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Show Written by Here ward Carrington, 77ie Distinguished Authority on Psychic Phenomena. Phe-nomena. Dramatized by Charles W. Goddard, The Well Known Author of "The Perils of Pauline;" "The Exploits of Elaine;" "The Goddess;" God-dess;" "The Misleading Lady;" "The Ghost Breaker;" "The Man From the Sea." Everything You Read Here Today Yob Can See This Week at the Leading Motion Picture Theatres in Vivid Motion Pictures Produced by the Famous Wharton Studio for This Newspaper. With Mr. HOWARD ESTABROOK as Dr. Alden, Miss JEAN SOTHERN as the Charming Myra Maynard. Next Sunday Another Chapter of "The Mysteries of Myra" and New Pictures. 1 Copyright Star Company, 1916. All foreign rights reserved. SYNOPSIS OF PREVIOUS CHAPTERS. Myrn Maynard, n beautiful helrcs, in persuod by n hand of crlmlnnls. known ns the Black Order under the direction of a Htrane niytio, wlione object in to kill the girl by occult im-nun. in order that the Iiaey of her father, n secret member of the Devil Wor-MlitunerN Wor-MlitunerN may fall to the evil order. Arthur Vnrney, u wealthy club man, in the favored suitor of the fflrlj i" reality he 1 the tool of the High blaster of the Itlack Order and ecretly nfslt in the evil plot. Ur. l'nyon Allien, a brilliant youns ph y.sieiau, hnn given up hi practice lo devote litn time to ntudleft In the occult, in spiritualism, hypnotism, and the mysterlcM of the uniieen. lie dim-overs the conxpirucy against Myra Maynard and in-lerriipln in-lerriipln with hi own kuuwlrtiec of mental science, in time to s:ive the girl from Huiclde while In' a noiiambuMNtle trance. Thwarted, the Devil AVorw hip pern attempt to murder the clrl by mean of a wtrune plant from the Orient, In the blOKMom of which they have i Hccrcted n deadly powder. Mvva. at the request of Dr. Allien, allows him to keep the nlnnt In his room during the nlht, and the art of crystal-gazing which he has taught her warns her of the ph vleinnn death-HtrusKlcH In itt fumes, in time for her to nmvc hlni. The Devil WorHhlppVrs embark on a new and more Minister campaign, with the un- UMpectcd Vnrney us the go-betwecn. EPISODE THREE CHAPT1SR XIII. A Black Order Initiation. THE forbodings of Payson Alden, psychic detective, wore only too well founded! All wan silent within the dismal shades of the secret grotto of the Black Order, save for the incoherent incantations of a lone worshipper before the centre altar. This man, garbed in the black fiown of the ritual gwayed to and fro, as he eat cross-kneed cross-kneed near the flickering tapers of a grotesque gro-tesque candelabra placed upon the floor before be-fore the fane. On his Uneea was a tattered book. Its pages of ancient parchment, scrawled finely with cabalistic words of some Oriental language. For an hour these solitary studies continued. con-tinued. At last he seemed satisfied with the results He arose and folded the book. Just then came three knocks from the direction of the iron-barred lodge portal behind be-hind him. , Two answering knocks he gave, and then cautiously opened a tiny slit in the door. A murmur of subdued pass-words ensued. A grimy hand appeared, proffering a large white envelope. Inside the white envelope, which he fever-ishlv fever-ishlv tore open, was a black one addressed simply in white ink: TIIK MASTER." He hurried toward the velvet-draped doorway door-way of the inner shrine to grope for an Instant In the darkness within. "Why are my meditations - disturbed? rasped" the voice'of the evil pontiff. " -V black message. Master," and the envelope en-velope was handed to him, not without a trembling of the speaker's fingers. The leader of the black cult leered men-Bcingiy men-Bcingiy and opened the missive. Its message was written in white upon black paper: "Your plan did not work and he is beginning be-ginning to suspect the order Faithfuuy, The Master's quizzical face twisted into a momentary spasm of fury, and the seared lines about the vulture mouth deepened in , the baleful crimson light. The he laughed scornfully, crushing the message in his bony fingers as he dropped It into a pit-like opening by his side, from which dull red flames were rising. "Go! Prepare for the work which Is to CThe man prostrated himself, as the Hfrht dimmed, and retreated gropingly through the hangings into the outer chamber. There was a warning series of knocks upon the outer door. He hurried to answer it, and after the usual interchange of signals, he swung it back upon the creaking hinges. Eleven black-robed figures entered leading lead-ing a man, barefooted and naked to the waist except for a black hood which completely com-pletely covered his head. His feet were bleeding, his chest cut and bruised, and his heavy breathing, at times almost groans, indicated that he had been through some fearful physical ordeal But there seemed no hesitation through fear or anguish as he steadfastly followed the leader of the ceremonies to kneel before the altar. , As he waited there, in a posture of adoration adora-tion directed bv the leader of the ceremonies, the others knelt before the revolving disc, upon which were limned the cabalistic signs of the order. . ... Three resonant chashes came irom mo brazen gong within the Master's sanctum "ltise and follow; fear nothing!" muttered thThe'lcandidate staggered stffly to his feet and advanced calmly, directed by the tug upon a rope about his waist. Through the curtains he passed to the brooding silence of the unholy of holies! Slowlv at first the spectral head of the Kvil One appeared above the altar, as a hand from the darkness suddenly snatched the black cap from the newcomer's head. Kneeling there ho was a curious figure in thee more than curious surroundings, hven In the dull blue light from the satanlc Image he was evidently darker in complexion than the others, some of whom had removed their bind; masks in the rear of the room. He was a Hindoo, as the clear Profile, straight nose and delicate lips proved. His round cheekbones, the large, lustrous eyes were strangely out of harmony with the predominant pre-dominant evil of the Black Order for here was a face In which goodness, benign! tj , courage shone forth unmistakaoly. A now vision attracted his attention from the diabolic face. It was that of the Master, in the svmbolic posture, over the red brazier becoming visible as the bloody hue permeated the chamber. , , , The tones of the Master were sepulchral aS'To vnf swear to give your body and soul to me and to those above me." and his voice tank to a whisper, "in this lite and the others to come?" , , 'The Hindoo nodded calmly and murmured, "Yes I swear it." The bonv left hand of the Master rose high In the air to make the sign known as the "devil's benediction." The Hindoo bowed his head and then gaze1 upward, fascinated by the curious way in which the hand was silhouetted against a d-ic of reddish luminosity above the pontills head Its lines seemed at first to blur then strange enough took on the outline of the horned head of the evil one hand upon the Hindoo's bare shoulder drew him to his feet, and he weakly followed through the dark portal into the larger room. Again he knelt before the aHar. drinking drink-ing some hideous liquid from a human skull, proffered bv the master of the ceremonies. Hoods now removed, the other twelve members each in turn gave him the secret handclasp of the order. As he wns led through the barred portal the others were chanting: "Death and torture In this life to him wbo fnils! Denth nntl torture in the lives to eome, more fenrful than the noul enn know, more dreadful than the soul enn endure !" (IIAI'TKU XIV. Thr Ant ml Hody. Afternoon tea time again found Arthur Varnev calling upon Myra Maynard. M vrii's mother art less ly prattled of the do.-tor t, narrow escape from choking, the "Probably the doctor is in poor health," put in Varney. "He is spending too much time on this ridiculous occult stuff, which is all imagination. The man is apt to lose his mind if he hasn't already done so." But the arrival of the physician put an end to Varney's further animadversions. Myra, however, was piqued. "Dr. Alden, my friend Arthur will not believe be-lieve what I tell him about the visions I have seen. He says that the occult is all nonsense, and that 1 am just letting my imagination play silly tricks with me. Perhaps Per-haps you can convince him how deadly-serious deadly-serious it all is!" Alden smiled cynically: there was no affection affec-tion wasted between the two men. The physician phy-sician was vainly endeavoring to analyize the other's motives, and an instinctive distrust dis-trust drew a barrier between them. "Well, I have no ulterior motive in convincing con-vincing Mr. Varney. There are none so blind as those who do not wish to use their sight; I am not an occultist, merely a physician phy-sician interested in natural phenomena. Even what most people regard as the supernatural I have alreadv learned to be as natural, as material, indeed, as the working of the telegraph, tele-graph, the telephone, the growth of the flowers, flow-ers, the painting of the sun's rays upon the photographic plate. "Science has demonstrated many things which in former times were rediculed. We have proved in hospitals and medical schools tlrat people may be hypnotized that there Is an extra, or subconscious, mind which is busy during the hypnotic sleep. Instructions given during a trance to be followed out after waking are obeyed to the letter. That same subconscious mind is the one which enables many people to awaken without an alarm clock at some definite time desired. The subconscious mind never sleeps. The outside, or objective mind forgets, but the inner one never!" "All bosh !" jeered Varney. "I only believe be-lieve what I can see!" "Did you ever see the current in an electric wire?" Alden leaned forward excitedly. ' "I have myself been in an ordinary room, and have seen a real hand and arm materialized material-ized out of the thin air! I have seen objects carried across the room with no visible means of lifting. I have seen tables 'walk' across floors and tilt themselves on edge, when the psychic or medium was not touching touch-ing them! All this, mind you. happened in clear light, with many witnesses present. And just as that Inner mind knows, remembers, remem-bers, plans and creates things which the simpler, matter-of-fact bread and butter mind cannot do, so that same mind can project pro-ject itself in the astral." Mrs. Maynard's face began to twitch nervously. ner-vously. She interposed almost irritably: "Dr. Alden, I cannot listen to this ridiculous ridicu-lous nonsense any longer. You are poisoning Myra's mind." "The bread and butter mind appeals more to me," added Varney. "Which reminds me that I would appreciate some more marmalade marma-lade on my tea biscuit." "All right, you will see," stoutly declared Payson Alden. "The mysterious forces of the mind are beyond our understanding, but I know what I have seen. I have received messages " , , He was interrupted by the telephone bell. Varney. sitting nearest the library table, picked up the receiver to reply. "Hello yes ! Just a minute!" and he squinted at Dr. Alden with a vague suggestion sug-gestion of perplexity which the physician could not divine. "Here, it is some one to talk to you. One of your messages from the ghosts. Doctor." Alden walked to the instrument to reply. "Hello, is that you, Dr. Alden? Give the word." But the physician smiled and answered quietly: "Psycho." Varney cast a suspicious glance at the doctor's doc-tor's calm face, a hundred conjectures flashing flash-ing through his mind. The voice continued. "I have succeeded. I have been initiated, and now I know their pass-words, signs and other secrets. A smile came into the doctor's eyes. "Very good. Fine !" he replied, hanging up the receiver without the formality of a farewell. Varney cudgelled his brain to identify that familiar voice. Impulsively he blurted out: "Who was that. Doctor Alden?" ".Tust a friend," was the cool response. But a freezing suspicion was gradually asserting as-serting itself behind the other man's mask of snngfroid. booking at his watch, he made an excuse to leave the house for an important import-ant appointment. Alden breathed a sigh of relief when ho had left. "I'd like to make a littlo examination there." he explained, "while you are getting rested up a bit. It will not take long." Myra and her mother ascended to the upper floor, where the girl was given a nervous lecture bv her mother, and urged to foreswear all future dabbling with the unknown dangers. dan-gers. Alden. provided with a lighted candle by the maid, lost no time in descending to the deserted chamber. He made a careful examination of the ancient an-cient black altar, running his fingers ovr its dull panels. Suddenly his search was rewarded; the wood slid back, exposing a small compartment, into which the physician physi-cian peered e;irerly. As he pressed it. a small drawer flew open ; Alden drew from it a roll of parchment, and was astouneded to see the naine of Myra's father. It was the diploma of membership in the Black Order! Pavson Alden sprang to his feet. Tn his excitement he overturned the candle stick. The chamber was inky dark as lie endeavored en-deavored to find the light once more. At this juncture the butler, on the floor above, peered into the ill-fated doorw.'y of the secret stairs wirh apprehension. He he;ird no sound, and perceiving all dark, assumed that the doctor had left the place. With a sigh of relief he shut the panel, automatically locking It from the outside. ITn witting of his imprisonment, the physician phy-sician relit the candle. As he looked at the stone floor of the room he w.ih startled to pee the imprint of a naked human foot in th ft dust. He was cert ain that v"" not But there was apparently no one near, or with in t lie room. He now observed other footprints. As he stepped forward to examine ex-amine them closely, the light of the candle was sn u ffed out! There wns no draught in the room; he knew that. Suddenly, without warning, a clammy hand gripped at his throat. Then a phosphorescent glow began to form by his side, as the hold relaxed. It took on the vague form of a human being, the features fea-tures being barely distinguishable. The spirit spoke, In a rolling, sibilant tone, resembling more than a human voice tho booming of the surf on a rocky headland during a great gale. " am the spirit of Myra's father; bid her beware of the Black Order which seeks her destruction !" The glow disappeared, nnd Alden pinched his perspiration-dripping brow to make sure that he was awake! He rushed up the stairway, stair-way, to find the panel closed securely. He pounded upon It, but no one came, finally, in despair, he wrote a note upon a card, shoving it through the tiny crack at the bottom. He waited many minutes with no result. Myra was extremely nervous, as she searched over the house for him. The maid added to her uneasiness by a startled scream. "Oh, M iss Mvra! Look what T found 1 he kitten playing with!" she exclaimed as sho brought the girl the white c.nrd. It took but a minute to liberate the physician, phy-sician, now, and the girl was eager for an explanation. He shook his head, as he regarded re-garded anxiously. "I will tell you some other time. I have made a terrible discovery, and you must bo very brave, for your own sake. Now. I wish vou would come over to my laboratory, where all my instruments are. I want to make an experiment which the last few minutes have proved to me more than ever is essential for our success." Mvra's face beamed wtth interest. "fd just love to do it. I simply must learn more!" Mrs. Maynard was prevailed upon to accompany ac-company them. The family automobile soon brought them to Alden's residence. Within tho sanctum of his psychic laboratory, labora-tory, he was compelled to explain the various instruments, almost before they had removed their wrans. "What Is this queer wheel, with the mirrors and funny lighting arrangement?" demanded the eager Myra. "That is a mechanical hypnotizer," Alden explained. "But let me show you a little instrument in-strument by which you can see the color of a soul." Just at that instant another black envelope en-velope was presented to the Master of the devil-worshippers. In nervous white letters its message ran: "Muster: There In n trnitor nmong uw He telephoned to A Id en. 1 know that voice, but can't remember which one of iih it is "Fniihfully, VAIIXEY." The black paper was crumpled and dropped into the glowing brazier by tho human claw of the evil leader. He called to the master of ceremonies: "Bid the brothers wear their masks to-day and let no plans be discussed within the meeting!" Back in the rooms of the physician Myra was studving with -interest the two glass slides which Alden had taken toward the light. "These two slides constitute an 'auroscope. ' By looking through them you may see the 1 human aura," explained the doctor. "They are in rcalitv tiny, air-tight glass boxes which contain a chcmfcal known as dicyanin. I wiii show vou how to use them. He led tho way into a smaller room, along one wall of whMi hung a dull black canopy. "Now, Mrs. Maynard, you stand up there and your daughter will take a look at your soul !" But Mrs. Maynard was reluctant. "I don't believe any of Ibis silly stuff, and I don't, want my soul on exhibition!" Mvra dimpled as she cried: "Why, mother I "trust you are not afraid of a guilty conscience. con-science. Very well, then; you look at my "U,'sVand over against the curtain." directed Alden. "Now. Mrs. Maynard. look first through the window at the bright light with this red slide, covering both your eyes. Take a long look, and when I pull down the window win-dow shade, turn toward Miss Maynard. look at her through the other blue one, covering your eyes evenly with the. little glass screen as vou did at the window." Mrs Maynard. hesitated, then followed his instruction, but she dropped her hand in disgust. dis-gust. "T see nothing!" she exclaimed. "Here, let me try it." was the unruffled reply. "It's all in knowing how." Alden took a long look through the first slide and then turned toward Myra, covering his eves with the second one. "Will you please pull down the shade.' Mrs Maynard acquiesced. Alden stood there for half a minute without comment. Oraduallv a luminous glow appeared about tho figure of the girl, extending about twelve inches on either side of her. and as far above her head. It wns almost egg-shaped, with the larger end above her forehead. Alden gave an exclamation of satisfaction. "Tome here. Mrs. Maynard!" he cried. "Now look, while I hold the glass!" This time the sceptical lady was surprised. The spirit glow was unmistakably there! "Wonilcrful !" she exclaimed. "I wonder if I can see my own aura?" "You'd better try. Here Is the auroscouc." He handed her tho glasses, and as she peered, owi-like, at the sky. then at her own hands, and feet, Alden beckoned to the girl. "You have the aura of a wonderful psychic. You know, every person has a different aura, or soul envelope, and each one indicates the nature and mental, even spiritual characteristics. character-istics. Would vou like to try another experiment? experi-ment? I wonder if 1 can release your astral body from the material?" "Yes, yes!" While Mrs. Maynard was lorgnetttng herself her-self in a i-heva 1 glass t h rough the d icy an in slides, Alden led the girl to a- comfortable chair. He directed her to look steadily at him. A few passes witli her incentive sympathy sufficed suf-ficed to put her into a hypnotic trance. Alden dire, -d h.--r to hold out her right , hand. TIo hp-.',i to move his hands ab.v her arm, as ilvucli he were trying to draw something from it. It seemed slow at first; but with an intensity in-tensity of concentration wh ion flushed and then whitened his face, causing the beads of (dd perspiration to stand out on his forehead, fore-head, he persisted. At last some vague tchite shadow seemed to emerge from the girl's wrist! Nothing more tangible than a ray of light, at first. Gradually it took the semblance of her o icn hand ! It projected from her arm. a few inches above the rigid flesh and blood hand. "I have succeeded !" muttered the doctor, triumphantly. His face flashed, and he drew still harder with his hypnotic strength. But suddenly tho shadowy replica vanished! van-ished! J , Alden relaxed with a nervous jerk of his muscles like one who hears an unexpected thu nderbolt. Mrs. Maynard was peering at herself through the auroscope before the. mirror. "Look, look ! Isn't it wonderful? I can see it!" she cried in ecstasy. Myra's eyes fluttered and the look of wonderment won-derment iii their azure depths changed to a smile, as she turned to watch her mother. "Poor, dear mamma! She is quite impossible impos-sible in some things, isn't she?" she murmured. mur-mured. "But, please go on. Doctor Alden." Alden looked nervously and doubtfully at Mrs. Maynard, who was having a truly enjoyable en-joyable time. "Mother, you musn't Interrupt our experiments," experi-ments," pleaded Myra. gently. "Oh, my dear, excuse me. But I have such tremendous success," replied Mrs. Maynard, with enthusiasm. "I believe that I have powers which I never suspected!" "Have you discovered your soul, dear? asked the' girl, michlevously. "I feel quite sure that I have." "And Is it a fashionable color?" Mrs. Maynard peered thoughtfully through the auroscope. "It seems to be Alice blue, with a tinge of ashes of roses pink," she ventured, slowly. "That proves that you have a wonderful imagination," commented Alden. "Keep on, Mrs. Maynard, you are on the right track." Mrs. Maynard did not sense the irony, but she kept on. Alden beckoned to the doorway of his laboratory. Myra followed. "Let's try the hypnotizing machine. Your mother will have a little soul trip, personally person-ally conducted to the end of the rainbow, and we won't be disturbed in here.'' Alden led Mvra to a chair in front of the big hypnotizing machine. such as is used for experimental work and psycho-therapeutic treatment in up-to-date hospitals. s ' A - i . : v -, v ; i i ' ; - ' i I "1 " ' , - ' 3 6 ' . ' ' --.' X 4 X f f lJ "I remember men In black, Incense, and " This curious instrument consisted of a great black wheel, placed in front of a lustreless black canopy. It was about seven feet in diameter and placed around its rim were a series of mirrors, about a foot apart, between which were steel rods radiating from the centre. Alden's deft manipulations ot a little central crank caused the apparatus to tilt forward on its axis. Myra regarded it with awe. vet there was an expression of absolute trust in the girl's sweet face which thrilled, and almost frightened. Pay-son Pay-son Alden. "We will fight it out, even though the path be beset with ten thousand occult perils," he thought. "White magic must prevail." pre-vail." CHAPTER XV. A Journey Into the Unseen. Now, Miss Myra, we will try the most interesting in-teresting experiment in the whole psychic world. That is the astral journey. Your hand was projected from your body before. Your aura shows that you are unusually gifted in occult strength. Have no fear." The girl shook her head demurely. "Why should I have, with you to direct? Alden (lushed, although the darkened room prevented the girl from observing his mental men-tal confusion. "You know there is only one danger in projecting the astral body, and that is that the. astral 'thread,' as it is called, be snapped. I must be frank and tell you this," he continued, con-tinued, "for when we know dangers we understand what to avoid. Your subconscious subcon-scious mind will remember what I say. It will be the inner mind which wil guide you If your astral d9.es emerge from the physical." physi-cal." "And where shall I go?" "I do not know. Your mind, your soul alone will determine that. For it knows, all the time, just what it is doing. When the astral leaves the physical body your soul - is freed from the flesh which remains behind and which I will see. The only connection is tho tinv spirit chord which knits the two together. to-gether. When that it broken it means dl"v'en as she spoke Alden had touched an electric switch which caused the wheel to revolve very slowly. Another connection turned on hidden lights which caused facets of light to flash from the circle of mirrors. Mvra looked up at the whirring glasses, which gradually increased in speed ami luminosity lumi-nosity as Alden skillfully manipulated his mechanism. The girl grew rigid and sank back recumbently in the chair. The blood seemed to leave her face, and the muscles to turn to ice. as tho cilcct of tho automatic control increased. Sinwlv Alden stepped between the quiet figure and thu whirring wheel. Then he repealed re-pealed the pulling gestures which hud resulted re-sulted in the projection nf the hand before. Unseen by the physician, a wraith had "melt-d" from the physical envelope of the girl, and stood beside the unconscious body. Kven as the spirit form extended a warning warn-ing hand to him. it seemed to be drawn, like -.n much smoke, through a ventilator fan, into'lhe center of the spinning wheel. Where it had gone, how it had gone, Alden Al-den could not tell! For Mrs. Mavnard had knocked anxiously at the closed door of the laboratory. "What is the m:ittcr with Myra?" she cried excited I v. "Her face Is as pale as snow! Oh doctor, you must not do this! It it a wicked thing to play with life and death anrl the soul this way!" Alden nervously stopped the machine. "Miss Myra, wake up!" he cried, domi-r.a domi-r.a n tly. But there was no answer. He repeated the earlier passes nf hypnotical hypnoti-cal control, but the girl remained as though lifeless. The mother sank to her knees beside the rigid figure, caressing and chafing her wrists and hands. "Myra, Myra! Wake up child!" she wailed, the tears streaming down her face. Alden anxiously pinched her skin, and applied ap-plied a half dozen other tests. There was no nervous reaction whatever. He ran to his desk for his stethoscope. "Her heart Is all right. She is breathing very llghtlv. so faintlv that you can hardly detect it. 'he said finally. "But there is nothing wrong." "Nothing wrong! Why, doctor you're murdering mv child before my eyes!" "Be calm, Mrs. Maynard. Your daughter's astral body has left us, and she is on some strange journey which will mean much to her." lie answered steadily. "What do you mean?" "I believe that she has sent her soul in search of the persons who are persecuting her. You know that she is the victim of a terrible consniracy. You have lost two other daughters in the same way perhaps your husband died at their hands." Tiis voice- was resonant with mastery. Ho fairly thundered at her, as ho added: '"Now, you must help me and help Miss Mvra for her own sake. The time has come for us to face tho truth, without fear.( Be quiet, until we get some sign from her." Mrs. Mavnard looked at him piteously. for the mother instinct was stronger than logic, more urgent than thoughts for the future. Yet there was the professional force in his command, the insistence of the physician, the earnestness, indeed, of a greater emotion than mere scientific interest. Her intuition told her that Payson Alden cared more for her daughter than even he would admit. And so she resigned herself to the inevitable, with a blind faith in his ability to save the situation.. But nature was not to be denied. The shock of Myra's appearance, in its ghastlv replica of the same fate which had overtaken the other two sisters at her age, the mental suffering which the family tragedies trag-edies had kept continually in her mind combined com-bined to bring a snapping of the overtaxed nerves. She fainted, and the physician ran -to her side. He placed her in another chair, and administered ad-ministered first aid, torn between conflicting-emotions. conflicting-emotions. Had ho been studying tile face of his sub- 1 v, . i.h f hiiro mi t- w or? n lion t th i timfl a tremendous quivering of the muscles which indicated that the soul-journey was not all placid! The Black Order, in which it seemed continual con-tinual watchfulness was the rule of Its evil genius, was in session. Obedient to instruction instruc-tion from their ruler, the celebrants wero heavily hooded in the black masks. Only the two small eye-holes betrayed any expression ex-pression of humanity In the sombre-garbed figures which sat motionless about the centre disc. No man knew his neighbor, for there were more members than' the thirteen who usually formed its meeting quota. The leader of ceremonies was refilling the tripod-fane with fresh incense. The pungent vapor arose in grotesque puffs and sinuous curves to the sootv celling. Suddenly one of the group, with a grunt of mingled fright and amazement, nudged his nearest fellow, and pointed toward the smoke above the brazier. The black cloud had become hazy gray in spots and had assumed a startling shape. Tho figure of a young girl, with hands affrightedly clasped, was disccrnable in the shadowy contours. Her appealing eyes were wide with amazement. One by one the brethren of the unholy community drew attention to. the strange phenomena. Used as they were to .strange occurrences, stiil here was something which passed their understanding. And yet the ever-present fear of the Master's punishment punish-ment stilled their tongues! But one of them, the last of the circle to be apprised, sprang unsteadily to his feet. He advanced toward the incense tripod, and drew back his black hood, the better to see the astonishing vision. At first an exclamation of horror escaped his lips, and then he cried out stridently: "By the left hand of Satan !, It is Myra Maynard herself!" His companions rose excitedly, as the apparition ap-parition faded into the darker shades of the smoke. He rushed toward the curtains to the inner chamber. "Master! Master! I must speak to you!" The angry voice replied from within: "Enter, "En-ter, Varney! But I forbade conversation, and 1 commanded all the brethren to wear their hoods!" Arthur Varney, - pressing his hand to his forehead, the victin of two oddly conflicting emotions, groped into the pitchy grotto. The Spectral Head shone, malignantly at him, as its blue light fused with the red glow which gradually disclosed the features of the ruler. "Master! She is here! We all saw Myra materialize in tho incense smoke! What does it mean?" A laugh of exultation, more horrid than even his baleful tones of threatening, hissed through the evil potentate's lips. "How did you see it?" he spoke, eagerly. "She faded into the smoke; I could have sworn tli at it was her ilesh and blood, and yet she disappeared once more!" "It Is her astral body. Varney! Hasten! Tell the brethren to recite the death mantra! Chant and will in unison to break the astral thread! We have victory in our grasp!" Varney turned to -obey; then his heart impulse im-pulse asserted itself again. "Oh, Master! Can she not be spared for me? I love her!" he begged. "Fool! Do you not know that she can be yours for a thousand thousand years after we have taken her soul away. Obey! You learned the penalty once before." varney nesuaiea, ana neaa urooping, n returned to his fellows. He repeated the command : "Chant and will in unison to break the astral thread!" Then, under the guidance of the leader, they swayed back and forth, hissing the cabalistic phrase of occult death'. Each time the celebrants completed the black magic mantra "Om Pari Hum!" they raised their arms, and with a quick jerk pantomimed the gesture of breaking an invisible in-visible thread. Their eyes were intent, upon th rolling smoke clouds. Gradually the form of the miserable girl materialized in the vapors, and her face evidenced evi-denced a frightful struggle against the evil power which was engulfing her. The astral form sank to the position of entreaty en-treaty on bended knees. The piteous look, the pleading arms, the struggle for human existence racked the emotions of Varney; yet. his fear of the great captain of evil within the curtained portal, Ills avaricious trust in that promise of future reward kept him to his task. "Mine for a thousand thousand of years!" he murmured as his voice led the chorus of alt the rest. But unknown to any of the others one. will was fighting them, although the brown hands were weaving the same ominous gestures ges-tures through the air. The Oriental, his erstwhile calm features gnarled In a supreme contortion which echoed the spiritual battle within his soul, was fighting against the psychic momentum, that diabolical undertow, of tho thirteen other souls about him. The Hindoo saw the girl sinking beneath the oppression of the out-numbering will; she was succumbing in this maddening maelstrom mael-strom of devilish tyranny! "She Is a flower crushed beneath the feet of a multitude!" he thought, as ho threw al! the power of his trained mind, Inured to roncentratotion through years of esoteric study in the Far East. "A bird among beasts of prey!" But the astral figure was weakening. The little hands now covered the drooping droop-ing head as though to ward off the blows of the cruel assailants. "She is lost!" muttered the Hindoo; in despair. "We are triumphant!" exclaimed Varney. under h!s breath, as his dark eyes gleamed exultantly. CHAPTER XVI. Prayer "When Science Fnlln. Tr. Alden had returned to the side of the silent body. Mrs. Maynnrd, resuscitated, 'eaned over the white face, stroking the aureate locks tenderly. "Look, doctor"' she exclaimed, almost in a shriek. "See the cold perspiration on her forehead it is dripping wet. Oh, doctor, Mvra is dying!" , She sank to her knees hopelessly. Mother's instinct, the prompting of a thousand thou-sand vears in such a stress, asserted itse. Mrs Mavnard buried her face in her bands on Myra's lap as her lips moved in barely audible prayer. . . . "What can 1 do?" and Alden's lips trembled, for he too had lost faith in his ability to bring back the wandering spirit. He looked about him in nervous frenzy-Then frenzy-Then he too sank to his knees, to add nt entreaties to the mother's. LnwUtinglv they had cast against th spell of the devil worshippers the only antidote anti-dote to that pervasive force; humility, faith, a concentration of white magic power more intense than even the powers of tho spirits fNeUher of them saw the fluttering of the eyelids nor the softening relaxation or tne frigidface But. Myra, as she returnerl to earthly vision, looked down upon tho two flt'Uies gently, not surprised as though it -were tne most nntural act In the world Mother'." she breathed softly. -Mother, I've come hack." "Oh, thank God!" and her mother Burst into hannv tears. "Oh. my little Rirl, touch me, look 'at me, speak to mo. Tell me once V, UlTheKiH1 laughed, weakly it Is true, but with tho old familiar rins in the silvery VTm here, mother hut, oh. it was terrible! I'm so glad to he in your arms once more. Alden mopped his forehead; his face broke into a smile, although a few seconds before he had felt as though he could never smile ilenen'arose stiffly. He leaned for support against his cabinet, for he, too. had been lighting the great battle with a more tremendous tre-mendous outpouring of vital force than he had ever realized was his. .,i Heaven be praised," he said earnestly. "We thought you had gone forever. The girl lifted her arms. Then she frowned. "Oh, how they hurt!" m ... Alden hurried to his desk for some liniment. lini-ment. . He rubbed and massaged the muscles with his inimitable skill as he smiled into her eyes reassuringly. ,i,. Thnv will be all right in a few minutes now. Don't worry about that. The asu ai came back this way first. lou use you' hands to express your emotions so much that thev are more sensitive than any other part of you. body. That is because you are a music.an as well. Do you feel bad any place ""Here," and Myra placed a hand over her heart a bit weakly. "I fee as though something some-thing had been tugging, tugging, oh, to the bl"What do"you remember?" asked Alden apprehensively. "Perhaps that will explain '''Myra closed her eyes reminiscently. She was silent for a minute or two as her mother and Alden bent over her - anxious y. "Can you recall it now?" urged the doctor. "Nothing except Incense. Oh, such horrible hor-rible incense! And men men singing such a queer song; they were all in black. They waved their hands and 'Om Pari Hum . "What' on earth can that be? She looked up at him ludicrously. Alden was puzzled and shook his head. "Doctor Alden, Myra must go home. She is delirious." insisted Mrs. Maynard. Alden nodded understanclingly. Myra rose weakly from the chair, and then another memory came to her. "Oh, yes! I saw this . Khe gave the first and thumb sign of the devil worshippers. Alden's pleasant face was drawn into a scowl of fury as he realized . the significance of this. - He stormed about the laboratory Myra and even her mother were surprised at the teit-sSttat Sxursed Black Order. I'm foinfr there now myself. I'll put an end to this, - he cried, beating one palm with his clenched fl"But Doctor Alden, don't you realize your danger?" pleaded Myra impetuously, a new and surprising light in her eyes, which Alden in his wrath did not notice. "Mvra you must go home with me at once, child,'" interrupted her mother. Alden hurried hur-ried to help her with her wraps. As he, turned to assist Myra the girl s entreaties convinced him that her interest had deepened deep-ened His own hand trembled as he took hers to assure her that he was well able to BU."on'tnbeeafrald, Miss Maynard. I will be very careful. I know the nature of thi menace now far better than you would Imagine, Im-agine, Indeed, far better than I did twenty-YJui twenty-YJui hours ago. So don't worry. We have too much to fight for now, both you and I. for me to risk everything foolishly! The girl dropped her eyes and sighed as heA6!great surge of feeling thrilled Payson Alden as he realized that Fate seemed to be accomplishing more than his most ardent hopes could have done. His wrath was now under control, and as they looked into each other's eyes there was no need for further SPMrsh Maynard realized that here, at last, was a practical demonstration of that telepathy tele-pathy whose existence she had previously, ridiculed. Maternal prudence prompted Intercession. In-tercession. She Caught up Myra's cloak and threw it about the girl's shoulders Alden blinked, as though to waken himself him-self from some unrealizable dream. "Yes ves that's right," he stammered awkwardly. "You must go home and rest. Do not let your mind dwell on these troublesome trouble-some things until we can have another long talk. I win oe auie cu c.mj.c... c,.- j , things then for matters are not as h"pe-lcss, h"pe-lcss, nor as elusive as they have seemed. He followed them to the automobi'e and the lingering touch of the little hand 1T1 his own was a fragrant memory which lingered f cheerlngly through the bitter hours to come. Once in his study again, his face grew icy in its sterni.ess. He opened a desk drawer. - lifted a revolver from it and smiled sienifl- 1 cantly at Its menacing contour. Spirits are spirits," he muttered, "but a little lead poisoning is apt to Prove very soothing to the most turbulent of them! Ill try a little bullet levitation, and I may surprise sur-prise these assassins!" He slipped the weapon Into his hip pocket and hurried to his telephone. "Ah Professor Haji, I am glad to reach vou 'Can you hurry up to my residence? i have many important developments to recount." re-count." There was a musical laugh at the other end of the wire as the Hindoo replied eagerly: "Is she all right. Doctor? I know of much, yet I have flared for the return of the astral. You know if It were drawn back too quickly It might derange the reason, or have a dan-L-erius Physiological, effect. Once, when I projected myself " But Alden interrupted impatiently. "She is splendid. She is a wonderful psychic psy-chic herself, and the experiment was successful, suc-cessful, after all. I have even convinced her., mother of the serious business ahead and. now she believes. But, now 1 must sec you . at once." "Very well, nxv good friend. But I am busy on a new kind of work 1. a high caste lirahmin, am become a common tradesman a tailor, and for my faithful comrade, Dr. Alden!" . The physician was almost irritable. "This is too serious for jesting. I must get into the Black Order Immediately! he reiterated. "Exactly Doctor Alden. And I am now in mv humble lodgings, pricking my thumbs and tlrgeio with needles, as I concentrate with all the strength of a yogi trained mmd upon the tremendous task of duplicating for v!.u mv own costume as a member of tha nivsterious and malevolent organ Izattnn.JVo will enler together as soon as 1 can;-plete can;-plete my task. I will come to you at onve. "Very good. What has happened since vou were admitted?" demanded Alden, eager in spite of his desire for vengeance. 1 "I ceme so near being an accomplice in an astral murder that 1 am still nunlsing, my good friend! I will tell you all about it when I see you." "Ha!" and there was a triumphant ring in tho phvsiolan'a laugh. "I took a hand In the gan'ie myself. ll;ni. But now Tin going into it with both feet and the rest of my . body. Dose no time!" (To bn Continurd.") |
