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