the scientist. He 196 00:13:15,559 --> 00:13:18,960 resumed his seat and sat silent, with his long, slender 197 00:13:19,039 --> 00:13:24,120 fingers pressed tip to tip. Gradually Verick recovered it was 198 00:13:24,159 --> 00:13:28,679 a fierce fight for the mastery of emotion. Now directed 199 00:13:28,679 --> 00:13:33,039 the thinking machine at last, tell me about it. Verick 200 00:13:33,159 --> 00:13:36,720 told just what had happened, lucidly enough, and the thinking 201 00:13:36,759 --> 00:13:40,919 machine listened with polite interest. Once or twice he turned 202 00:13:41,120 --> 00:13:44,519 and looked at his visitor. Do you believe in any 203 00:13:44,559 --> 00:13:50,559 psychic force? Verick asked once. I don't disbelieve in anything 204 00:13:50,879 --> 00:13:54,679 until I have proven that it cannot be was the answer. 205 00:13:55,519 --> 00:13:58,679 The god who hung a sun up there has done 206 00:13:58,720 --> 00:14:02,480 other things which we will never understand. There was a 207 00:14:02,519 --> 00:14:06,200 little pause. Then, how did you meet this man, ad 208 00:14:06,320 --> 00:14:10,440 him Sing? I've been interested for years in the psychic, 209 00:14:10,639 --> 00:14:14,720 the occult, the things we don't understand, Verick replied, I 210 00:14:14,720 --> 00:14:19,480 have a comfortable fortune, no occupation, no dependence, and made 211 00:14:19,480 --> 00:14:23,360 this a sort of hobby. I've studied it superficially all 212 00:14:23,399 --> 00:14:26,559 over the world. I met Adaim Sing and India ten 213 00:14:26,639 --> 00:14:30,639 years ago. Afterwards in England where he went through Oxford 214 00:14:30,679 --> 00:14:34,759 with some financial assistance from me, and later here two 215 00:14:34,879 --> 00:14:37,440 years ago. He convinced me that there was something in 216 00:14:37,519 --> 00:14:43,840 crystal gazing. Call it telepathy, self hypnotism, subconscious mental action, 217 00:14:44,399 --> 00:14:47,399 what you will. Since then, the science, I can call 218 00:14:47,440 --> 00:14:50,799 it nothing else, has guided me in every important act 219 00:14:50,879 --> 00:14:57,039 of my life through at him Sing. Yes, and under 220 00:14:57,080 --> 00:15:01,200 a pledge of secrecy. I imagine that is secrecy as 221 00:15:01,240 --> 00:15:06,799 to the nature of his revelations. Yes, any taint of 222 00:15:06,840 --> 00:15:11,120 insanity in your family? Vic wondered whether the question was 223 00:15:11,159 --> 00:15:14,720 in the nature of insolent reproof or was a request 224 00:15:14,799 --> 00:15:20,000 for information. He construed it as the latter. No, he answered, 225 00:15:20,639 --> 00:15:24,559 never a touch of it. How often have you consulted 226 00:15:24,679 --> 00:15:28,919 mister Singh Many times? There have been occasions when he 227 00:15:28,919 --> 00:15:32,360 would tell me nothing, because he explained the crystal told 228 00:15:32,440 --> 00:15:35,600 him nothing. There have been other times when he advised 229 00:15:35,600 --> 00:15:39,320 me correctly. He has never given me bad advice, even 230 00:15:39,320 --> 00:15:43,240 in intricate stock operations. Therefore, I have been compelled to 231 00:15:43,320 --> 00:15:46,879 believe him in all things. You were never able to 232 00:15:46,919 --> 00:15:50,799 see anything yourself in the crystal until this vision of 233 00:15:50,919 --> 00:15:54,840 death last Tuesday night. You say that was the first. 234 00:15:55,600 --> 00:15:58,039 How do you know the murder is to take place 235 00:15:58,120 --> 00:16:02,080 at any given time? That is next week? As you say, 236 00:16:03,120 --> 00:16:05,759 that is the information at him sing gave to me. 237 00:16:06,159 --> 00:16:09,360 Was the reply, he can read the visions. They mean 238 00:16:09,440 --> 00:16:12,240 more to him than in other words, he makes it 239 00:16:12,399 --> 00:16:18,960 a profession. Interrupted the scientist. Yes, go on. The horror 240 00:16:18,960 --> 00:16:22,159 of the thing impressed me so both of us that 241 00:16:22,240 --> 00:16:25,480 he has, at my request twice invoked the vision since 242 00:16:25,519 --> 00:16:28,759 that night. He, like you, wanted to know when it 243 00:16:28,799 --> 00:16:32,519 would happen. There is a calendar by weeks in my study. 244 00:16:32,840 --> 00:16:35,240 That is, only one week is shown on it at 245 00:16:35,279 --> 00:16:39,120 a time. The last time the vision appeared, he noted 246 00:16:39,120 --> 00:16:43,120 this calendar. The week was that beginning next Sunday, the 247 00:16:43,200 --> 00:16:46,720 twenty first of this month. The only conclusion we could 248 00:16:46,720 --> 00:16:50,840 reach was it would happen during that week. The Thinking 249 00:16:50,919 --> 00:16:54,200 Machine arose and paced back and forth across the room, 250 00:16:54,600 --> 00:16:59,679 deeply thoughtful. At last he stopped before his visitor. It's 251 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:05,359 perfectly amazing, he commented emphatically. It approaches nearer to the 252 00:17:05,480 --> 00:17:10,599 unbelievable than anything I have ever heard of. Verick's response 253 00:17:10,720 --> 00:17:15,599 was a look that was almost grateful. You believe it impossible, then, 254 00:17:16,000 --> 00:17:22,960 he asked, eagerly. Nothing is impossible, declared the other aggressively. Now, 255 00:17:23,200 --> 00:17:27,039 mister Verick, you are firmly convinced that what you saw 256 00:17:27,240 --> 00:17:31,480 was prophetic, that you will die in that manner, in 257 00:17:31,519 --> 00:17:36,039 that place. I can't believe anything else. I can't, was 258 00:17:36,079 --> 00:17:41,079 the response. And you have no idea of the identity 259 00:17:41,240 --> 00:17:44,400 of the murderer to be, if I may use that phrase, 260 00:17:45,359 --> 00:17:48,880 not the slightest. The figure was wholly unfamiliar to me. 261 00:17:49,599 --> 00:17:53,000 And you know you know that the room you saw 262 00:17:53,000 --> 00:17:59,759 in the crystal was yours. I know that absolutely, rugs, furniture, mantle, books, 263 00:18:00,160 --> 00:18:04,000 everything was mine. The Thinking Machine was again silent for 264 00:18:04,079 --> 00:18:08,279 a time. In that event, he said, at last, the 265 00:18:08,359 --> 00:18:12,599 affair is perfectly simple. Will you place yourself in my 266 00:18:12,799 --> 00:18:18,359 hands and obey my directions implicitly? Yes, there was an eager, 267 00:18:18,680 --> 00:18:22,319 hopeful note in Verrek's voice. Now I am going to 268 00:18:22,440 --> 00:18:27,039 try to disarrange the affairs of fate a little bit, 269 00:18:27,519 --> 00:18:31,720 explained the scientist gravely. I don't know what will happen, 270 00:18:32,079 --> 00:18:34,400 but it will be interesting to try to throw the 271 00:18:34,440 --> 00:18:39,720 inevitable that preordained, I might say, out of gear, won't it. 272 00:18:40,519 --> 00:18:44,279 With a quizzical grim expression about his thin lips, the 273 00:18:44,319 --> 00:18:47,319 thinking machine went to the telephone in an adjoining room 274 00:18:47,640 --> 00:18:51,319 and called someone. Verik heard neither the name nor what 275 00:18:51,599 --> 00:18:55,200 was said, merely the mumble of the irritable voice. He 276 00:18:55,319 --> 00:18:59,559 glanced up as the scientist returned. Have you any servants 277 00:19:00,160 --> 00:19:04,720 valet for instance? Asked the scientist. Yes, I have an 278 00:19:04,759 --> 00:19:08,039 aged servant, a valet, but he is now in France. 279 00:19:08,480 --> 00:19:11,000 I gave him a little vacation. I really don't need 280 00:19:11,039 --> 00:19:14,400 one now, as I live in an apartment house almost 281 00:19:14,400 --> 00:19:18,720 a hotel. I don't suppose you happen to have three 282 00:19:18,839 --> 00:19:23,319 or four thousand dollars in your pocket. No, not so 283 00:19:23,440 --> 00:19:27,400 much as that was the puzzled reply. If it's your fee, 284 00:19:27,559 --> 00:19:32,440 I never accept fees, interrupted the scientist. I interest myself 285 00:19:32,440 --> 00:19:35,839 in affairs like these because I like them. They are 286 00:19:36,000 --> 00:19:41,519 good mental exercise. Please draw a check for say, four 287 00:19:41,599 --> 00:19:46,759 thousand dollars to Hutchinson Hatch. Who is he asked Verick. 288 00:19:47,240 --> 00:19:50,480 There was no reply. The check was drawn and handed 289 00:19:50,519 --> 00:19:54,720 over without further comment. It was fifteen or twenty minutes 290 00:19:54,799 --> 00:19:59,039 later that a cab pulled up in front of the house. Hutchinson, Hatch, reporter, 291 00:19:59,359 --> 00:20:02,519 and another man, whom he introduced as Philip Byrne, were 292 00:20:02,599 --> 00:20:06,240 ushered in. As Hatch shook hands with Verick, the thinking 293 00:20:06,279 --> 00:20:10,680 Machine compared them mentally. They were relatively of the same size, 294 00:20:11,039 --> 00:20:15,200 and he bobbed his head as if satisfied. Now, mister Hatch, 295 00:20:15,359 --> 00:20:19,319 he instructed, take this check and get it cashed immediately, 296 00:20:19,680 --> 00:20:24,319 then return here, not a word to anybody. Hatch went out, 297 00:20:24,359 --> 00:20:28,000 and Burne discussed politics with Verick until he returned with 298 00:20:28,079 --> 00:20:31,720 the money. The Thinking Machine thrust the bills into Burne's 299 00:20:31,720 --> 00:20:35,400 hand and he counted it, afterwards, stowing it away in 300 00:20:35,480 --> 00:20:40,599 a pocket. Now, mister Verick, the keys to your apartment, please, 301 00:20:41,160 --> 00:20:44,880 asked the scientist. They were handed over and he placed 302 00:20:44,920 --> 00:20:48,440 them in his pocket. Then He turned to Verick. From 303 00:20:48,480 --> 00:20:53,119 this time on, he said, your name is John Smith. 304 00:20:53,799 --> 00:20:58,200 You are going on a trip, beginning immediately with mister Byrne. Here. 305 00:20:58,720 --> 00:21:02,480 You are not to send a let, a postal, a telegram, 306 00:21:02,839 --> 00:21:07,079 or a package to anyone. You are to buy nothing. 307 00:21:07,559 --> 00:21:10,240 You are to write no checks. You are not to 308 00:21:10,319 --> 00:21:15,240 speak to or recognize anyone. You are not to telephone 309 00:21:15,680 --> 00:21:19,839 or attempt in any manner to communicate with anyone, not 310 00:21:20,000 --> 00:21:24,240 even me. You are to obey mister Burne in everything, 311 00:21:24,279 --> 00:21:28,279 he says. Verick's eyes had grown wider and wider as 312 00:21:28,319 --> 00:21:33,319 he listened. But my affairs, my business, he protested. It 313 00:21:33,440 --> 00:21:36,759 is a matter of your life or death, said the 314 00:21:36,839 --> 00:21:40,720 thinking machine. Shortly. For a moment, Verick wavered a little. 315 00:21:41,039 --> 00:21:43,480 He felt that he was being treated like a child. 316 00:21:44,519 --> 00:21:49,319 As you say, he said. Finally, now, mister Burne continued 317 00:21:49,359 --> 00:21:53,880 the scientist. You heard those instructions. It is your duty 318 00:21:54,160 --> 00:21:58,240 to enforce them. You must lose this man and yourself, 319 00:21:58,799 --> 00:22:02,200 take him away somewhere, to another place. There is enough 320 00:22:02,279 --> 00:22:05,920 money there for ordinary purposes. When you learn that there 321 00:22:05,920 --> 00:22:08,839 has been an arrest in connection with a certain threat 322 00:22:08,880 --> 00:22:12,799 against mister Verick, come back to Boston to me and 323 00:22:12,920 --> 00:22:17,680 bring him. That's all. Mister Burne arose with a business 324 00:22:17,839 --> 00:22:22,000 like air. Come on, mister Smith, he commanded. Verick followed 325 00:22:22,039 --> 00:22:25,400 him out of the room. Here was a table littered 326 00:22:25,440 --> 00:22:30,279 with books and papers. There a chair yonder, a shadowy mantle. 327 00:22:30,839 --> 00:22:33,920 A door opened, and a man entered the room. Moved 328 00:22:33,960 --> 00:22:37,519 about the study aimlessly for a time, as if deeply troubled, 329 00:22:38,039 --> 00:22:40,799 then dropped into a chair at the desk, made some 330 00:22:41,039 --> 00:22:44,519 hopeless gesture with his hands, and leaned forward on the 331 00:22:44,559 --> 00:22:47,920 desk with his head on his arms. Another figure in 332 00:22:47,920 --> 00:22:51,480 the room, knife in his hand, creeping stealthily toward the 333 00:22:51,559 --> 00:22:55,039 unconscious figure in the chair. With the knife raised, the 334 00:22:55,160 --> 00:23:00,400 unknown crept on on on. There was a blinding flash, 335 00:23:00,759 --> 00:23:04,119 a gush of flame and smoke, a sharp click, and 336 00:23:04,200 --> 00:23:08,680 through the fog came the unexcited voice of Hutchinson, Hatch, reporter, 337 00:23:09,599 --> 00:23:12,759 stay right where you are, please. That ought to be 338 00:23:12,839 --> 00:23:16,640 a good picture, said the Thinking Machine. The smoke cleared, 339 00:23:16,839 --> 00:23:20,720 and he saw at him, sing, standing watching with deep concern, 340 00:23:21,039 --> 00:23:24,000 a revolver in the hand of Hatch, who had suddenly 341 00:23:24,079 --> 00:23:27,400 arisen from the desk in Verick's room. The Thinking Machine 342 00:23:27,480 --> 00:23:30,960 rubbed his hands briskly. Nah, I thought it was you, 343 00:23:31,279 --> 00:23:34,759 he said to the Crystal Gazer. Put down the knife, please, 344 00:23:35,279 --> 00:23:38,559 that's right. It seems a little bold to have interfered 345 00:23:38,599 --> 00:23:41,480 with what was to be like this, But you wanted 346 00:23:41,519 --> 00:23:44,920 too much detail, mister Singh, you might have murdered your 347 00:23:44,920 --> 00:23:48,640 friend if you hadn't gone into so much trivial theatrics. 348 00:23:49,640 --> 00:23:53,000 I suppose I am a prisoner, asked the Crystal Gazer. 349 00:23:53,359 --> 00:23:57,160 You are, the thinking Machine assured him cheerfully. You are 350 00:23:57,319 --> 00:24:01,319 charged with the attempted murder of mister Veracsick. Your wife 351 00:24:01,400 --> 00:24:04,440 will be a prisoner in another half hour, with all 352 00:24:04,519 --> 00:24:07,839 those who are with you in the conspiracy. He turned 353 00:24:07,839 --> 00:24:11,400 to Hatch, who was smiling broadly. The reporter was thinking 354 00:24:11,440 --> 00:24:15,000 of that wonderful flashlight photograph in the camera that the 355 00:24:15,039 --> 00:24:18,759 Thinking Machine held, the only photograph in the world so 356 00:24:18,880 --> 00:24:21,119 far as he knew, of a man in the act 357 00:24:21,160 --> 00:24:26,359 of attempting an assassination. Now, mister Hatch, the scientist went on, 358 00:24:26,839 --> 00:24:29,799 I will phone to Detective Mallory to come here and 359 00:24:29,880 --> 00:24:33,160 get this gentleman, and also to send men and arrest 360 00:24:33,240 --> 00:24:36,359 every person to be found in mister Singh's home. If 361 00:24:36,359 --> 00:24:40,839 this man tries to run shoot. The scientist went out, 362 00:24:41,039 --> 00:24:44,519 and Hatch devoted his attention to a sullen prisoner. He 363 00:24:44,640 --> 00:24:48,160 asked half a dozen questions. In receiving no answers, he 364 00:24:48,200 --> 00:24:52,240 gave it up as hopeless. After a while, Detective Mallory 365 00:24:52,319 --> 00:24:56,200 appeared in his usual state of restrained astonishment, and the 366 00:24:56,240 --> 00:24:59,279 Crystal Gazer was led away. Then Hatch and the Thinking 367 00:24:59,400 --> 00:25:02,680 Machine went to the Adam Singh house. The police had 368 00:25:02,680 --> 00:25:06,119 preceded them and gone away with four prisoners, among them 369 00:25:06,160 --> 00:25:09,680 the girl Jada. They obtained an entrance through the courtesy 370 00:25:09,720 --> 00:25:12,480 of a policeman left in charge, and sought out the 371 00:25:12,519 --> 00:25:16,799 crystal cabinet. Together they bowed over the glittering globe as 372 00:25:16,880 --> 00:25:19,799 Hatch held a match. But I still don't see how 373 00:25:19,839 --> 00:25:22,319 it was done, said the reporter. After they had looked 374 00:25:22,359 --> 00:25:25,759 at the crystal, the Thinking Machine lifted the ball and 375 00:25:25,880 --> 00:25:29,680 replaced it on its pedestal half a dozen times, apparently 376 00:25:29,720 --> 00:25:33,359 trying to locate a slight click. Then he fumbled all 377 00:25:33,400 --> 00:25:38,000 around the table above and below. At his suggestion, Hatch 378 00:25:38,039 --> 00:25:41,759 lifted the ball very slowly, while the scientist slid his 379 00:25:41,880 --> 00:25:47,079 slender fingers beneath it. Ah he exclaimed at last I thought, so, 380 00:25:47,559 --> 00:25:51,680 it's clever, mister Hatch. Clever, just stand here a few 381 00:25:51,720 --> 00:25:53,799 minutes in the dark, and I'll see if I can 382 00:25:53,920 --> 00:25:58,039 operate it for you. He disappeared, and Hatch stood staring 383 00:25:58,079 --> 00:26:01,200 at the crystal until he was developeding a severe case 384 00:26:01,240 --> 00:26:05,039 of the creeps himself. Just then a light flashed in 385 00:26:05,119 --> 00:26:08,559 the crystal, which had been only dimly visible, and he 386 00:26:08,640 --> 00:26:13,200 found himself looking into the room and Howard Verick's apartments 387 00:26:13,640 --> 00:26:17,799 miles away. As he looked, startled, he saw the Thinking 388 00:26:17,839 --> 00:26:21,319 Machine appear in the crystal and wave his arms. The 389 00:26:21,400 --> 00:26:25,160 creepiness passed instantly in the face of this obvious attempt 390 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:28,880 to attract his attention. It was later that afternoon that 391 00:26:28,960 --> 00:26:32,200 the Thinking Machine turned the light of his analytical genius 392 00:26:32,240 --> 00:26:36,079 on the problem for the benefit of Hatch and Detective Mallory. 393 00:26:37,079 --> 00:26:40,559 Charlatanism is a luxury which cost the peoples of the 394 00:26:40,559 --> 00:26:45,759 world incredible sums. He began. It had its beginnings, of course, 395 00:26:45,880 --> 00:26:49,039 in the dark ages, when a man's mind grasped at 396 00:26:49,079 --> 00:26:53,880 some tangible evidence of an infinite power, and through its 397 00:26:54,039 --> 00:26:59,599 very eagerness, was easily satisfied. Then quacks began to prey 398 00:26:59,680 --> 00:27:03,160 upon man and due to this day, under many guises 399 00:27:03,519 --> 00:27:08,319 and under many names. This condition will continue until enlightenment 400 00:27:08,440 --> 00:27:11,880 has become so general that the man will realize the 401 00:27:11,960 --> 00:27:15,279 absurdity of such a thing as nature or the other 402 00:27:15,400 --> 00:27:18,559 world's forces going out of its way to tell him 403 00:27:18,599 --> 00:27:22,559 whether a certain stock will go up or down. A 404 00:27:22,640 --> 00:27:26,640 sense of humor ought to convince him that disembodied spirits 405 00:27:26,680 --> 00:27:29,799 do not come back and rap on tables in answer 406 00:27:29,839 --> 00:27:34,880 to asinine questions. These things are merely prostitutions of the 407 00:27:34,920 --> 00:27:39,880 divine revelations. Hatch smiled a little at the lecture platform tone, 408 00:27:40,279 --> 00:27:44,400 and Detective Mallory chewed his cigar uncomfortably. He was there 409 00:27:44,440 --> 00:27:47,559 to find out something about crime. This thing was over 410 00:27:47,599 --> 00:27:51,759 his head. This is merely preliminary, The thinking machine went 411 00:27:51,799 --> 00:27:56,160 on after a moment. Now, as to this crystal gazing affair, 412 00:27:56,559 --> 00:28:01,079 a little reason, a little logic. When mister Verick came 413 00:28:01,119 --> 00:28:03,720 to me, I saw he was an intelligent man who 414 00:28:03,799 --> 00:28:07,640 had devoted years to a study of the so called occult. 415 00:28:08,440 --> 00:28:12,559 Being intelligent, he was not easily hoodwinked. Yet he had 416 00:28:12,559 --> 00:28:16,839 been hoodwinked for years. Therefore, I could see that the 417 00:28:16,880 --> 00:28:20,319 man who did it must be far beyond the blundering 418 00:28:20,480 --> 00:28:25,960 fool usually found in these affairs. Now, mister Verick personally 419 00:28:26,200 --> 00:28:30,599 had never seen anything in any crystal. Remember that until 420 00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:34,200 the vision of death. When I knew this, I knew 421 00:28:34,240 --> 00:28:38,279 that vision was stamped as quackery. The mere fact of 422 00:28:38,400 --> 00:28:41,680 him seeing it proved that. But the quackery was so 423 00:28:41,920 --> 00:28:48,039 circumstantial that he was convinced. Thus we have quackery. Why 424 00:28:49,039 --> 00:28:53,000 for a fee? I can imagine successful guesses on the 425 00:28:53,039 --> 00:28:56,960 stock market bringing fees to Adahim Sing, But the vision 426 00:28:57,319 --> 00:28:59,759 of a man's death is not the way to his 427 00:29:00,160 --> 00:29:06,240 pocket book. If not for a fee, then what a 428 00:29:06,319 --> 00:29:11,440 deeper motive was instantly apparent. Mister Verick was wealthy, He 429 00:29:11,519 --> 00:29:14,759 had known Sing and had been friendly with him for years, 430 00:29:15,200 --> 00:29:18,400 had supplied him with funds to go through Oxford, and 431 00:29:18,480 --> 00:29:23,680 he had no family or dependence. Therefore, it seemed probable 432 00:29:24,000 --> 00:29:27,920 that a will, or perhaps in another way, Sing would 433 00:29:27,960 --> 00:29:31,839 benefit by mister Verick's death. There was a motive for 434 00:29:31,880 --> 00:29:34,720 the vision, which might have been at first an effort 435 00:29:34,759 --> 00:29:37,839 to scare him to death because he had a bad heart. 436 00:29:38,480 --> 00:29:41,200 I saw all these things when mister Verick talked to 437 00:29:41,279 --> 00:29:44,839 me first, several days after he saw the vision, but 438 00:29:44,920 --> 00:29:47,799 did not suggest them to him. Had I done so, 439 00:29:48,119 --> 00:29:51,000 he would not have believed so sordid a thing, for 440 00:29:51,119 --> 00:29:54,279 he believed in Singh, and would probably have gone his 441 00:29:54,359 --> 00:29:57,200 way to be murdered or to die of fright, as 442 00:29:57,200 --> 00:30:01,359 sing intended. Knowing these things, there was only the labor 443 00:30:01,440 --> 00:30:05,480 of trapping a clever man. Now, the Hindu mine works 444 00:30:05,519 --> 00:30:10,559 in strange channels. It loves the mystic that theatric and 445 00:30:10,680 --> 00:30:14,200 I imagined that, having gone so far seeing, would attempt 446 00:30:14,279 --> 00:30:18,240 to bring the vision to a reality. He presumed, of course, 447 00:30:18,519 --> 00:30:22,200 that mister Verick would keep the matter to himself. The 448 00:30:22,319 --> 00:30:26,079 question of saving Verick's life was trifling. If he was 449 00:30:26,160 --> 00:30:29,039 to die at a given time in a given room, 450 00:30:29,480 --> 00:30:32,160 the thing to do was to place him beyond possible 451 00:30:32,240 --> 00:30:35,720 reach of that room. At that time I phoned to you, 452 00:30:35,839 --> 00:30:38,480 mister Hatch, and asked you to bring me a private 453 00:30:38,519 --> 00:30:42,000 detective who would obey orders. And you brought mister Byrne. 454 00:30:42,680 --> 00:30:46,000 You heard my instructions to him. It was necessary to 455 00:30:46,079 --> 00:30:50,279 hide mister Vereck's identity, and my elaborate directions were to 456 00:30:50,319 --> 00:30:54,079 prevent anyone getting the slightest clue as to him having 457 00:30:54,200 --> 00:30:57,759 gone or as to where he was, I don't know 458 00:30:57,799 --> 00:31:02,240 where he is now. Immediately mister Verick was off my hands. 459 00:31:02,759 --> 00:31:06,039 I had Martha, my housekeeper, write a note to Sing 460 00:31:06,160 --> 00:31:09,279 explaining that mister Verick was ill and confined to his 461 00:31:09,400 --> 00:31:12,799 room and for the present was unable to see anyone. 462 00:31:13,359 --> 00:31:16,119 In this note a date was specified when he would 463 00:31:16,200 --> 00:31:19,519 call on Sing. Martha wrote, of course, as a trained 464 00:31:19,640 --> 00:31:23,119 nurse who was in attendance merely in daytime. All these 465 00:31:23,240 --> 00:31:27,960 points were made perfectly clear to Sing that done, it 466 00:31:28,039 --> 00:31:31,319 was only a matter of patience. Mister Hatch and I 467 00:31:31,400 --> 00:31:35,240 went to mister Verick's apartments each night. I had Martha 468 00:31:35,319 --> 00:31:39,680 there in daytime to answer questions, and waited in hiding. 469 00:31:40,640 --> 00:31:44,079 Mister Hatch is about Verick's size, and a whig helped 470 00:31:44,160 --> 00:31:48,359 us along. What happened then? You know, I may add 471 00:31:48,400 --> 00:31:52,000 that when mister Verick told me the story, I commented 472 00:31:52,039 --> 00:31:56,680 on it as being almost unbelievable. He understood as I meant, 473 00:31:56,680 --> 00:31:59,880 he should that I referred to the vision. I really 474 00:32:00,119 --> 00:32:04,640 meant that the elaborate scheme which Singh had evolved was unbelievable. 475 00:32:05,079 --> 00:32:07,279 He might have killed him just as well with a 476 00:32:07,359 --> 00:32:12,559 drop of poison or something equally pleasant. The thinking machine 477 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:16,599 stopped as if that were all, But the crystal asked, Tatch, 478 00:32:17,119 --> 00:32:19,599 how did that work? How is it? I saw you? 479 00:32:20,559 --> 00:32:24,240 That was a little ingenious, and rather expensive, said the 480 00:32:24,279 --> 00:32:28,440 thinking machine, so expensive that sing must have expected to 481 00:32:28,480 --> 00:32:32,519 get a large sum from success. I can best describe 482 00:32:32,559 --> 00:32:36,079 the manufacture of the vision as a variation of the 483 00:32:36,119 --> 00:32:40,799 principle of the camera obscura. It was done with lenses 484 00:32:40,880 --> 00:32:45,240 of various sorts and a multitude of mirrors, and required 485 00:32:45,279 --> 00:32:48,440 the assistance of two other men, those who were taken 486 00:32:48,480 --> 00:32:52,680 from Singh's house with Jada First. The room in mister 487 00:32:52,799 --> 00:32:56,759 Verick's apartments was duplicated in the basement of Singh's house, 488 00:32:57,359 --> 00:33:02,559 even to rugs, books, and wall decorations. There two men 489 00:33:02,599 --> 00:33:06,680 rehearsed the murder scene that mister Verick saw. They were disguised. 490 00:33:06,720 --> 00:33:09,960 Of course, you have looked through the wrong end of 491 00:33:10,000 --> 00:33:14,359 a telescope. Of course. Well, the original reduction of the 492 00:33:14,440 --> 00:33:16,759 murder scene to a size where all of it would 493 00:33:16,799 --> 00:33:20,680 appear in a small mirror was accomplished that way. From 494 00:33:20,720 --> 00:33:23,880 this small mirror there ran pipes with a series of 495 00:33:23,920 --> 00:33:28,240 mirrors and lenses through the house, carrying the reflection of 496 00:33:28,279 --> 00:33:32,240 what was happening below so vaguely though the features were 497 00:33:32,279 --> 00:33:36,319 barely distinguishable. This pipe ran up inside one of the 498 00:33:36,400 --> 00:33:39,519 legs of the table on which the crystal rested, and 499 00:33:39,559 --> 00:33:44,839 then by reflection to the pedestal. You, mister Hatch, saw 500 00:33:44,880 --> 00:33:48,279 me lift that crystal several times, and each time you 501 00:33:48,359 --> 00:33:52,319 might have noticed the click. I was trying to find then, 502 00:33:52,440 --> 00:33:56,200 how the reflection reached it. When you lifted it slowly 503 00:33:56,359 --> 00:33:59,519 and I put my fingers under it, I knew there 504 00:33:59,599 --> 00:34:03,440 was a small trap in the pedestal covered with velvet. 505 00:34:04,039 --> 00:34:08,159 This closed automatically and presented a solid surface when the 506 00:34:08,239 --> 00:34:12,360 crystal was lifted, and opened when the crystal was replaced. 507 00:34:13,079 --> 00:34:17,119 Thus the reflection reached the crystal, which reversed it the 508 00:34:17,239 --> 00:34:20,400 last time and made it appear right side up to 509 00:34:20,519 --> 00:34:23,679 the watcher. The apparent growth of the light in the 510 00:34:23,719 --> 00:34:29,480 crystal was caused Below. Someone simply removed several sheets of gauze, 511 00:34:29,920 --> 00:34:34,239 one at a time from in front of the first lens. Well, 512 00:34:34,599 --> 00:34:39,000 exclaimed Detective Mallory. That's the most elaborate affair I ever 513 00:34:39,039 --> 00:34:43,639 heard of. Quite right, commented the scientist. But we don't 514 00:34:43,679 --> 00:34:47,599 know how many victims sing had. Of course, any vision 515 00:34:47,800 --> 00:34:50,480 was possible with the change of scene in the basement. 516 00:34:51,159 --> 00:34:55,000 I imagine it was a profitable investment, because there are many 517 00:34:55,039 --> 00:34:58,320 fools in this world. What did the girl have to 518 00:34:58,400 --> 00:35:02,480 do with it, asked Tatch. That I don't know, replied 519 00:35:02,519 --> 00:35:06,679 the scientist. She was pretty. Perhaps she was used as 520 00:35:06,679 --> 00:35:10,199 a sort of bait to attract a certain class of men. 521 00:35:10,800 --> 00:35:14,360 She was really Singh's wife, I imagine, not his sister. 522 00:35:14,960 --> 00:35:17,840 She was a prominent figure in the mummery with Verrick. 523 00:35:17,920 --> 00:35:21,119 Of course, with her aid, sing was able to lend 524 00:35:21,239 --> 00:35:25,960 great effectiveness to the general scheme. A couple of days later, 525 00:35:26,039 --> 00:35:29,440 Howard Verick returned to the city in tow of Philip Byrne. 526 00:35:30,079 --> 00:35:34,320 The Thinking Machine asked mister Verick only one question of consequence, 527 00:35:35,119 --> 00:35:39,239 how much money did you intend to leave Singh? About 528 00:35:39,280 --> 00:35:43,039 two hundred and fifty thousand dollars was the reply. It 529 00:35:43,159 --> 00:35:46,159 was to be used, under his direction in furthering an 530 00:35:46,199 --> 00:35:49,960 investigation into the psychic He and I had planned just 531 00:35:50,079 --> 00:35:53,599 how it was to be spent. Personally, mister Verick is 532 00:35:53,639 --> 00:35:58,840 no longer interested in the occult and of the problem 533 00:35:58,960 --> 00:36:01,639 of the Crystal Gazer by Jacques Foutrelle